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.
Lee- Oh really!? So it is truly possible then to get sponsored relatively easily?
I know I shouldn’t be thinking about things like this yet as I still have to wait for them to change the visa age but it’s all I can think about haha
I was gonna come over as unskilled but I’ve recently in last year and half picked up a role as electrical technician started at 29. Now worked my way up really well and spoke to people on linked in they’re crying out for people in that sector. Don’t need any qualifications or anything. Failing that I know a friend who was doing furniture removal and he got offered a visa. And know a few people falling into jobs they wouldn’t imagine then getting sponsored!
After what seems so long with silence since it passed in parliament, finally starting to hear some good news!
I’m trying to think ahead (maybe tok far ahead!), but how difficult do you think it would be to get permanent residency in Australia?
I’m an unskilled worker with only supermarket work since I left school at 16, I’m now 31. There is no future for me here, can’t get a mortgage, can’t afford to live on my own etc.
Just wondered how realistic I need to be here haha?
Came here to post this too! NZ FTA at the same time so hopefully the Visa rules align with June as well! Buzzing
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-post-brexit-trade-deals-to-come-into-force-this-month-driving-economic-growth-across-the-uk
Official release from UK government
“The agreement is expected to enter into force on the 31 May, subject to finalisation of UK domestic procedures with remaining changes to UK law coming into force at the end of May.”
Judging by the link below, I believe we’ll hear something on the changes and if/when they come into affect during the Australia Budget.
I have had a look and this is due on Tuesday 9th. So not long to wait.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australian-visa-changes-for-2023-2024/8oypo0xui
Nice find Bradley
This looks to be the light at the end of the tunnel finally.
Is it possible to move from an Irish passport Visa into a UK one?
My gf ( 28 y.o) is from Northern Ireland, and has dual nationality – so a UK passport and an Irish one.
Unfortunately she has lost her UK passport – and her new one will take a minimum of 10 weeks to arrive. But we are due to arrive in OZ in 3 weeks!!
She wants to apply now via Irish passport, then transfer onto a UK visa when the new passport arrives. This will allow her to take advantage of the new UK/AU visa rules (when they finally come into action, ofc).
If not, she is considering applying on an emergency UK passport? Anyone got any experience with this?
Any advice would be great, thanks.
Hi Tom, would definitely recommend to go with an emergency UK passport.
I’ve just had a reply from the UK Department for Business and trade;
We are working hard to bring the FTA into force at the earliest opportunity so businesses and consumers can reap the benefits. We expect to be able to bring the agreement into force in Spring 2023. The Government has brought forward the necessary primary legislation in the form of the Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Act 2023, which has now completed its passage through Parliament and has received Royal Assent.
The commitments regarding Working Holiday Visas were taken in a separate side letter which specifies that the changes will need to be implemented within two years of entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement. UK and Australian officials are working together to bring these changes into effect as soon as operationally possible.
No new information but at least the FTA is still looking like the next few months. I thought we’re already out of spring with it being May – but maybe not!
They’ve caveated the WHV timeline difference again – although my previous response form the Aus government has said all the Aus technicalities have already been completed. Clearly the UK can make a change quickly when they want to (NZ WHV) … guess we’re still none the wiser really!
That’s good that all the Australia technical processes are completed already for the visas as it’s the removal of farm work we were concerned about. UK doesn’t have to do much as they will just increase the age. Fingers crossed it’s being discussed now as both PM are in London together now
They should get it done and relieve us of our anxiety
NZ change was done efficiently and quickly
I agree mate! I hope they confirm more details over the next few days
Anthony Albanese has just arrived in London and said on his Instagram that ahead of the kings coronation him and Rishi will be discussing the FTA so hopefully one of the subjects discussed is the visa changes and we hear something soon!!
I’m not subscribed to The Australian Financial Times but this is the first bit I could see.
Australia and the UK’s free trade agreement is poised to come into force midyear, with Britain aiming to finalise its legislative paperwork by the end of May, UK Investment Minister Dominic Johnson says.
Hopefully comes in sooner I’m starting to plan my south east Asia trip then Sydney for Christmas!
.
Yeah there isn’t much else to read about at the moment to be fair. I think we will find out more in the coming week though.
It’s a stunning as I remember it! I have been going down the east coast on the greyhound coach and heading to Sydney this afternoon. I’m in Brisbane and it’s really sunny and warm! Can’t complain!
Does this mean age range or will this be the 3 years without farming as well. I’ve always been apprehensive with the farming one because I’d of thought they’d want to try hold out longer for this change ?
It will happen at the same time mate. To be fair I’m here now and loads of backpackers are struggling to find farm work so by releasing the UK citizens from doing these jobs will free them up for other backpackers from other countries I guess.
Thanks for the update Jonny!
With the FTA as good as done and NZ announcing the age change for July I haven’t been doing much reading about all of this recently.
How are you finding life in Aus?
By Visa changes, do you think they mean the age change? Or do you reckon the removal of farm work will come alongside that or at a much later date?
Hi Alex, everything should come into force at the same time (visa changes and goods and services changes). Cheers
I messaged the head of forgein policy at the British chambers and they said the FTA is coming into place end of May so hopefully FTA start of July
hello ☺️ did they say they hoped the visa changes to be July?
they said NZ will be July and as it is the australia and NZ free trade agreement they are hoping AU will also be July
Can u paste the comment, jonny?
Hi guys, I just saw a post on Facebook and someone contacted the head of foreign policy and they told them the deal will come onto force at the end of May and that they hope for the visa changes to happen in July because NZ have already confirmed it. Hopefully this is true!
Jonny
Once the changes are made you can apply from inside if you’ve already had a 417 visa.
Hi Charles! Hope you’re well mate?
Yeah I have had a 417 visa years ago so I’d be applying for my 2nd visa ☺️
It’s says on Scenario 1 that you can apply within or outside of Australia so maybe it’s another thing that’s changing?
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/latest-news/arrangements-uk-passport-holders
Hi guys, so I’m in Australia now on a tourist visa. If the changes do happen on 1st July. Does anyone know if I can apply from inside the country or do I need to leave and apply?
Need to apply from outside of Australia, so will need to leave and apply: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/first-working-holiday-417
Over 50% come back within 1 day, but I guess there could be an additional delay with the first few months of the updated rules?
Loads will have happened. Just nothing that we’ve heard about
Don’t sweat it. Announcement in the next month is most likely. The odds that the U.K. government were ever going to achieve the minimum notice period of 30 days were non-existent. I don’t think the Kings coronation will have any significance in government policy making but anytime up to/around then in May is possible.
I think we might get more updates after the kings coronation and 6th May… Well I hope!
It’s nearly a month since the UK ratified.
Absolutely zero had happened since
So much exciting activity and now…nothing. 🙁
Raksha, I’m wanting to work out there and eventually get permanent residency! That’s the plan anyway.
SHame I can’t go now as my friend who’s currently out there manages a business and struggling to fill a position he said I could have if only I could go now!
Hoping there will be some news shortly which will announce the date for the changes. If not, I’m debating going to NZ instead after July.
Anyone else thinking the same thing (NZ instead?)?
Dan this sounds great! I’m looking to find some work out there whilst on my travels within the architectural field fingers crossed!
From what Jonny has said it does sound hopeful which is great! Just wondering when to start applying for jobs to get a good chance tbh!
NZ sounds like a fab idea to go for a polite visit haha it’s in my list for sure!!
Haha you guys are funny…everything crossed hope it works out for us!
Are you both wanting to work or having a working holiday out there now?
Hi Raksha, no official date so far so we are guessing July.