Moving overseas advice
Working Holiday visa Australia: 417 visa
Key takeaways
- A working holiday visa enables young people to move to an overseas country, such as Australia, to work, study, and travel for up to 6 months.
- Working Holiday visa Australia requirements include holding a valid passport from one of the 19 listed countries, being within the specified age bracket, having sufficient funds, passing a character test, and not having previously entered Australia on a 417 visa.
- The Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa Australia age limit is 18-35. However, the age limit for Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants is slightly lower at 18-30.
- The 417 visa 6-month rule allows young people on a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) to work for the same employer for a maximum of 6 months.
- A Working Holiday visa for Australia (subclass 417) costs AU$670 (approximately US$442/£326/€380), covering processing and visa benefits.
What is a working holiday visa?
A working holiday visa enables young people to move to an overseas country, such as Australia, to work, study, and travel for up to six months. The aim is to improve relations between nations while giving young adults the freedom to explore, learn new languages, and experience a different culture.
Conditions for working holiday visas typically include age limits, proof of sufficient funds, health requirements, and background checks. Many countries also restrict the type, sector, or duration of employment, and some require mandatory travel or health insurance.
The 417 Working Holiday visa allows eligible young travellers to live in Australia for up to 12 months. Applicants must meet the age and health requirements, hold a passport from a participating country, and pass a character check.
Popular jobs for working holiday visa holders in Australia include hospitality, retail, farming, and tourism. Such roles are widely available, in high demand, flexible, and well-suited to short-term visa conditions.
Working Holiday visa Australia requirements
There are several requirements when applying for your first Australian Working Holiday visa (subclass 417), known as a First Working Holiday visa. You must be a citizen, a valid passport holder, and meet the age limit from one of the following countries:
18 to 35 years old
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Republic of Ireland
- Italy
- The United Kingdom
18 to 30 years old
- Belgium
- Republic of Cyprus
- Estonia
- Finland
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Taiwan
- You must not have previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday visa, including subclasses 417 and 462.
- You must apply online from outside Australia.
- You cannot add family members, including dependents or guardians, to your application.
- You must have sufficient funds to support yourself upon arrival, typically AU$5,000 (US$3,327/£2,436/€2,834), plus enough for a return airfare.
- You must leave Australia when your visa term expires.
- You must meet the minimum health standards and maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
- You must pass a character assessment, declare any previous criminal convictions, and avoid disruptive behaviour, including violence or promoting extremist views.
- You and your family must not owe the Australian government money or have made arrangements to repay it.
- You must not have had a prior Australian visa application cancelled or refused.
- You must sign the Australian Values Statement, confirming that you will respect the Australian law and way of life.
Difference between 417 and 462 visa*
The primary differences between the 417 and 462 visas are the country of origin, eligibility requirements, and the complexity of the application process.
Depending on your country of origin, there are two working holiday visas available in Australia: the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462). Subclass 417 is open to passport holders from partner countries, including the UK, Canada, and several EU members. Applicants complete the process online, which is relatively straightforward, with no formal language or education requirements.
On the other hand, subclass 462 is available to a broader set of nationalities, including the US, Singapore, and Brazil; however, applicants must complete at least two years of tertiary study, meet English language standards, and sometimes provide a letter of support. The application process requires additional paperwork, including supporting documents and, in some cases, a statement of purpose.
There are also differences in extension eligibility, the type of work you can do in certain regions, and the ability to apply for a second working holiday visa. For instance, subclass 417 holders can apply for a second or third year by completing specified regional work, whereas subclass 462 holders have fewer eligible regions and types of work for which they can apply.
| 417 visa (Working Holiday) | 462 visa (Work and Holiday) | |
|
Eligible countries
|
19 (including the UK, Canada, and Belgium) | 30 (including the US, Singapore, and Brazil) |
|
Age requirement
|
18 to 35 years | 18 to 30 years |
|
Education requirement
|
None |
Must have a tertiary qualification and completed 2 years of undergraduate study
|
|
English language requirement
|
None |
Must be proficient in the English language
|
*Requirements as of 2025
Working Holiday visa Australia age limit
The Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa Australia age limit is 18-35. However, the age limit for Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants is slightly lower at 18-30. Applicants must be 18 or older when applying and under 31 or 36, depending on their country, at the time of visa approval.
