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.
How long did it take for the age change for other countries such as Ireland, Denmark they’re both 35
Emma
Someone here, I think Jonny, was told by their local MP that their expectation was that the age change would be soon after EIF. If you look at the UK government ad I posted a few days ago they also mention the age change being soon when they could have not mentioned it at all
We still need to wait and see but I think there’s reason to be positive.
I really hope it won’t take 2 years from now to come into force 🙁 I would love to go later this year.
I received an email from the department of immigration and they said it will happen from 1/7/23 to sometime between 2025. So don’t hold your breath
Hi Mark, based on what I have been on twitter today the FTA is likely to be finalised by the end of this month but we are waiting to find out what date the FTA will enter into force (either 30 days later or on a date mutually agreed by both governments)
However, the changes to the WHV can happen within 2 years of the FTA entering into force. We are all anxiously hoping for the changes to happen asap and be announced asap.
Next week will we find out if the agreement is signed and if so will that mean that the age change will happen this year ? Also can you apply for a WHV while in Aus on a holiday visitors visa or do you need to leave the country to apply ?
All this waiting and waiting and waiting has really put me off this whole idea of moving to the UK
Just came back from Asia and have now decided to move to VN instead and teach english. Straightforward process if you have a degree and online teaching certificate. Maybe this long delay has been in a blessing in disguise after all
Nice one losing hope, glad you were able to find a route. VN teaching english sounds much better than coming to the UK. Good luck to you!
Thanks Karl. Good luck to you as well
Australia Backpackers Guide:
Do you have good reason to believe it will be this year? If so can you please share the evidence with us. So far your predictions have proven to be incorrect and you have never provided any evidence to back them up. I find it hard to trust any information you provide.
Dan:
The Danish and Italian age increase was announced by the previous Australian immigration minister online three months in advance. It wasn’t easy to find though. I don’t know about announcements from the other sides.
Is it likely to be changed this year to 35 or is it more likely to be next year ?
Likely to be this year 🙂
I really do hope so! Will they announce a date for the increase in advance or will they just change it randomly one day?
Did they announce a date for the increase with the other countries?
Emma
The MOU both governments signed says that they will introduce the age changes after the FTA enters into force. I don’t really get why both sides agreed to doing it that way. Why not after the deal was signed? At that point the FTA was past the point of no return.
On the plus side the report stage and hopefully 3rd reading of the Trade Bill are in one week and the deal will be much closer to EIF.
Hi, How long did it take for the age increase to 35 for countries like Italy, Ireland, Canada etc after both governments signed legislations ?
It was super quick for them as it concerned only an increase of the age – the FTA is a bit more complex… that s why it is taking so long. 🙁
Is this true? Because from when the laws in Australia were changed to allow for people aged up to 35 to enter on a 417 visa it was 16 months until the first actual age changes occurred. So maybe not super quick.
Do you ever do research or just say whatever you like to keep people engaged and let the comments section do free SEO for you so you can bank the ad revenue?
https://www.immigrationgurus.com.au/working-holiday-visa-age-increase-to-35/
Mitch – I’m planning on going to Brisbane as that’s where my friend is. He will be able to help me get things set up etc. But in all honesty, I don’t care where I end up, as long as it’s Australia…I could be in a tent on the streets for all I care haha.
I’m happy to go to a hostel or even share a house with other people. I’ve been on a rental page that specialises mostly in rentals for backpackers, if I remember what the site is then I will share it here.
There are some really nice rentals, and I’m talking houses not apartments or flats etc. I would like to rent a house with other people like me who have travelled from afar – I can picture it now…4 of us sat out on the porch sharing stories and chatting about how great Australia is.
What cities are you all planning on moving to (if this deal ever gets done) I’ve been seeing the rental market is crazy in Aus but still desperate to go.
Hi Mitch, yes it is getting quite difficult to find accommodation in big cities (mainly) in Australia. Suburbs are still accessible, you can always share a house with other people too … so there are still options don’t worry 🙂
Hi , any update on when the age is going to increase ?
Not so far – keep looking at this page 🙂
I agree Dan, I don’t understand why they haven’t already increased it. My friend is over there just now and said they are crying out for people/jobs so surely this would be a quick and easy solution for that!
That’s exactly what my friend has said. Almost every shop or business he’s been to or passed is looking for workers.
This isn’t a piece of journalism, it’s advertiser content for the UK Government:
“Separately to the deal, the UK and Australia have signed a memorandum of understanding which will soon enable Britons aged 18 to 35 to travel and work in Australia for up to three years”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/exporting-from-uk/australia-trade-agreement/
Good to know!
However, what’s baffling me is that apparently they don’t have to wait for this trade bill to pass to increase the visa age limits, they can up it at any time.
Just wonder why they won’t do it now or should I say, haven’t already upped it?
I think the approval process is normally pretty quick, I’ve heard of some people even get their Aus WHV approved within 24 hours. I waited a week for my NZ one.
Well, when they do decide to change the age for the visas, I bet loads will apply and we’ll have an even longer wait on applications.
I just hope it gets done by the end of the year! Summer would be a bonus
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/travel/travel-news/more-50000-brits-sign-up-29311226?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target
50k brits plan to flee dreary England
To anyone who may be confused by this:
It hasn’t been “swept under the rug”, that’s not how bills work haha. The date of the next stage of the Trade Bill is March 14th.
It’s sitting on top of the rug in a queue with other bills.
So, how’s everyone’s level of optimism that this deal is getting done before June? Or done at all?
Seems it’s been swept under the rug by the UK government
Hi, I`m thinking to apply to the Working Holiday VISA to Australia, I`m Italian and I have 31 years old, but I`m married and my husband is Argentinian, also 31. Is it possible to apply and go together?
Thank you !!!
Hi Sofia, the WHV is personal so you wont be able to ‘include’ your husband on it. Cheers
What could the amendments be to the trade bill ?
Hey Mark you can check those here : https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6928 (mainly regarding the Customs Tariff Amendment). Cheers
The Committee Stage of the Procurement Bill is finished according to its page. Still waiting for a Report Stage date though.
The Australian Ag minister said there were no amendments to the Trade Bill but it would appear there were so it will have to go back to HoC for a day or so after HoL finish with it.
https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3152/news
Think it was reported that the 3rd reading ? Was set for around March 13th ? So doubt we will hear much till mid/late March.
The procurement bill has its report stage on 23rd Feb so that might pass sooner and supersedes the UK-Australia trade bill anyway, right?
I don’t fully understand how the intricacies of the Procurement Bill relate to the FTA but my understanding is that it will yes. Any amendments will have to go back to HoL for approval though. I called HoL when the Trade Bill report date was announced and got told they were busy with some big bills which is why the Trade Bill got pushed to March. So that could impact the Procurement Bill.
I couldn’t find an official date for the Procurement Bill but its news page says it’s expected for the 23rd so hopefully they’ll set a date soon.