Working Holiday Visa Australia (WHV) – Subclasses 417 & 462

The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is a unique opportunity for young travellers to experience Australia while working legally to support their journey. Whether you’re looking to fund your adventures, gain international work experience, or immerse yourself in Australian culture, the WHV allows you to stay for up to a year or even longer with an extension. This guide covers everything you need to know, from eligibility and application steps to what to expect once you arrive.

What is the Australian Working Holiday Visa (WHV)?

The Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) are temporary visas for travellers who wish to travel, work and/or study in Australia. It is available to people between 18 and 30 years old (35 for French, Irish, Canadian, Italian, Danish and British applicants).

📆 It is limited to one year and renewable for two further years under certain conditions. Once your visa is granted, you have one year to enter Australia.

The visa available to applicants (417 or 462) depends on their country of citizenship. The program is usually reciprocal, allowing young Australians to travel and work under similar arrangements in partner countries.

💰 The cost of the visa is currently 840 AUD (July 2026).

٪ Travellers on a Working Holiday Visa are taxed on the wages they receive if they work in Australia. They are taxed at a rate of 15% if their income does not exceed $45,000 a year. Superannuation (retirement contribution) is paid on top of their salary and is 12% of what they earn. They can access their superannuation when they leave Australia, but it is taxed at a rate of 65%.

Working Holiday Visa for UK Passport Holders

Thanks to the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the age limit for UK passport holders increased to 35 years as of July 2023.

Since July 2024, UK passport holders can apply for up to three separate Working Holiday visas (subclass 417) without meeting any specified work requirements. This applies to all WHV applications lodged on or after this date.

Additionally, UK citizens who have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 visa using another eligible passport (e.g., an Irish passport) will also be exempt from the work requirement when applying for a second or third WHV.

Eligibility Criteria for a Working Holiday Visa (WHV)

Age Requirement

Be aged 18 to 30 years (inclusive) at the time of applying; for some countries, the age limit is 35. The age limit for UK citizens has been increased to 35 since July 2023, following the Australia UK Free Trade Agreement.

If the age limit for your nationality is 30, you can apply for the visa right up until the day before your 31st birthday. You can then travel to Australia on your WHV after you turn 31. For French, Canadian, Irish, Italian, Danish and British nationals, you can apply up until the day before your 36th birthday, and travel to Australia on your WHV after you turn 36.

Eligible Countries

Depending on your nationality you might be eligible for a 417 (Working Holiday Visa) or 462 (Work and Holiday Visa).

Your passport must be valid. You will need to enter your passport number when applying for a visa. This step will register your visa, linked to your passport.

⚠️ To make your first WHV application you must be outside Australian territory.

Financial Requirement

The sum required is 5,000 AUD. When applying for a visa online, you will need to prove that you have this amount in your account with a bank statement or a screenshot of your online account. You can also obtain a statement from your bank but usually a screenshot will be enough.

Be Insured

In theory, it is mandatory to take out travel insurance for a Working Holiday Visa in Australia. The government strongly recommends taking out insurance during your WHV, and more generally for all long-term trips.

Health Check

Australia has fairly strict health standards. Questions about your health will be asked when you apply for a visa. Depending on your answers and your country of origin, medical examinations may be required.

Legal Conditions

To be eligible for the WHV, you must meet legal and personality criteria. Thus, in certain very specific cases, your request could be considered as non-eligible. You could, therefore, be ineligible if:

Documents to provide (optional)

These elements can be verified by questions at the time of your visa application. Depending on your answers you may be asked to:

• Provide a police certificate
• Fill out the personal data form 80 for the assessment of your personality
• Complete a statutory declaration of character
• Provide a military certificate (if you have served more than one year)
• Provide a letter of good conduct from an employer.

Working Holiday Visa – Your Rights

Upon arrival, apply for a TFN to work legally in Australia. You’re also required to file an Australian tax return if you work during your stay. If you work in Australia, you are entitled to superannuation (pension contributions), which can be claimed back when you leave Australia.

Work Rights

The WHV allows you to work in Australia freely, whether full-time, part-time, casual or even as a freelancer.

You can work for the same employer in Australia for more than 6 months without asking permission if your work is:

• in different locations and work in any one location does not exceed 6 months
• in plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia
• in certain industries, including aged care and disability services, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction and mining, in northern Australia only (see Northern Australia)
• natural disaster recovery work
• in critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care and childcare, anywhere in Australia
• in the critical sector of tourism and hospitality anywhere in Australia.

For any other situations not covered above, you must ask for our permission to work longer than 6 months with one employer.

Option to Study

You can study in Australia for up to 4 months. Thus, you can choose full-time or part-time courses during these 4 months. If your main goal is to study, then go for a student visa.

Working Holiday Visa – How to Apply

Application Process

1. Determine Your Visa Type: Check which visa you’re eligible for – subclass 417 or subclass 462, depending on your country of citizenship.
2. Gather Required Documents: including passport, bank statements, and any other required by the Department of Home Affairs.
3. Apply Online: Applications are submitted through the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.
4. Pay the Visa Application Fee: Fees must be paid at the time of application (currently AUD 840).
5. Wait for Approval: Processing times can vary. Once approved, you’ll receive a visa grant notification.

To Apply:

1. Login to HomeAffairs
2. Go to “Apply”
3. Create an account “Create an ImmiAccount”
4. Click the first link of the table “First Working Holiday Visa”
5. Complete the form (about 15 min).
6. Pay online $840 non-refundable (price as at July 2026)
7. Once payment is made, you will receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) that you need to keep – You can track and follow your application online through your immi account.

