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.
I keep checking daily for any update on the visa changes but like you said, it’s all old information.
I do think they will wait for the deal to officially enter into force and then set a date for the visas. I don’t think it will be 2 years down the line but maybe I’m just trying to convince myself otherwise haha
Hi Emma, do you know if there is any offical postings about this? Already spent a year in NZ, but this was my back up option if Oz didn’t get it done in time.
I can’t seem to find much, it’s still all the old information. Without the updated rules which will come into effect 31st June.
Hi Dan – yes you can do a NZ WHV then an Australian one.
But as I did one month of my NZ WHV in March 2020 they will not let me reapply for a second year in NZ 🙁
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/good-news-for-australians-seeking-uk-working-holiday-visa/video/a62d612a3adeb0289979a0dc48392714
Sooo confused
It is all so confusing! Have anyone contacted either government for clarity on the WHV changes ? As the Aussie PM has twice now made it appear that changes will be made collectively, however, as already stated by many posters there is still the ‘within 2 years’ language circulating around media :S! Think my head is about to fall off!
Jonny, I also just spent 3 months in Melbourne on a tourist visa/trip to Asia, waiting around. I’m now back in Leicester working to regenerate funds to hopefully return to Aus to work at end of British summer…hope it works out for us!
I had a response today and they said within 2 years of 31st May then I have just seen this video of the PM confirming the changes will happen… I need to see it on the gov website before I believe anything.
I’m also concerned there is no mention of the removal of farm work as it was 13 years ago since I did my farm work and I don’t have payslips etc anymore as I didn’t think I’d ever be able to come back!
You have done the same as me! I was travelling through Asia and Bali then I arrived here at the beginning of April and praying I don’t have to fly home and come back later in the year (if the changes happen before Christmas) I’m 35 now so I only have until next March before I’m going to be too old…again haha!
What month do you think you will come back out?
Yeah I watched that video too and it could be seen as confirming the changes will be made when the trade deal comes into force, but could also just be him listing the benefits going forward without specifics :/
Yeah I didn’t want to have to pay for all of the flights either, but it’s at least opened up a summer in the UK…attending a few festivals will comfort me XD!
I’m hoping to fly back September 1st. Fingers crossed! Looking likely we wont hear anything until May 31st now though, unless they recognise people are waiting around for this information and release something sooner.
Heres to hope..!
Seen article that Australian prime minister is in trouble for falsely telling U.K. and Aussies that the 2 no farming visas will come in this month which is actually incorrect.
Can you do one in NZ and then the three in Aus?
Yep – seems that way from the response I got from the NZ PM’s office
You can only apply for it once. Whereas Australia are going to be allowing people that have been before to apply for their 2nd or 3rd years.
So, NZ are only increasing the age, not the amount of WHV’s you can have is that right?
*under the new agreement
For news on the FTA – please check https://www.australia-backpackersguide.com/uk-australia-free-trade-deal-changes-working-holiday-visas/
I have dual passports – Can I apply for a 2nd year WHV on a British passport inser the new deal if my first WHV was on an Irish passport?
Hi Grace, no it is not possible in practice to apply with 2 different passports…
I got confirmation via email from NZ PM’s office that the NZ WHV will still only be a once in a lifetime visa 🙁 so now Aus is my only option
What does that mean, once in a lifetime visa?
There’s no mention of the date for visas. Just implementation of the FTA.
We need actually government postings now, not articles. We’ve seen articles before claim dates which haven’t through. I.e when the deal was first signed.
Are you talking about the FTA or the visas?
Check the homepage guys theres are more recent thread and conversation
My money is on 1st July 2023
It just makes sense
Hi there, ABC News just posted an article stating it will be in place by the end of May! See article for the link
Where is the article? I can’t find it
I’m not so convinced by that Bradley – politics always moves slowly and the labour shortage in NZ is slightly more acute than in Aus which may have been a driver. The whole FTA has been sat on for two years and only moved quickly in the past two months. It could be that there’s an absolute shocker waiting for us all but I don’t think the events so far points to this. I don’t know the exact timescales between when the Danish/Italian/Irish increase to 35 was announced/implemented but that would be a good comparison to make.
No wording I’ve found points to being so confident of imminent implementation.
I’ll be happy to be proven wrong.
ABC News just posted an article stating it will be in place by the end of May! See article for the link
I think if it was imminent guys we’d have got a date by now, much like we have for the NZ situation.
The constant “within 2 years” is excruciating and I can only think that this has been factored in with an underlying cause.
