Australia'sWorking Holiday visa program (subclass 417)

Introduction

A Working Holiday provides an opportunity to have an extended holiday in Australia for up to 12 months and seek casual work to help fund your trip. You can do any kind of work but if the main purpose of your visit is to work you should consider exploring other visa options such as General Skilled Migration (subclasses 189, 190 or 491) or the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).

Australia commenced the Working Holiday program in 1975. There has been a significant increase in applications and in the 2024/2025 financial year, Australia issued almost 200,000 Working Holiday visas (subclasses 417 and 462). A record 79,000 visas were granted to UK backpackers up from 47,000 in 2023/2024. Growing interest in the program is attributed to the removal of specified work requirements for British citizens, an increase in the maximum age to 35 for some countries, a strong local job market and the removal of the need to do farm work to obtain a 2nd or 3rd working holiday for British passport holders.

Eligible passport holders - subclass 417 Working Holiday

Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong King Special Administration Region of the People's Republic of China, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport), The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including Britisn National Overseas passport holders).

Eligible passport holders - subclass 462 Work and Holiday

Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China, Peoples Republic of Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guiney (PNG), Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkiye, Uruguay, United States of America and Vietnam.

Applicants applying for a subclass 462 visa must also meet certain education standards and have functional English.

How long can you stay

You must enter Australia within 12 months from the date the visa is granted. The visa starts on the date you enter Australia and once you have entered you can:

• Stay in Australia for 12 months
• Leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you like in that 12 months
• Travel outside Australia and return as often as you want while the visa is in effect

Second or third working holiday

From July 2024, British passport holders applying for a 2nd or 3rd working holiday are exempt from undertaking farm work during their 1st working holiday.

Family members and dependent children

You cannot include family members in your application for a working holiday visa or be accompanied by dependent children while you are in Australia as the holder of a working holiday visa. 

Health requirements

Applicants with a pre-existing health condition may need a medical examination and a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth will assess the results of the examination and will advise whether the condition is likely to be a threat to public health or result in significant healthcare and community service costs or place a demand on services that are in short supply. 

Character requirements

You must declare all criminal conduct you have been charged with including any offences that are awaiting legal action in any country. Depending on the nature of your offence you may be asked to obtain a current police report and provide a statement of character using form 1563.

Financial requirements

You must have enough funds to support yourself while you are in Australia. This is usually about A$5,000 plus funds to purchase your onward plane ticket when you depart Australia.

Working in Australia

Employment is incidental to the working holiday in Australia as the purpose of working is to supplement holiday funds. You can do any kind of short-term work but, you can only work for the same employer in Australia in one location for 6 months unless employment is in:

• plant and animal cultivation
• agriculture and food processing
• aged care and disability services
• childcare
• tourism and hospitality
• fishing and pearling in Northern Australia
• tree farming and felling in Northern Australia
• construction, and mining in northern Australia

Cost

The Department of Home affairs charge A$670 for a Working Holiday or Work Holiday visa.

Processing timetable

50% of working holiday applications are decided within one day and 90% within 2 months. Applications may take lomger to decide due to the number of applications currently being submitted. Other factors which can influence the processing timetable include investigation into meeting health or character requirements.

Assistance

If you would like Concept Australia to assist you with submitting an application for a Working Holiday visa, please contact us on 02083156701.  Please note that this is a chargeable service and we cannot assist you with any employment whilst in Australia.