Australia’s Working Holiday and the Work and Holiday visas

What is the Australian Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)?

If you’re from one of the participating countries, the Australian Working Holiday visa allows you to travel, live and work in Australia for 12 months. These 12 months start from the first time you enter Australia which must occur within 12 months of being granted the Working Holiday visa.

You must be aged between 18 and 30 (18 and 35 for Canadian, French and Irish citizens). You can do any kind of work on your Working Holiday visa but can’t work for longer than six months for any one employer. A second Working Holiday visa can be granted for a further 12 months should the applicant find specified work in a regional area of Australia for three months. You can study for up to four months (17 weeks) on the Working Holiday visa

The Australian Working Holiday visa costs AUD 495.

The Australian Working Holiday visa requirements

The Australian Working Holiday visa is only available to applicants who satisfy the criteria above, and are from the following countries:

If you have a partner, they cannot be included on the visa application. They will have to meet the same criteria in order to be granted this visa.

Does the Australian Work and Holiday visa lead to a permanent visa?

The only way to stay longer in Australia is to apply for a second or third Work and Holiday visa if you meet the requirements and have completed the required amount of regional work for each visa. Other than this option, the Australian Work and Holiday visa cannot be extended or held again. If you would like to work, study, or live in Australia permanently, you will need to apply for another visa and meet those requirements.

What is the Australian Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)?

Passport holders from participating countries can apply for the Australian Work and Holiday visa which allows you to travel, live and work in Australia for 12 months. These 12 months start from the first time you enter Australia which must occur within 12 months of being granted the Work and Holiday visa.

You must be aged between 18 and 30 to apply. Work and Holiday visa holders can do any kind of work but can only work a maximum of six months with the same employer. To be eligible for a second Work and Holiday visa, you need to complete three months of subclass 462 work. For a third Work and Holiday visa, you need to complete another three months of subclass 462 work on your second Work and Holiday visa (six months total across both previously subclass 462 visas). You can study for up to four months (17 weeks) on the Work and Holiday visa.

The Australian Work and Holiday visa costs AUD 495.

Does the Australian Work and Holiday visa lead to a permanent visa?

The only way to stay longer in Australia is to apply for a second or third Work and Holiday visa if you meet the requirements and have completed the required amount of regional work for each visa. Other than this option, the Australian Work and Holiday visa cannot be extended or held again. If you would like to work, study, or live in Australia permanently, you will need to apply for another visa and meet those requirements.

Do you think you meet the criteria for a Working Holiday visa or a Work and Holiday visa? Complete our visa assessment below to see if you could be spending a year in Australia.