These bloody politicians have had our lives on hold for 2 years now and we still don’t have a date.
We can only sit and wait and hope for some positive news.
Yeah I hope we hear more over the next week and get a confirmation date. I really don’t see the benefit of them waiting 2 years without sound bias!
ABC News just posted an article stating it will be in place by the end of May! See article for the link
Correct me if I’m wrong but surely it wouldn’t benefit the age changes to commence within 2 years?
People will just think, OK, I’ll go to NZ instead.
I think because an official date hasn’t been set yet, they are just quoting the 2 year thing.
I reckon it will happen this year… Well, I’m praying more like!
So I’m reading as many news articles as I can. I think the main take away from the current situation is that only the FTA is confirmed for 31st May but still nothing specific has been about the WHV. Although there are hundreds of news outlets reporting on it, I think they are all referencing the official UK/Aus Government statements which include the 2 year caveat. So the constant repetition of this fact isn’t bad OR good – it’s all come from the same source.
Apparently Albanese and Sunak have two meetings today to discuss timescales – coupled with the Aussie Federal budget on Tuesday next week. I’d imagine we’ll still have to wait until next week until anything is confirmed. Fingers crossed though – I think the NZ change should keep us positive though 🙂
I am seeing a few outlets quoting the “within two years” phrase!
God forbid this isn’t the case. We’ve waited long enough!!!
My partner has done a first year working Holliday visa on an Irish passport in 2018 and did not complete the farm work . They now have also a British passport , will they be able to apply for a second year working holiday visa from Ireland or would it be need to be applied on the British passport ?
Hi Clio, the only way of getting a second-year is to meet the conditions of getting one. Cheers
I’m turning 35 in 2 weeks . If it kicks in May 31 will I still be able to apply before I turn 36 ?
Hi Clio, yes it should be the case and yes you will be able to apply. Cheers
Looks like we are the winners now!!!
https://anzuk.blog/visa-update-aus-uk-free-trade-agreement/
The long-awaited changes to the UK and Australian working holiday visas have been confirmed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese & we finally have good news to share!
We are pleased to announce that Anthony Albanese has confirmed that the agreement will be in place by the 31st of May, with the age eligibility changing up to the age of 35 instead of under 31 and extending the length of the visa from the current 2 years, up to 3 years.
This means that more Australians will be eligible to access the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, and be provided with a longer period of time to gain valuable work and life experience as well as being able to explore the UK and Europe for longer – a win-win for all!
We anticipate that for those who are currently on a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, you will be able to apply for an extra year, but this is yet to be confirmed.
These changes will also benefit UK travellers coming to Australia with the same increase in age limit and being able to work throughout their stay of up to 3 years – this is still to be confirmed by the Australian and UK Governments.
There is yet to be a formal release, but the Australian Prime Minister has made this announcement and we will be updating this blog as more information comes through.
Wow, finally!
yeppp
I subscribed the the Australian newspaper just so I could read this article.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pronounced “it is game on,” as the United Kingdom-Australia free trade deal is fast tracked to come into force at the end of this month, resulting in three year working visas between the two countries, as well as more jobs and exports.
Mr Albanese said the changes to the labour market as part of the free trade agreement would mean UK citizens up the age of 35 can obtain three year temporary visas to Australia and vice versa.
Previously the one year working holiday visa for UK citizens was for an initial 12 months and only for people up to the age of 30.
“If you are a UK citizen or a local Londoner as part of the FTA we will change some of the labour market, so that instead of being 30 years of age to get that temporary visa, it will increase it up to 35 in both countries, and extend it to three years so that people can come here and get that real experience over a longer period of time,’’ Mr Albanese said as he visited an Australian-themed store Bondi Green in Paddington on Thursday. Mr Albanese said the final processes of the FTA were being passed through the British parliament on Thursday so that on Friday when he meets with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the work will be completed before the coronation.
“You always need a deadline,’’ Mr Albanese said.
“And this afternoon, literally today, some of the processes in the UK parliament are being completed so that tomorrow when I meet with Prime Minister Sunak at Number 10 Downing Street, we will be able to complete the FTA timetable so that this month it will come into force on the 31st of May.
Doesn’t say it will be within 2 years so maybe we are getting the visa changes soon??
Fingers crossed, Jonny
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-05/australia-uk-free-trade-deal-complete-takes-effect-within-weeks/102306654
This article specifically mentions the age changes
Only for Australians but yes it will apply to both nationalities