What Is the Australian Working Holiday Visa?
Australia offers two Working Holiday visas that let young people from eligible countries live, work, and travel in Australia for up to 12 months at a time. The Subclass 417 is the original Working Holiday visa, while the Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) was introduced to extend the programme to additional countries through bilateral agreements.
Both visas give you the freedom to work for any employer, travel throughout Australia, and study for up to four months during your stay.
Who Can Apply — 417 vs 462
Subclass 417 is available to passport holders from: Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
You must be aged 18 to 30 at the time of application (citizens of Canada, France, Ireland, and the UK are eligible up to age 35).
Subclass 462 covers passport holders from Argentina, Austria, Chile, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, the USA, Uruguay, and Vietnam, as well as several others added through ongoing bilateral agreements.
The age limit for 462 is generally 18 to 30, though this varies slightly by country treaty.
For both visas, you must not have previously held the same subclass, hold a valid passport, meet health and character requirements, and have sufficient funds (approximately AUD 5,000) to support your initial stay.
Cost and How to Apply
The application fee is AUD 635 for both subclasses (as of 2025). Applications are lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal. Processing is usually quick — often within a few days — though it can take a few weeks if health checks are required.
You must be outside Australia when you apply for a 417. For a 462, you must be outside Australia (with limited exceptions depending on your nationality and circumstances).
What You Can Do on a WHV
On either visa you can:
- Work for any employer in any industry, with no restriction on the type of work
- Travel freely throughout Australia — there is no requirement to stay in one region
- Study for up to four months total (this can be split across multiple institutions)
- Leave and re-enter Australia multiple times while the visa is valid
December 2023 reform: Prior to late 2023, holders were limited to working for a single employer for no more than six months in most industries. The Australian Government removed this six-month employer cap across most sectors, allowing you to stay with the same employer for the full duration of your visa. The cap remains for some specified work categories in certain arrangements, so always check current conditions on the Home Affairs website.
Extending Your Stay — Second and Third WHVs
Second Working Holiday Visa
After completing your first WHV, you may be eligible for a second 12-month WHV if you completed at least 88 days of specified work in a regional area of Australia during your first visa. Specified work includes:
- Plant and animal cultivation (fruit picking, pruning, harvesting)
- Fishing and pearling
- Tree farming and felling
- Mining
- Construction in regional areas
Regional areas are defined as anywhere outside of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra metropolitan regions.
Third Working Holiday Visa
A third 12-month extension is available to those who completed at least 179 days of specified work in a regional area during their second WHV, or 179 days of specified work in a specified regional area (some states have stricter geographic requirements for the third year).
Pathways After Your WHV
A Working Holiday visa is often the first step in a longer Australian journey. Common next steps include:
- Temporary Skills Shortage visa (Subclass 482): If you find an employer willing to sponsor you, you can transition to a sponsored work visa valid for 2–4 years
- Student visa (Subclass 500): Enrolling in an Australian course can extend your stay and open post-study work rights
- Skilled migration: If you develop skills in a listed occupation, you may eventually qualify for a points-tested visa such as the Subclass 189 or 190
- Partner visa: If you form a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I work full-time on a Working Holiday visa?
Yes. There are no restrictions on working hours on a Working Holiday visa since the December 2023 reforms removed the 88-day single-employer cap for most industries. You can work full-time for a single employer throughout the duration of your visa in most circumstances.
Q: Does the regional work for a second year visa have to be continuous?
No. The 88 days (or 179 days for a third visa) can be accumulated across multiple employers and multiple visits to regional areas. They do not need to be consecutive.
Q: What counts as a "regional area" for the second year?
Regional areas are broadly defined as all parts of Australia excluding the major metropolitan zones of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, and Canberra. Many towns and rural areas outside these cities qualify. The Home Affairs website provides a postcode checker to confirm eligibility.
Q: Can I apply for a second WHV from inside Australia?
Yes. Unlike the initial 417 application (which must be lodged offshore), second and third WHV applications can be lodged while you are onshore in Australia on your current Working Holiday visa.
This is general guidance only. Always verify current requirements with the official government source before applying.