Australia’s Working Holiday (subclasses 417 & 462) program offers young travelers the opportunity to explore the country while funding their adventures through short-term employment. Recent changes have extended the age limit for certain nationalities, allowing more individuals to take advantage of this unique experience.
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Age Limit Increased to 35 for Some Nationalities
Countries with age increased
This is great news for travellers over 30 years old from a few countries! Indeed, the age eligibility for applying for an Australian Working Holiday Visa expanded to 35 years for some nationalities!
- In 2018, Working Holiday Visa Australia age limit increased to 35 years for Canadian and Irish citizens.
- In 2019, it was France that announced the same change !
- Since 2022 the age limit for Italian and Danish citizens wanting to work and travel in Australia has also increased by five years – from 30 to 35 years of age. Australian citizens up to the age of 35 will also benefit from reciprocal arrangements with Italy and Denmark.
- And finally, since July 2023, the age limit increased to 35 years for UK passport holders!
Migration Act Extract
Those changes can be seen in Schedule 1—Countries or regions, passport conditions and age requirements in the instrument Migration (Arrangements for subclass 417 visa applications) Instrument (LIN 22/051) 2022 and Migration (Arrangements for subclass 417 visa applications) Amendment Instrument (LIN 23/047) 2023.
It is also noted on the immigration website under the ‘age condition’ for a WHV.
Australian legislation clearly defines the age limit for Working Holiday visa makers :
(2) The applicant:
(a) holds a working holiday eligible passport of the kind, or of one of the kinds, specified in a legislative instrument made by the Minister for the purposes of this subclause; and
(b) is aged at least 18 and no more than:
(i) 35; or
(ii) if a younger age is specified in the instrument mentioned in paragraph (a) for the kind of passport the applicant holds—that younger age.
Therefore if no age is specified, it means that the age limit is 35 years old.
Other partner countries (such as Germany) are still in the process to amend the bilateral Working Holiday Maker agreement expanding the eligibility age to 35.
In Summary: 🧑🎓 Who Can Apply Up to Age 35?
As of 2023, citizens from the following countries can now apply for a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) up to the age of 35 (inclusive):
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- France
- Ireland
- Italy
- Denmark
For all other eligible countries, the age limit remains at 30 years.
For UK Passport Holders 🇬🇧
The UK – Australia Free Trade Agreement has entered into force and the age limit for UK passport holders has been increased to 35 since July 2023.
With the agreement, UK passport holders are able to:
- apply for a Working Holiday visa between the ages of 18 and 35 years inclusive since 1 July 2023
- can be granted up to three separate Working Holiday visas without having to meet any specified work requirements. These arrangements apply to all Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa applications lodged by UK passport holders on or after 1 July 2024.
UK passport holders, including those who previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa using a different eligible passport, do not have to meet the specified subclass 417 work requirement when applying for a second or third Working Holiday visa on or after 1 July 2024.
More info : UK – Australia FTD
Key Points About the Age Limit
- Application Timing: You must apply for the WHV before your 36th birthday.
- Visa Granting: It’s acceptable if the visa is granted after you turn 35, as long as the application was submitted before your 36th birthday.
- Multiple Visas: Eligible individuals can apply for up to three WHVs, each requiring specific regional work (UK passport holders exempted).
Extending Your Stay: Second and Third WHVs
People currently on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia (subclasses 417 or 462) and over 30 years old, are eligible to apply for a second or third year visa if they are from France, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Denmark and UK.
For Subclass 417 visa holders, you’re eligible to apply for a second year if you have completed three months (or 88 days) of specified work in regional areas of Australia during your first year visa. This work often includes farming, fishing, mining, and construction. Holders of a second Subclass 417 visa can apply for a third year by undertaking six months of specified work in specified regional areas during their second year.
For Subclass 462 visa holders, a second year is possible if you complete three months (or 88 days) of specified work in northern Australia in certain industries, including tourism and hospitality, agriculture, forestry, and fishing. As with the 417 visa, a third year is possible for 462 visa holders who complete six months of specified work during their second year.
Benefits of the WHV Program
- Work Opportunities: Engage in various short-term jobs to fund your travels.
- Cultural Exchange: Experience Australian culture firsthand.
- Travel Flexibility: Explore Australia’s diverse landscapes and cities.
- Extended Stay: Possibility to extend your stay up to three years with additional regional work.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/630917/sponsors/new?token=sdkdcecUVLZAGYsMR5kU
I have created this petition for the changes to happen on EIF. Anyone in the UK needs to sign it so we can be heard!!
Actually, I need 5 Signatures then they will update me and request another 21 signatures before sharing it more widely…
I will let you all know when to start signing haha
Hi,
Previously left a comment but I can’t see it now, apologies if it comes up twice.
I stayed in Australia on a 1-year WHV back in 2013. I am 33 now and plan to apply again when the age limit changes.
Does anyone know if having previously held a WHV will have an affect on my application under the newly proposed regulations?
Thanks in advance.
Marc
Hi Marc, replied to your other comment. Cheers
We can all keep a close eye on the process of the trade bill going through the house of lords and loyal accent on this link.
The 2nd reading stage is tomorrow so fingers crossed it quickly moves onto the next stage after tomorrow. 🙂
https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3152
Well, I thought I’d missed something there…I thought it had gone through and was confirmed. I almost cried thinking I could apply for my visa last night lol
Hi,
I completed a 1-year 417 WHV back in 2013 then left Australia and only returned as a tourist.
I am 33 now and hoping to apply again when the age limit changes.
Does anyone know if having already had a WHV in the past affects applying for 2nd under the new regulations proposed?
Thanks in advance if anyone knows.