Processing Time

The timeframe for obtaining a visa is quite variable. It is sometimes granted within minutes or less than 24 hours, but in other cases it can take a month to a month and a half, or longer.

Once it is granted you will receive an email with the attached document. We recommend that you print it.

Renew your Working Holiday Visa in Australia

You can apply for a second or third Working Holiday Visa to extend your stay in Australia if you wish.
🇬🇧 UK passport holders can apply for a second and third year without meeting any specified work requirements.

Requirements to Apply for a Second Working Holiday Visa

1. Be between 18 and 30 at the time of application (or 35 for Irish, Canadian, French, Italian, Dutch and British citizens)
2. Have a valid passport
3. Have completed three months or 88 days of specified work in regional Australia while on your first Working Holiday visa. Eligible jobs include agriculture, horticulture, fishing, mining, construction or hospitality in eligible regions of Australia.

Eligible Regions and Jobs

To find out the list of eligible regions, see: Eligible regions to renew your WHV. Some regions are EXCLUDED from the list, including the surroundings of large cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, etc.). It is therefore important to check carefully before starting a job.
To find out which jobs are eligible for renewal, see our dedicated article: Eligible Jobs to renew your WHV.

You can apply for a second Working Holiday Visa (WHV) from either inside or outside Australia.

• Applying from Australia: You must remain in the country while your application is being processed.
• Applying from outside Australia: You must wait for visa approval before re-entering Australia.

Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements before submitting your application. And don’t forget to extend your health insurance.

Doing a Third Year WHV

Working Holiday Visa holders can apply for a third visa. In order to apply, you must complete 6 months of specified work in regional areas during your second WHV (417 or 462). The types of jobs and eligible regional areas are the same as for obtaining a second visa. The price of the visa is 1000 AUD.

Preparing for Your Working Holiday Visa

How Much Time Do You Need to Prepare?

The time needed to prepare for a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) varies from person to person. Some plan a year in advance, while others make a last-minute decision and leave within three months.

For a smooth transition, we recommend allowing at least six months to save money, gather documents, and secure a good deal on flights by booking early.

What to Pack for Your WHV?

Australia’s climate is mostly warm and sunny, so pack light clothing like t-shirts and shorts. However, some regions experience cooler temperatures, so bring a jumper and long pants for chilly days. Essential sun protection includes a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Luggage Allowance & Extra Baggage

• Carry-on: Usually 7kg or 10kg
• Checked baggage: Typically 20kg, sometimes up to 30kg with extra fees

If you have lots of clothes or other items you can’t bear to leave at home but can’t fit in your suitcase, you can use a service like Send My Bag to send luggage to Australia.

How to Budget for your Working Holiday Visa

Before you apply for your WHV, you need to ensure that you have enough savings for your big adventure. Make sure you budget for your visa application costs, your travel insurance and your flight tickets as well as the minimum funds in your bank account requested by the Australian government, which is 5000 AUD.

Australia has a high cost of living, so you’ll need to be certain that you have enough money to support yourself until you get on your feet. If you plan on working in the country, it could take you a few weeks or even months to get a job, so the more savings you have, the better. Budget at least $400-$600 a week for accommodation, food, public transportation and going out. For your accommodation on arrival, the best options are hostels and Airbnb to give you time to find a roommate. If you plan on renting in a flatshare or getting your own place, bear in mind that you will also need to pay a bond or deposit. The most bond you can be required to pay is an amout equal to 4 weeks’ rent.

If you plan to go on a road trip when you get to Australia, you’ll need to buy a car. You can find low-end cars from $4,500 and equipped campervans in the $8,500 range. The prices vary depending on the time of year and the city you’re based in.

Read also : Budget for a WHV

Essential Steps Upon Arrival in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa

Arriving in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) means setting up key essentials to ensure a smooth transition into work and daily life. Here’s what you need to do first:

Check into your Accommodation

For the first few days or weeks, staying in a hostel is a great way to meet fellow travelers and get local tips. If you’re planning to settle in one city, look for long-term rentals through Facebook groups, Gumtree, or Flatmates.

Get a Sim Card / eSim

Australia’s main mobile providers are Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. Coverage quality varies, with Telstra offering the best service in remote areas.

Read also : Phone Plans in Australia

Open a Bank Account

The top banks in Australia are Westpac, ANZ, NAB, and Commonwealth. Some banks allow you to open an account online before arrival, requiring only an in-person ID verification at a local branch.

Apply for your Tax File Number

Your Tax File Number (TFN) is a tax number required by law to work in Australia. To get this number you can apply online on the ATO Website or in an ATO office (in major cities).

Transfer Your Money

You will need to transfer your money from your home currency to Australian dollars. It is better to use a money transfer service like CurrencyFair or Wise, to avoid getting stung by unfavourable exchange rates and fees from your bank.

Read also : How to transfer money to Australia

Plan your Working Holiday in Australia 📖 Free eBook

Plan your trip in Australia with this free 60-page ebook written by former backpackers who have traveled the length and breadth of Australia.

Inside, you’ll discover everything you need to plan your journey. This ebook guides you through the entire process, from applying for your visa to booking your flights and understanding the administrative procedures upon arrival.

With detailed insights and practical advice, you’ll navigate each step of your journey with ease. So, get ready to embark on your Australian adventure fully equipped and informed!

Learn more

Updated on 01/07/2026