How to apply for a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

First, check that you meet the eligibility requirements for an Australian Working Holiday Visa Subclass 417.

• Eligibility: To be eligible, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30 (18 - 35 for citizens of Canada, France and Ireland), hold a valid passport for the countries listed at the bottom of this section, and have access to the required documents as outlined below.
  
  
• Online Application: If you meet the Australia work visa requirements, applying for a working holiday visa online is simple. Once you create an ImmiAccount, you can then complete the visa application online.
  
  
• Documents: For your online application, you’ll need your passport, a copy of your birth certificate that shows both your parents’ names, proof of adequate funds to support yourself in Australia (usually AUD 5,000) and a return air ticket (or additional funds to pay for your flight home).
  If you’ve ever changed your name, you’ll need to show the relevant documents showing the other names that you’ve been known by.
  
  If any other documents are needed to support your application, you’ll be contacted for these. All documents for your visa application must be in English and any translations submitted with your application must include the translator’s details.
  
  If you don’t attach the correct documents, fill out the form correctly or further details are required, it can take longer to process your application. You should allow at least 90 days for your working holiday visa application to be processed, but most applications are processed much earlier than this.
  
  
• Application Fee: The application fee for a WHV 417 is AUD 495 but if certificates for health or police checks are required, there may be additional costs involved. Once your Australian working holiday visa has been granted, you have 12 months from the date of issue to enter Australia and start your working holiday journey!
  
  
• Eligible Citizens: Eligible citizens from the following countries may apply: Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders), Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
   

Subclass 417 Work and Holiday Visa Official Website

How to apply for a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

Applying for a Work and Holiday Subclass 462 follows the same application process and times as WHV 417 applications, however, there are notable differences in requirements. These include the passport issuing country (see list at the bottom of this section), a government letter of support, educational qualifications and proof of ‘functional English’.

Additionally, if you’re applying for a WHV 462 from a country with a high tuberculosis risk, as part of the work and holiday visa application process, you may need to undergo a medical examination that includes a chest X-ray. Another important requirement with the 462 Work and Holiday visa is that you can’t have previously entered Australia on a 417 Working Holiday visa.
 

• Government Letter of Support: Unless you’re a citizen of Argentina, Austria, Chile, Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, China, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Singapore, the United States of America or Vietnam, as part of your work and holiday visa application you’ll need to provide a letter of support from the relevant government institution in your country (or an alternative) as listed below:    
  • Ecuador: Ministry of External Relations and Human Mobility
  • Greece: Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs
  • Indonesia: Directorate General of Immigration
  • Luxembourg: Service National de la Jeunesse
  • Malaysia: Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Peru: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Poland: Ministry of Economic Development
  • San Marino: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Slovenia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Thailand: Department of Children and Youth, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
  • Turkey: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Uruguay: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
     
• Educational Requirements: With the exception of United States citizens, there are educational requirements for the 462 visa subclass and these requirements vary depending on the country issuing the passport. You can find a list of educational requirements by country here and check the visa pages of the Australian embassy in your country for further details on WHV 462 educational requirements.
  
  
• Proof of Functional English: Unless you’re a United States passport holder, you’ll need to provide proof of functional English with your 462 visa application. This means you undertook your education at an approved institution for a required period of study, or in the 12 months prior to applying for the visa you achieved a specified score for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Information on the approved educational institutions and study periods and the functional English requirements for 462 visa applicants can be found here.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELT​​S Academic or General Training​​)
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
     
• Eligible Citizens: Eligible citizens from the following countries may apply: Argentina, Austria, Chile, The People's Republic of China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uruguay and Vietnam.

Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa Official Website

Working Holiday Visa Frequently Asked Questions

Should I apply for a 417 or 462 working holiday visa? 
You should apply for the Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) if you’re a passport holder from: Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

You should apply for the Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) if you’re a passport holder from: Argentina, Austria, Chile, The People's Republic of China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uruguay and Vietnam.
 

Can I apply for my Australian working holiday visa online? 
Yes. Create an ImmiAccount online and you can complete your Australia visa application online. 
 

What is the Australian working holiday visa age limit? 
The age limit for working holiday visas (Subclass 417 & 462) is 18 to 30 years of age. Citizens of Canada, France and Ireland are eligible until the age of 35. 
 

How much does an Australian working holiday visa cost? 
Currently, a working holiday visa costs AUD 495. 
 

How long does a working holiday visa last?
A working holiday visa is valid for 12 months from the date of arrival and you’ll need to enter Australia within 12 months from the date it was granted.  You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you like during the validity of the visa.
 

How can I get a second-year Working Holiday visa or Work and Holiday visa? 
If you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for a second-year visa (an additional 12 months). One of the most common ways is to complete three months of specified work in a rural area, with many holidaymakers doing the specified work upon arrival to ensure they have ample time to meet the requirements. Find out more about applying for a second-year Working Holiday visa (417) or second-year Work and Holiday visa (462). 
 

Can I study on an Australian working holiday visa? 
Yes, you can study for a maximum of 4  months on your working holiday. If you’re looking at undertaking longer study in Australia, enquire about a student visa. 
 

Can I apply for permanent employment on a working holiday visa?
No. These visas aren’t suitable for those seeking permanent employment in Australia. Enquire about a permanent work visa if you’re looking at working in Australia permanently or long-term.
 

Where can I find official information on working holiday visas?
You can find the most up-to-date and reliable information on the Department of Home Affairs website.