Subclass 417 / 462

🌞 Working Holiday Visas

The Working Holiday (417) and Work and Holiday (462) visas let young people from eligible countries travel and work in Australia for up to 12 months — with options to extend to a second or third visa.

Benefits

What This Visa Gives You

A working holiday is the most flexible way to experience Australia — combining travel, work, and cultural exchange.

💼

Work With Any Employer

Take up almost any short-term role across Australia.

🏝

Travel Freely

Move around Australia and explore at your own pace.

🕒

12 Months Per Visa

Each Working Holiday visa lets you stay up to 12 months.

🔄

Up to 3 Visas

Complete eligible regional work to qualify for a 2nd or 3rd.

🎓

Study Up to 4 Months

Combine travel with short courses or training.

🌍

Cultural Exchange

Experience Australian life and meet people from around the world.

Weighing It Up

Pros and Cons

A balanced view of what this visa offers and where its limits lie.

Advantages

  • Flexible work and travel for up to 12 months per visa
  • Stack up to three Working Holiday visas (with regional work)
  • Work for almost any employer in any industry
  • Short courses and study allowed (up to 4 months)
  • Available to most young passport holders — relatively simple eligibility

! Things to Consider

  • Strict age limit (18–30 for most countries; 18–35 for some 417 nationalities)
  • Maximum 6 months with any single employer
  • Cannot bring dependent children with you
  • Subclass 462 requires a ballot for some nationalities (e.g. India, Indonesia, China)
  • Not a direct pathway to permanent residency
  • Regional work for 2nd / 3rd visa is closely audited — documentation matters
417 vs 462

Two Visas, Different Eligibility

Which visa applies to you depends on your passport. Both grant similar rights, but 462 has stricter requirements.

SubclassEligible CountriesEducation RequiredEnglish Required
417Working Holiday
30+ countries (UK, Canada, Germany, Korea, Japan, etc.)NoneNone
462Work and Holiday
Limited list (USA, China, Indonesia, India, etc.)Some post-secondary studyFunctional English
Visa Extensions
417/462 1st Visa
Regional Work
417/462 2nd
Regional Work
417/462 3rd

Complete the required regional work (typically 88 days for 2nd, 6 months for 3rd) and you can apply for back-to-back working holiday visas, staying up to 3 years total.

Eligibility

Core Requirements

Most applicants must satisfy these criteria. Some streams have additional requirements that we will assess in your consultation.

  • Aged 18–30 (or 18–35 for some 417 countries) at time of application
  • Hold a passport from an eligible country
  • Sufficient funds (generally AUD 5,000+) on arrival
  • Have no dependent children accompanying you
  • Health and character requirements
  • For 462: meet education and English requirements
  • For 2nd/3rd visa: evidence of qualifying regional work
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Limitations to Know

Working holiday visas are flexible but come with some specific rules.

6 months per employer No dependants 4 months study max 12 months per visa Regional work for extension
Plan ahead for extensions. The regional work rules for 2nd and 3rd visas are strict — we help you record qualifying work properly so your next visa is approved.
FAQ

Common Questions

The questions we hear most often. Need more detail? Book a consultation.

What is the difference between Subclass 417 and 462?

417 (Working Holiday) is for nationals of around 30 reciprocal countries (UK, Canada, Germany, Korea, Japan, etc.). 462 (Work and Holiday) is for a smaller group of countries and has stricter education and English requirements; some 462 nationalities (e.g. India) require a pre-application ballot.

How do I get a second Working Holiday visa?

You must complete at least 88 days (3 months) of qualifying specified work in regional Australia during your first visa. Common qualifying work includes farm work, construction in regional areas, and certain disaster recovery work.

Can my partner or children come with me?

Your partner can apply for their own Working Holiday visa if they are eligible. Dependent children, however, cannot accompany you on this visa — this is a strict rule.

Can I switch from a Working Holiday visa to a Student visa?

Yes, in most cases — you can apply for another visa from inside Australia provided your current Working Holiday visa doesn't carry an 8503 "no further stay" condition (uncommon for WHV).

How much money do I need on arrival?

Generally AUD $5,000 in available funds, plus a return airfare or sufficient money to fund your departure. Officers may ask for evidence on arrival.

What counts as "regional work" for visa extensions?

Specified work in eligible postcodes — primarily plant and animal cultivation (farm work), fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, mining, construction, healthcare, tourism and hospitality (in remote/very remote areas), and natural disaster recovery.

Process

Our Three-Step Approach

From your first call to visa grant, you have a registered migration agent guiding every step.

01
💬

Initial Consultation

We assess your situation, identify the right pathway, and flag any risks before you commit. 100% refundable if you proceed with us.

02
📋

Strategy & Preparation

We build your migration strategy, gather documentation, and prepare a strong, decision-ready application.

03

Lodgement & Grant

We lodge your application, manage all Department correspondence, and support you through to visa grant.

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Your Australian
Dream Awaits

Book a consultation with our registered migration agents. 100% refundable when you proceed with us — so you can be confident in your investment.