If you’ve dreamed of spending a year in Australia, here’s how to score yourself a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462).
On this page, we’ll give you all the details you need to apply for Work and Holiday visa (WHV) subclass 462, which is available to visitors who are aged 18 to 30 (inclusive) and hold a valid passport for any of the following countries: Argentina; Austria; Chile; The People's Republic of China; Czech Republic; Hungary; Indonesia; Israel; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Peru; Poland; Portugal; San Marino; Singapore; Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; Switzerland; Thailand; Turkey; USA; Uruguay; and Vietnam. You may also be required to demonstrate a level of "functional English". For the full list of eligibility requirements, visit the Department of Home Affairs website. If you hold a passport from Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders), Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport) or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, you’ll need to apply for a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417). All the details for that can be found here.
What is the age limit for an Australian Work and Holiday visa?When applying for your Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), you need to be aged between 18 and 30. If you apply for the visa when you’re still 30, but turn 31 before the application has been approved, the visa may still be granted.
What documents do I need to apply for an Australian Work and Holiday visa?Depending on your country of citizenship, you may also be required to provide:
Document requirements can change, so check the Department of Home Affairs' website for the most up to date document requirements.
How long is the process to apply for an Australian Work and Holiday visa?The online application form for a WHV 462 is not difficult to fill out, but it may take a couple of hours to complete it and add all the documentation required.
You’ll first need to create an ImmiAccount and confirm your email address. Once you’ve started your application, you can save it and go back to it later to finish filling it in.
What should I know before I start my Australian Work and Holiday visa application?Before you begin your application, check to make sure that applications are still open for your country of passport. The Department of Home Affairs website gives up to date information on the status of country caps.
All documents you attach to your application must be in English. Those that aren’t have to be supplied with a translation.
You’ll need clear, colour scans or photographs of each of these documents. If a document has more than one page, it should be saved as a single file.
Your only other obligation is to sign the Australian Values Statement. This is a document that confirms you agree to respect the Australian way of life, and obey Australian laws while you’re in the country.
How long will it take to process my Work and Holiday visa application for Australia?Most applications are processed within 79 days, but it can take longer in some cases, especially if you don’t fill out the form correctly or forget to attach the right documents.
Visa processing times may vary. For the most up to date information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
How much does it cost to apply for an Australian Work and Holiday visa?When you apply for your Working and Holiday Visa, you’ll have to pay AUD $635. You may also have to pay for extras like health checks, police certificates or biometrics (facial photograph and finger prints). Be sure to check the Department of Home Affairs for the latest information.
What are the health requirements for an Australian Work and Holiday visa?If you’re applying for a WHV from a country with a high risk of tuberculosis, you may need to undergo a medical examination and chest X-ray.
You should also note that you are responsible for any health debts you run up while you’re visiting Australia. You should ensure you take out sufficient travel or health insurance to cover illness and accidents during your stay.
How much money do I need to save for an Australian Work and Holiday visa application?You should have savings equivalent of AUD $5,000 – be prepared to show proof of the funds in your bank account . On top of your savings, you need a return air ticket or enough funds to pay for a flight home.
How long can I stay in Australia on a Work and Holiday visa?The WHV allows you to stay in Australia for 12 months from the day you enter the country. During that time you can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you like, but once the visa is activated it can’t be extended. All that really means is that if you spend a month somewhere else that time won’t be added to the length of time for which your visa is valid.
What are the work restrictions and requirements for a working holiday in Australia?The idea of the WHV is to allow you to take on short-term and casual jobs to fund your travels and help you pay for your holiday. For the most part, you can stay in one job for a maximum of six months, although this can be extended with special permission in some cases.
Can I extend my Australian Work and Holiday visa?If you fall in love with life in Australia (and who could blame you?) it is possible to extend your time here. If you do at least three months of specified work in eligible northern and regional areas of the country you can apply for a Second Work and Holiday visa that will give you another year to explore and top up your funds. To find out how to do it, head to our information page here.
Note: Tourism Australia is not the Australian government visa granting authority. The visa granting authority is the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. For up-to-date information, please refer to their website: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462.
The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with an Australian qualified immigration lawyer or migration agent if you are seeking legal advice.
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Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.
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© Tourism Australia 2024*Product Disclaimer: Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.