Hi Marc, no it wont be an issue and you will be able to apply for a second year (even if you didnt do the regional work). Cheers
Yes, it’s wrong. Newspapers and blogs have been incorrectly reporting this for more than a year. It’s frustrating as it takes a couple of minutes to go to the link below and confirm it.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/first-working-holiday-417#Eligibility
Has this guy written his blog incorrectly? It says in the first part that the age for UK citizens has already gone up!? This is wrong surely?
https://www.canzukinternational.com/2023/01/australia-to-raise-age-limit-for-working-visas.html
Johnny,
Great idea. Thanks. Between your local MP and the Aussie Minister for Immigration we will hopefully get some clarification. If your MP doesn’t know for sure maybe he can direct you to someone who might or ask them himself.
They both should be back at work on Monday.
Unfortunately, being a UK citizen, I can only find that Australia will be the only country I could get a WHV (once the age change happens) in.
According to a table of visa ages, all other countries require you to be 30 or under, if you are UK citizen that is.
Hi everyone,
I have emailed my Local MP again to ask for some kind of inside information haha.
The last time I emailed him he advised once the FTA was in force we would be able to go by the new visa rules and his understanding was the changes would be made straight away, however what we are reading online is conflicted what he said.
I have asked the direct question of why would either government delay making the changes happen straight away.
Also, I have asked if there is an specific dates being talked about regarding when they want to make the changes.
Let’s see what comes back.
https://www.canzukinternational.com/2023/01/australia-to-raise-age-limit-for-working-visas.html
Nothing helpful but they want to raise the age to 50
Always have a plan b and c
I always think of the worst so anything better is a bonus – I am trying to stay hopeful that the age change will come into effect soon. Like you say, it was pretty much first discussed in 2020 so they may think to themselves that it’s been long enough now so lets just change it now.
Thinking of changing my name to ‘Clinging on to hope’ lol.
First comments for this age change were July 2020. It is now Jan 2023 and this still hasn’t been changed yet. I think everyone needs to plan for the eventuality that this won’t come into effect until 2025. It’s becoming a farce.
Surely the fta for 2025 is more to do with the deal with the meat trade as that’s gonna take a while to come into affect and plan ?
Wouldn’t of thought they would change the 35 cap within the year as they’ve done that with other countries so can’t see that being an issue.
The 3 years without farm work work is the issue I’m worrying about as I will have to farm for 3 months then hope deal comes in time for the 3rd year.
Everything’s hearsay until it official so let’s hope we get the news in a week or two.
I agree Lee, the issue is probably scrapping the farm work whilst the agriculture sector is crying out for backpackers. However, they have introduced other countries in the WHM scheme so I’m hoping this should fill the gap a bit.
We all need to just wait and see what both governments officially announce when the FTA comes into force I guess. Fingers crossed
Extremely disappointing news if true.
Looks like I’ll have to apply for the Ireland or Canada WHV in the next couple of weeks.
Yeah I agree, the big question is when does both governments want to actually implement the visa changes.
I’m hoping behind closed doors they have already decided they will make the changes quick.
Yeah, looking at the screenshot the email was sent a couple of days ago. :/
Barring anything totally unexpected the FTA will enter into force in Q1 2023. The only step remaining is for the Trade Bill to get passed by the House of Lords and get Royal Assent. Given the time other bills have taken from second reading to Royal Assent this could be anytime between mid-January and mid-March. Even if it were to take as long as the slowest bills passed last year (which I think is unlikely) it would still be passed in Q2. I don’t think the issue is when the FTA goes through but when the governments decide to implement the visa changes.
Jonny, was that email from the Dept of Foreign Affairs sent recently?
No worries, Jonny
We should get a clearer picture by the end of January as to what will happen.
There was a commentator on here before who contacted a UK minister and said that once the deal entered into force the visa age changes would happen quickly. There’s so much misinformation with this, it’s so hard to plan your life. This is become a joke.
Yeah that was me I contacted my local MP and that’s what he said.
This is why I think it’s best we just wait for an official announcement as there is a lot of conflicting information out there.
Fingers crossed we hear something worth getting excited about soon.
Also, what Facebook page are you looking at with such information?
Jonny, that’s horrible news if true.
Looks like I need to be making alternative arrangements
Yeah it’s not what I want to hear either however, it wasn’t a definite just what they expect.
The page is Australia backpacker’s info
I think it’s both governments that will make the decision and the last thing was they expected the deal to enter into force by Spring so that’s the end of Q1 so not sure why they are saying Q3 :/
Still haven’t received any response yet from the immigration minister.
This is all sounding very positive!
Just a reminder to contact Andrew Giles and ask him when the age change will happen for anyone who hasn’t already. He should be back in the office today.
Thanks to everyone who already has. Never underestimate the power of a noisy minority to make a change!
A link to his contact details can be found in my previous post.
Hopefully we get a reply from him with some positive info!! 🙂
Hi everyone,
I have just seen a screenshot of an email that someone posted on Facebook and it’s a reply from the Australian department of foreign affairs advising the changes will happen within 2 years of EIF and said they expect the changes to become live between Q3 2023 and Q1 2025.
I’m not sure what to think of this because surely the FTA will be in force before Q3 2023?
Not the best news but I’m not sure if this department just take orders from the Government? So, maybe they just don’t know much more than we do?
This is all sounding very positive!
Just a reminder to contact Andrew Giles and ask him when the age change will happen for anyone who hasn’t already. He should be back in the office today.
Thanks to everyone who already has. Never underestimate the power of a noisy minority to make a change!
https://www.andrewgiles.com.au/contact/
Thanks Charles, as usual 🙂