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.
Hi, I got delayed getting to Aus because of COVID. I’m just about to turn 32 and made it here for my first year WHV (UK citizen). It looks like I’m too old to apply for the 2nd year, is this the case? If so I won’t stress finding the right work.
Hopefully the new 35 visa kicks in and I can switch over to that one, but guess no news on how that works yet?
Hi Hannah, for now yes you are over the age limit. But once the FTA enters into force you ll be able to renew (without working in eligible jobs). Cheers
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-07/uk-signs-third-us-state-trade-pact-in-absence-of-a-broader-deal
UK signed a trade deal with the US
As usual, the Australian FTA was scruitined
Fingers crossed, Charles.
Jonny,
All the info about the second WHV can be found here:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/second-working-holiday-417
75% of applications are processed in eight days or less so getting one from outside wouldn’t take very long if you were in a rush to get to Australia.
We might find it gets ratified even sooner than late January given the third reading of the Procurement Act is in a week.
Thank you Charles! I really hope so 🙂
You’re welcome. Me too!
I predict the deal will be ratified by the end of January and will enter into force 30 days after (end of Feb/beginning of March)
I’m 34 and already had one WHV in Australia and I leave home to start travelling South East Asia at the end of January and praying the visa changes happen before June 2023 and I can apply for my 2nd WHV while I’m travelling.
Does anyone know if I would be able to enter Australia on a tourist visa and apply for my 2nd WHV while in Australia? (Providing thebl changes have happened)
Thanks
Jonny
“It’s an exciting time to host Lord Ian Botham, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Australia. We have huge momentum with the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement due to enter into force early next year and CPTPP negotiations progressing. If you are a British company looking to expand then come to Australia!”
sooooon!
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lord-ian-botham-visits-australia-to-boost-trade
Thanks for sharing
Bradley
I’m trying to read up on the Procurement Act and how it will enact and superseed the Aus/NZ bill. Have you got any links that would be useful? I think I’m probably looking in the wrong places. Thanks in advance.
Thanks Charles
I still plan to go. But cannot wait around forever for this to be enacted. So I have Canada as plan B
You’re welcome. It’s always good to have a plan B.
To be honest the only thing I noticed as being different in the UK is that some people and media outlets now more openly display their bigotry and lack of compassion. Which is a disappointing.
Oh, and you can get in trouble for holding up anti-royal signs which is both terrifying and hilarious.
Having said that it’s one of the biggest economies in the world, has a lot of nice people, a lot of diversity, it’s pretty high up freedom indexes (not counting the royal nonsense) and even has a few days of sun a year. So it’s not all bad.
Losing hope I really don’t know why you’re stressing about the UK! It’s an absolute *hitshow of a county.
I assumed you were trying to get to Australia. Honestly explore the Canada option!
Couldn’t agree with you more Karl. I actually thought you (Losing Hope) were trying to escape the UK…not come to it.
Economy is f**ked, housing market is, job market is horrendous, weather cant make its mind up, police are now woke and too afraid to do anything, stabbings in London left right and center, cant park anywhere for free except your own driveway. Did I miss anything out?
But I guess it’s one of those Grass is greener things?
Agree guys, I must be mad
Also I hear illegal immigration is rampant over there and the country is unrecognisable as a result
Try and convince me otherwise haha
Net migration is at an all time high which would imply there’s still many good reasons to go to the UK.
The UK isn’t unrecognisable, I recognised it just fine after five years out of the country. There were also crime waves before people started using the term “woke”.
I think you’ll have a good time there. Change your place change your luck as the saying goes.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1704680/brexit-boost-farmers-australia-trade-deal-dairy-cheese
Anecdotal, but this article suggests the FTA will start early next year… Been hearing that for months now
I wouldn’t trust anything the Express says. It’s a rag and basically just a rip off of the Daily Mail. However, I believe more reputable news sources have reported a similar thing.
Yes I am an aussie desperately trying to get the UK (crazy right)
I turn 36 in August so hence why I’m so frustrated with the delays
Wanna trade places Losing Hope? We could do a straight swap of countries
Does this mean anything?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63808657
Hi Dan
https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=923
Sorry, I think the age limit for 35 is for Australian citizens. UK is 30
Thank you 🙂
Are you an Australian citizen then?
Losing hope….I can’t find any info on getting a WHV in Canada for UK citizens, I end up on those visa agency things. You got any useful links for that?
