Australia's Working Holiday Maker program lets young people have an extended holiday and work to fund it. There are two visas, and which one you can get depends on your passport:
- Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
- Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), which usually has extra requirements such as education and English, and caps on places for some countries
A first Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa costs A$840 (from 1 July 2026).
At a Glance
| 417 Working Holiday | 462 Work and Holiday | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18 to 30 (35 for some countries) | 18 to 30 inclusive |
| Where to apply | Outside Australia | Outside Australia |
| Stay | 12 months from first entry | 12 months from first entry |
| Work | Any work; usually up to 6 months per employer | Any work; usually up to 6 months per employer |
| Study | Up to 4 months | Up to 4 months |
| Dependent children | Can't come with you | Can't come with you |
| First visa charge | A$840 | A$840 |
Citizens of China, India and Vietnam must enter a pre-application ballot and be randomly selected before they can apply for a first 462 visa.
Who Can Get a Working Holiday Visa
You must:
- hold a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction
- be within the age limit when you apply
- apply online from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is decided
- apply on your own (you can't include family members) and not be accompanied by dependent children
- not have entered Australia on a 417 or 462 before (for a first visa)
- have enough money to support yourself at the start of your trip
You must enter Australia within 12 months of the grant. Home Affairs says most applications currently take around three months, so don't book flights until the visa is granted.
Second and Third Visas
If you do 3 months of specified work on your first visa, you can apply for a second visa. Doing 6 months of specified work on the second visa makes you eligible for a third. Specified work is mostly regional work such as farming, fishing, mining or construction in eligible postcodes, and the eligible industries and areas differ between the 417 and the 462. UK passport holders don't need to do specified work. Second and third visas cost A$1,000.
What the Visa Costs
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| First 417 or 462 visa | A$840 |
| Second or third visa | A$1,000 |
Health checks, police certificates and biometrics, if requested, are extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Working Holiday visa cost?
A$840 for a first 417 or 462 visa from 1 July 2026. Second and third visas cost A$1,000.
Can I apply for a Working Holiday visa from inside Australia?
Not for a first visa. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when it is decided.
Can I work for one employer for the whole year?
Usually you can work for the same employer for up to 6 months. Some exceptions exist.
Can I switch to a Student visa while on a Working Holiday visa?
From 2 October 2026, 417 and 462 holders can't apply for a Student visa in Australia. You would need to apply from outside Australia.
What can I do after my working holiday?
If an employer wants to keep you, ask about sponsorship through the 482 visa.
Get Help
If you're planning to stay on after a working holiday, a registered migration agent can map out the options. Tell us your situation and we'll introduce you to registered migration agents near you. It's free to ask.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. Sources: Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), Department of Home Affairs.