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.
Great, some positive signs. It’s still just a waiting game as to when the date changes.
And here is the bit relevant to us:
Working Holiday Maker Program Visa and Youth Mobility schemes
6.192 The Parties permit citizens aged between 18 and 35 to participate in their
respective Working Holiday Maker and Youth Mobility schemes and remain
in the country for a maximum of three years without being required to
undertake specified work during their stay. Individuals under either scheme
could apply to switch to an alternate visa route where a longer length of stay
may be granted, subject to meeting the relevant criteria.257 The AUKFTA
provides for an increase of the existing cut off age for these schemes to 35.
Nothing on date of implementation but it’s acknowledged at least.
The JSCOT has published their report on the UK-Aus FTA
This is recommendation 2:
8.42
The Committee supports the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.
This was pretty mush inevitable but still encouraging.
https://www.just-food.com/news/australia-free-trade-deal-not-good-for-uk-says-former-minister-eustice/
Not trying to be negative, but what impact will this have? Why is a former minister coming out and saying this, and possibly derailing the whole thing? What is his intention
I saw that too. From what I understand he’s just voicing (a justified) opinion. The deal really is much better for one side than the other. Fortunately for us it’s likely to have zero impact. The current UK Prime Minister has already said that the deal is bad for UK farmers but the government will be going ahead with it.
Long story short; the ramifications of the UK dropping out of this deal – not just with regard to Australia but every other country it needs to negotiate deals with in the future – are not worth it.
So it will be going ahead.
Charles, let’s hope its immediately in effect. This has been dragged on for too long
I hope so too. Fingers crossed.
Charles, let hope they don’t ratify, don’t think they will with all reports about them getting a better deal then the U.K!
Hi Lee
To ratify it would mean they sign off on their side which would put it half way towards entering into force. So I hope they do ratify their side.
I’m 29y/o from UK and have received my first WHV.
I’m desperate to leave UK and go out to Aus. I’m thinking of going after Christmas.
However I want to stay for the 3 years (no farm work) rather than 1 year with farm work still in place.
Is it risky to go hoping for the new change to occur at some point in my first year during 2023? I really don’t want to come back after 1 year.
Karl
The necessary work is only 88 days and it doesn’t have to be farm work. There’s a list of all of the types of work that meet the requirements online.
The JSCOT report on the UK-Aus trade deal is due to be released tomorrow.
Once the report is out the Australian government can ratify their side of the deal. If the same rules apply as the submarine deal they don’t even need to respond to the report before ratifying.
Hi Charles, appreciate the update. Where did you seen information? Struggling to find any clear updates on the agreement.
Yes pls share Charles 🙂
Hello I’m 34 years of age, and I’m wanting to go on a working holiday visa to Australia whats the age limit I was going with a company but thry said thry are waiting for new visa to be despatched any other visas thaf I could apply for to get me out there.
Hi there,
Age limit still 30 atm. You can apply for a student visa 🙂 there s no age limit. Cheers
I am Canadian, applied for 1st year WHM at 35 (the day before I turned 36). I was granted it and 11 months has passed. I am now 37 and going to Aus in the next month (before entry expiry). Assuming I complete farm work while there, can I apply for a second visa?
Hi B,
No you wont be able to apply unfortunately as you ll be over the age limit.
Hi there,
Was it approved one day before turning 36? Or did you apply and then it was approved after?? I am wondering if I can wait until the last minute to apply or if I should apply a few months in advance. Thanks!
You can apply until the day of your birthday 🙂
I don’t blame you for wanting to leave the UK. Its an absolute mess
Just a thought, but hear me out hahaaha…
Should we all write letters to the PM asking him if he would kindly sign the agreement so some of us can leave UK to go somewhere better?
Hahaha, I fully support this!
https://www.sheepcentral.com/political-turmoil-set-to-disrupt-australia-uk-fta-ratification/
Further delays expected. Not looking good .
That article just says that the political situation in the UK “could lead to further delays” and that there are concerns about it. It also mentions that Albanese “said he would be speaking to Liz Truss’ successor about having the appropriate parliamentary processes moved through their respective parliaments.”
So there are no confirmed delays.
I appreciate that you’re frustrated and want to vent but maybe you could take it easy on the negative posts. We all want the same thing which is for this deal to go through ASAP and get where we want to be so maybe you could consider the effect your posts might be having on other people’s outlooks.
Thanks for sharing. Other articles are actually saying the same… delays to be expected because of the political situation in UK 🙁
I don’t think this deal is ever coming into effect
Hi there, I’m from Ireland and looking to move to Australia on a WHV but want to take my wife and 3 kids with me , is there a different visa for familys? Cheers
Hi Shane,
You can check the TSS visa or if you have family in Australia a potential sponsoring. Cheers
Hello
I have my first year visa accepted, and my entry date is before 10th December 2022.
I am going to struggle to make it out there before this date this year due to my current situation.
Am i able to push it back to next year, Feb/March time?
Please let me know if/how i can do this
Thanks!
James
Hi James, if you do not enter Australia prior expiry of your visa, you will need to apply for a new one. Cheers
Something I can’t seem to find out is:
I am currently 31 years old (UK). If the trade deal officially goes through and I am then 32 years old, I can get the 1st WHV and once it ends I’ll be 33. In that time frame, will I still be able to get the 3rd one if I am over the age of 35?
Or does it basically mean I have to get all 3 visas applied for and worked through before I am 36?
I desperately want to go to Aus and hopefully get PR there. This country has had it I’m afraid.
Thanks 🙂
I’ve given up on this. There’s patience and then there’s being realistic. I turn 36 in August next year so time is of the essence. Absolute joke.
They are still dragging their feet with this. Absolutely annoyed
Hi. Does anyone know if the UK changes government, will that affect or stop this uk-australia FTA?
🙁 we don’t
Hi providing that the age limit increase to 35 years old for UK citizens is taking its time and it is uncertain of final dates. Are there any other options for 31+ year olds to come to Australia to work? IS permanent residence the only option?? would love to know more struggling to find info online
thanks 🙂
Hi Alix you can check the student visa (but you ll have to be enrolled and you can only work limited hours per week). Cheers
My god this thing is taking forever. Albo keeps talking about letting more immigrants in but putting these plans into effect seems to be taking forever
Hi, I’m Italian, just turned 35. I got my first WHV back in 2017, as the age limit recently changed, will I be able to get a second WHV? I didn’t not complete 88 days of farm work. Thanks
Hi Hazel,
Unfortunately the Italian citizens but you need to complete the 88 days to renew (only UK passports holders will be exempted in the future). Cheers
Hola! Soy una española de 34 años que esta pensando en solicitar la WORK AND HOLIDAYS, sé que han prolongado el visado hasta los 35 años, pero no sé si para ciudadanos españoles esto es posible o se mantienen la solicitud para personas de 18 a 30.
Gracias.
Un saludo.
Patricia.
Hi Patricia,
The WHV is available for Spanish citizens up to 30 yo. If you hold a passport from another country, you may be able to apply for a WHV if the age limit is higher. Cheers
Yeh but will the age limits change.
Yes definitely but the date still unsure!