Also, if anyone wants to add me on Facebook for a chat, you’re more than welcome to 🙂 I promise I’m not a weirdo
Report stage/ 3rd Reading of the Aus/NZ bill is the 12th of Dec. With the procurement act 3rd reading on the 13th in the House of Lords. This will enact and superseed this bill.
We might, just might. Get this done before Christmas should all be well.
Cheers Bradley.
If I understand correctly does that mean the Procurement Act getting passed in the HoL will also bring the Aus/NZ bill into effect?
“The Procurement Bill is expected to repeal the Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill as enacted, although retaining the changes this Bill introduces.”
I guess so?
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indiaaus-trade-pact-in-force-from-dec-29-101669831260466.html
Not relevant but the Australia-India FTA seemed to get implemented at warp speed compared to the UK one. Visa changes and all
Well, that’s positive for us! Hopefully we’ll get the immediate visa change too.
No it’s 35
I don’t see this getting done until end of Jan unfortunately, the UK are dragging their heels and we all know they don’t like this deal. And even then, the age changes might not even come into effect. Might look at Canada instead
Not holding my breath anymore
Don’t you need to be 30 or under for Canada as well?
Report stage for the Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill is December 12th.
So it is nearly finished in the House of Commons. It then has to go through the same five step process in the House of Lords and after that get royal assent.
https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3152/stages
So basically it could take forever seeing as it’s got to go through the House of Lords?
What is the Royal assent, how long a process is that?
It could be finished in the HoC on the 12th or 13th of December as according to the link I posted as the “Report stage is usually followed immediately by debate on the Bill’s third reading.”
How long it will take to get through the HoL is anyone’s guess at the moment but from what I’ve read the first and second reading stages can be over in a day. The committee stage starts two weeks after the second reading and lasts around eight days. The report stage usually starts 14 days after committee stage has concluded and can be spread over several days (but is generally shorter than committee stage).
If there are no amendments to the bill in the HoL it goes for Royal Assent which is when some old billionaire whose father was also his cousin decides if it can become a law.
So from when it goes to the HoL we’re look at:
First and Second Reading – 2 days
Committee Stage – 14 days + 8 days = 22 days
Report Stage – 14 days + 6 days* = 20 days
Third Reading – 1 day
Royal Assent – ?
Total = roughly 45 days to get through the HoL + Royal Assent
If the report and third reading stages are completed on the same day, it goes immediately to the HoL and we count full weeks not working days 45 days from December 12th is January 26th 2023. So it could get royal assent a few days after that.
*is an estimate given the information on the government website.
This is all info I got from literally a few minutes of googling. For this site to have been saying “The age limit for UK passport holders will be increased to 35 within the next few months (hopefully by the end of 2022)” for a while now maybe tells us that it isn’t a good source of information.
What’s it say? Says I have to subscribe?
It was was essentially questioning whether the deal was worthwhile to the UK, and there are farmer groups protesting and singing petitions against the deal.
Very frustrating.
It is hard to understand why they agreed initially to then step back…
https://www.ft.com/content/bb70437e-b565-4415-a008-0c2424c0b0de
Significant article just written about the deal. Worth a read for those interested
https://www.miragenews.com/australian-foreign-minister-to-visit-europe-and-907079/
So the Australian foreign minister is going to the UK to ensure the UK handle their part of the deal and make sure they sign it off.
Really pathetic on the UK part.
https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/not-yet-in-force/aukfta/news/jscot-supports-ukfta-legislation-passes-both-houses
I found this on the Australian govt website
“A-UKFTA will enter-into-force after Australia and the UK confirm with each other in writing that they have completed their respective domestic requirements.”
The UK’s domestic requirement is the Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill getting passed.
The UK government updates on that can be found here:
https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3152
It’s called the Australia and New Zealand Bill so it looks like the one bill is intended to cover both FTAs. They may be ratified at different times but the necessary changes to British law seem to be getting made together.
If they’re separate bills what stage is the NZ one at relative to the Australian?
It also says “The Bill is now due to have its report stage and third reading on a date to be announced.”
I can’t find an announcement of the third reading so it looks like it’s still in the report stage.
If you can find anything to the contrary I’d be very happy though. I’d like to see this done soon.
Before the deal can be ratified by the UK the
Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill needs to be passed. You can see what stage it is currently at in the link below:
https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3152
Page was last updated 14 November
Also that includes the NZ FTA which is separate from the Australian one in terms of stages
I wouldn’t put too much weight on that