Australia’s Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) may allow eligible young passport holders to spend an extended holiday in Australia while undertaking short-term work to help support their stay.
Visa holders may also undertake limited study and travel to and from Australia while their visa remains valid, subject to their visa conditions.
Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program is not new. According to the Department of Home Affairs, the reciprocal program has operated since 1975. It currently includes more than 40 partner countries and jurisdictions under two separate visa subclasses:
- Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
- Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
This article focuses specifically on the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417).
What is the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)?
The Working Holiday visa is a temporary visa designed mainly for an extended holiday in Australia. It may allow eligible young adults to undertake short-term work to help fund their travel and living expenses.
Subject to the visa grant and applicable conditions, a first Working Holiday visa may allow a person to:
- stay in Australia for up to 12 months;
- undertake short-term work;
- study or train for up to four months;
- leave and re-enter Australia while the visa remains valid; and
- apply for a second or third Working Holiday visa if the relevant requirements are satisfied.
The main purpose of the visa is generally expected to remain a holiday. A person whose main intention is long-term employment or extended study might need to consider whether a different visa category may be more appropriate.
The Department of Home Affairs Working Holiday Maker overview provides current general information about the program.
Which countries may be eligible for subclass 417?
A person may be eligible to apply if they hold a valid passport issued by an eligible country or jurisdiction.
The current subclass 417 passport list includes:
- 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
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Eligibility is generally determined by the passport used for the application, rather than only by the applicant’s place of birth or country of residence.
The eligible passport list and country-specific arrangements may change. Applicants should check the current subclass 417 requirements published by the Department of Home Affairs before applying.
What is the age limit for a Working Holiday visa?
Applicants may generally need to be between 18 and 30 years of age, inclusive, when submitting the application.
For some eligible passport holders, the upper age limit may be 35 years inclusive. The applicable age requirement may depend on the country or jurisdiction that issued the applicant’s passport.
For example, eligible UK passport holders may apply between 18 and 35 years of age, inclusive. This may allow an eligible UK passport holder to lodge an application before turning 36.
Because age arrangements may differ between eligible passports, applicants should confirm the current age limit applicable to their passport before lodging an application.
General eligibility requirements
The requirements may differ depending on whether a person is applying for a first, second or third Working Holiday visa.
For a first subclass 417 visa, an applicant may generally need to:
- hold a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction;
- meet the age requirement applicable to that passport;
- apply online and satisfy the relevant location requirements;
- not have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 or subclass 462 visa;
- have sufficient funds to support the initial period in Australia and onward travel;
- satisfy applicable health requirements;
- satisfy applicable character requirements;
- have no outstanding debt to the Australian Government, unless an accepted repayment arrangement is in place; and
- not be accompanied by dependent children while in Australia on this visa.
Other requirements may apply depending on the applicant’s history and circumstances.
Applicants should check the current visa application charge before applying. Government charges may change, and additional costs might arise for health examinations, police certificates, biometrics or document translations.
How long may a subclass 417 visa holder stay in Australia?
A first Working Holiday visa may generally permit a stay of up to 12 months.
The relevant travel and stay period may depend on the visa grant date, first entry date and conditions stated in the visa grant letter. Visa holders should carefully check their grant notification through ImmiAccount.
An eligible person might later obtain a second and third Working Holiday visa. This may provide access to up to three separate 12-month stays if all relevant requirements are satisfied.
It is not automatically one continuous three-year visa. Each Working Holiday visa is generally a separate application and visa grant.
Can subclass 417 visa holders work in Australia?
A Working Holiday visa holder may generally undertake work in Australia. However, the work must remain consistent with the conditions attached to the visa.
Six-month limitation with one employer
Visa condition 8547 generally limits a Working Holiday Maker to a maximum of six months of work with the same employer, unless an exemption applies or written permission is granted.
The condition may apply to:
- full-time employment;
- part-time employment;
- casual employment;
- shift work;
- voluntary work;
- workplace-based training; and
- certain self-employment or contracting arrangements.
The six-month period is generally calculated from the date the person starts working. It is based on elapsed time rather than only the number of hours or days worked.
When might a person work for the same employer for longer?
Under current Home Affairs settings, a Working Holiday Maker may be able to work for the same employer for more than six months without requesting permission where the work meets an applicable exemption.
Possible exemptions may include:
- working at different locations for the same employer, provided work at any one location does not exceed six months;
- plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia;
- natural-disaster recovery work anywhere in Australia;
- work in designated critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged care, disability services, childcare, tourism and hospitality; or
- certain work in fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction or mining in eligible areas of Northern Australia.
These settings may be changed by the Australian Government. Detailed definitions apply, and a person should not assume that every position within a broadly related industry qualifies.
If an exemption does not apply, the visa holder may need to request written permission from the Department of Home Affairs before continuing to work for the same employer beyond six months.
A person who submits a permission request before completing the initial six-month period may be able to continue working while waiting for a written decision. Different rules may apply if the request is lodged only after the six-month period has already ended.
Current details are available on the official six-month work limitation page.
How long may a Working Holiday visa holder study?
Visa condition 8548 generally limits study or training to a maximum of four months during the person’s stay in Australia.
Home Affairs may treat four months as approximately 17 weeks of study, including weekends, public holidays, orientation periods and non-teaching periods connected to the course.
A person planning to undertake a longer course might need to consider whether a Student visa or another suitable visa may be required.
Second Working Holiday visa requirements
An eligible person may be able to apply for a second Working Holiday visa.
For most eligible passport holders, this may require at least three months of eligible specified subclass 417 work undertaken while holding the first Working Holiday visa or during another period accepted by Home Affairs.