The key is that you do not work for the same employer for more than six continuous months.
417 visa 6-month rule
The 417 visa 6-month rule allows young people on a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) to work for the same employer for a maximum of 6 months. It applies to full-time, part-time, and casual roles, and encourages expats to move between jobs and regions, making the most of their year-long visa.
If you wish to work for a company for an extended period, you can consider switching employers and returning later. The key is that you do not work for the same employer for more than six continuous months.
However, it is possible to work beyond six months in the same role under certain circumstances:
- Regional employment: working in specific industries, such as fishing, mining, tree felling, or construction, in Northern Australia may be applicable.
- Plant and animal cultivation: agricultural work, such as harvesting, fruit/vegetable picking, or processing, often qualifies for an exemption.
- Critical sectors: the government sometimes makes exceptions for industries facing worker shortages or for work related to natural disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Permission request: if your role is genuinely needed (for example, a specialist position on a long project you are uniquely qualified to carry out), you can apply to Home Affairs for special permission, explaining why it benefits Australia.
How much is a Working Holiday visa Australia?
Both the Working Holiday (subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visas for Australia (subclass 417) cost AU$670 (approximately US$442/£326/€380), covering processing and visa benefits. You pay the fee when submitting your online application.
Total costs vary depending on your location in Australia, travel expenses for work, and lifestyle choices. Applicants should also budget for additional expenses, such as return flights, health insurance, living costs and medical examinations and biometrics collection if required.
417 visa tax rates
Working Holiday 417 visa holders (and those with Work and Holiday visas) pay 15% on all earnings up to AU$45,000 (around US$29,713/£21,922/€25,508), which is 1% lower than the standard resident tax rate in Australia, and 30% on earnings above AU$45,000 up to AU$135,000 (around US$89,139/£65,765/€76,523), as of the Australian government's 2025/2026 tax rates for working holiday makers.
Employers deduct taxes through the PAYG (Pay As You Go) system. If you leave Australia before the end of the financial year, you may be eligible for a refund. Pension contributions may be applicable, but you can claim them back when you leave Australia.
Here are the full 2025/26 tax rates for working holiday visa holders in Australian dollars:
| Taxable income | Tax on this income |
| 0 – $45,000 | 15c for each $1 |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | $6,750 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000 |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | $33,750 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000 |
| $190,001 and over | $54,100 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000 |
Total costs vary depending on your location in Australia, travel expenses for work, and lifestyle choices.
How to stay in Australia after Working Holiday visa
The most common way to stay in Australia after your Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) ends is to apply for a second or third Working Holiday visa, provided you meet the requirements. To qualify for a second 417 visa, you must complete a minimum of three months of specified work during your first year in Australia. To apply for a third year, you must complete at least six months of specified work during your second year. Otherwise, the requirements are similar to a First Working Holiday visa.
Another option is to explore other Australian visa types. Some travellers secure sponsorship through the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), which allows skilled workers to remain in Australia for two to four years.
Requirements of the Skills in Demand visa include:
- Being nominated by an approved Australian employer,
- Applying for a role in demand,
- Having the required skills to do the job,
- Meeting relevant English language requirements,
- Paying a fee of AU$3,210* (around US$2,120/£1,564/€1,820)
Alternatively, you could also apply for a Student visa, which lets you study full-time, usually for the length of your course. You can also return on a Tourist visa for up to 12 months; however, you cannot work or study and must apply for this visa outside Australia.
*costs accurate as of 2025
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