Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462 and 417)

Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

Overview 

The Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) is a temporary visa for young adults from partner countries that allows them to holiday in Australia while working short-term jobs.

Subclass 462 has additional requirements compared to Subclass 417.

What Subclass 462 Allows You To Do

With a Subclass 462 visa, you can:

• Stay in Australia for up to 12 months
• Work in short-term employment
• Study for up to 4 months (17 weeks)
• Travel in and out of Australia freely
• Apply for Second and Third Work and Holiday Visas, if eligible

Age Requirement

• Applicants must be 18 to 30 or 35 years old, depending on nationality
• Age limits are country-specific

Additional Requirements for Subclass 462

Depending on your nationality, you may need to meet one or more of the following:

Education Requirements 

• Minimum post-secondary education
• University degree or diploma
• Government-approved qualification

English Language Requirement 

Applicants may need to show Functional English, through:

• Approved English tests (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL / Cambridge), or
• Evidence of education completed in English

Letter of Support 

Some nationalities require a letter of support from their home government.

These requirements vary by country.

Work Conditions

• Usually limited to 6 months per employer
• Extensions may be permitted in approved circumstances
• Must comply with Australian workplace laws

Second & Third Work and Holiday Visas (Subclass 462)

• Available after completing approved specified work
• Eligible industries and regions are determined by current policy
• Third visa is available if further specified work is completed

Eligible Countries – Subclass 462

Eligible countries include (not limited to):

Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China (PRC), Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, Uruguay, United States, Vietnam

Eligibility conditions differ by country.

Health & Character Requirements

Applicants must:

• Meet health requirements
• Meet character requirements
• Provide police certificates if requested

Health Insurance

• Subclass 462 holders are generally not eligible for Medicare
• Private health insurance is strongly recommended
• Limited RHCA access may apply for some nationalities

Family Members

• You cannot bring dependent children
• Partners must apply for their own visa

Debts to the Australian Government

• Any outstanding debts must be repaid or arrangements made before visa grant

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

Overview

The Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) allows young adults from eligible countries to travel, live, and work in Australia temporarily while funding their holiday through short-term employment.

This visa is designed for cultural exchange and tourism, with work being incidental to travel.

What Subclass 417 Allows You To Do

With a Subclass 417 visa, you can:

• Stay in Australia for up to 12 months
• Work in short-term jobs to support your travel
• Study for up to 4 months (17 weeks)
• Travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid
• Apply for a Second and Third Working Holiday Visa, if eligible

Age Requirement (Important)

• Applicants must be 18 to 30 or 35 years old, depending on nationality
• Age limits are determined by bilateral agreements and vary by country

Always check age eligibility based on your passport country.

Work Conditions

• You may generally work for the same employer for up to 6 months
• In certain circumstances, extensions beyond 6 months are permitted
• Work must comply with Australian workplace laws

Second & Third Working Holiday Visas (Subclass 417)

You may be eligible for:

• Second Working Holiday Visa after completing specified work
• Third Working Holiday Visa after completing further specified work

Specified work:

• Must be in approved industries and eligible regional areas
• Rules and eligible locations are updated regularly

Eligible Countries – Subclass 417

Eligible countries include (not limited to):

Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong (SAR), Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan*, United Kingdom

(*Conditions apply)

Country conditions may change. Always confirm before applying.

Health & Character Requirements

Applicants must:

• Meet health requirements (medical exams if requested)
• Meet character requirements
• Provide police certificates if required

Health Insurance

• Working Holiday visa holders are generally not eligible for Medicare
• Some nationalities may have limited access under Reciprocal Health Care Agreements
• Private health insurance is strongly recommended for the entire stay

Family Members

• You cannot bring dependent children
• Partners must apply for their own visa independently

Debts to the Australian Government

• You must have no outstanding debts or have arrangements in place to repay them before visa grant