Specified work is not the same as any ordinary employment. Eligibility may depend on factors such as:
- the type of work performed;
- the applicant’s actual duties;
- the relevant industry;
- the work location;
- the applicable postcode;
- the dates and duration of employment;
- how the work period is calculated; and
- the visa held when the work was completed.
Merely working in a regional area might not be enough. Both the type of work and its location may need to satisfy the applicable requirements.
Applicants relying on specified work should consider retaining evidence such as:
- payslips;
- bank statements showing wage payments;
- income statements;
- tax records;
- employment contracts;
- timesheets;
- superannuation records; and
- verifiable employment references.
Applicants should check the official specified work requirements for subclass 417 before relying on employment for a second visa application.
Third Working Holiday visa requirements
For most eligible passport holders, a third Working Holiday visa may generally require at least six months of eligible specified subclass 417 work completed while holding a second Working Holiday visa or during another period accepted by Home Affairs.
The employment may need to satisfy the applicable specified-work rules in relation to duties, industry, location, postcode, dates and visa status.
Applicants might benefit from checking these requirements before commencing employment and maintaining complete evidence throughout the relevant work period.
Special arrangements for UK passport holders
Different arrangements may apply to eligible holders of passports issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Age limit
Since 1 July 2023, eligible UK passport holders may apply for a Working Holiday visa between 18 and 35 years of age, inclusive.
Home Affairs states that an eligible UK passport holder may lodge an application until midnight, Australian Eastern Standard Time, on the day before their 36th birthday.
Second and third Working Holiday visas
For applications lodged on or after 1 July 2024 using an eligible UK passport, applicants may be granted up to three separate Working Holiday visas without completing the usual specified-work requirements for the second and third visas.
This arrangement may also cover a British National (Overseas) passport issued by the United Kingdom.
However, other Working Holiday Maker requirements and visa conditions may continue to apply, including:
- the six-month limitation on working with the same employer, unless an exemption or permission applies; and
- the four-month study limitation.
The three possible stays are generally based on three separate visa grants rather than one three-year visa.
The current UK arrangements are explained on the official Home Affairs page for UK passport holders.
Workplace rights for Working Holiday visa holders
Working Holiday visa holders may have the same minimum workplace rights and protections as other employees working in Australia.
Depending on the employment arrangement, award and applicable legislation, these rights might include:
- minimum rates of pay;
- penalty rates and allowances;
- payslips;
- superannuation;
- safe working conditions;
- protection from unlawful discrimination;
- leave entitlements where applicable;
- notice of termination; and
- payment of outstanding wages and entitlements.
An employer cannot cancel a worker’s visa. Visa grants, refusals and cancellations are matters for the Australian Government.
Visa holders who believe they may be underpaid, exploited or treated unfairly can check information provided by the Fair Work Ombudsman for visa holders and migrant workers.
Difference between subclass 417 and subclass 462
The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) are separate visa subclasses.
Although both are part of Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program, different rules may apply in relation to:
- eligible passports;
- age limits;
- education;
- English-language ability;
- government support documents;
- annual visa caps; and
- ballot participation.
A person should identify the appropriate subclass based on the passport they intend to use and their individual circumstances. Participation in the wider Working Holiday Maker program does not necessarily mean a passport holder may apply under subclass 417.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Working Holiday visa holder work full-time?
A subclass 417 visa does not generally impose a standard weekly-hours limit. A visa holder may work full-time, part-time or casually.
However, visa condition 8547 may limit work with the same employer to six months unless an exemption applies or permission is granted.
Can a Working Holiday visa holder study in Australia?
A visa holder may generally study or undertake training for up to four months. A longer course might require a different visa.
Can dependent children accompany the applicant?
A person generally cannot be accompanied by dependent children while staying in Australia on a Working Holiday visa.
Does everyone need specified work for a second or third visa?
Not necessarily. The requirements may depend on the passport used and the rules applying when the application is lodged.
For example, eligible UK passport holders applying under the arrangements effective from 1 July 2024 may not need to complete the usual specified work for a second or third subclass 417 visa.
Does any regional work qualify as specified work?
No. Employment in a regional area might not qualify unless the work type, industry, location and other requirements satisfy the applicable specified-work rules.
Can a Working Holiday visa lead directly to permanent residency?
Subclass 417 is a temporary visa and does not provide a direct permanent residency pathway.
A visa holder might separately be eligible for another Australian visa depending on their age, occupation, qualifications, employment history, English-language ability and other circumstances. Eligibility for any other visa would need to be considered separately under the rules applying to that visa.
Important information before applying
Australian migration legislation, government policies, visa charges, eligible passport arrangements and concessions may change.
Before applying, a person should check:
- the current subclass 417 eligibility criteria;
- the age requirement applying to their passport;
- whether they must be inside or outside Australia when applying;
- the conditions that may be attached to the visa;
- the current visa application charge;
- the specified-work definitions and eligible locations; and
- the documents and evidence required for the application.
Information published by news websites, businesses or social-media pages should be checked against current Australian Government sources before it is relied upon.
Official Australian sources
- Working Holiday visa – Subclass 417
- Working Holiday Maker program overview
- Specified work for subclass 417
- Six-month work limitation
- Working Holiday arrangements for UK passport holders
- Fair Work information for visa holders and migrant workers
Important Disclaimer
This article provides general information only and may not reflect every applicant’s circumstances. Number One Service Australia is not a Registered Migration Agent and does not provide migration advice, visa eligibility assessments or personalised visa information.
Visa requirements, conditions and Australian Government policies may change. Eligibility might depend on the applicant’s passport, age, previous visas, employment history and other individual circumstances.
Before applying or making any visa-related decision, readers should check the current Department of Home Affairs requirements. Personalised advice may be obtained from a Registered Migration Agent or an Australian legal practitioner.
