AU Temporary & working holiday Temporary

Working Holiday Maker visas (subclass 417 and 462)

Up to three years of travel-and-work in Australia for young people from eligible countries.

Who this route is for

Young adults (18-30, or 18-35 for some nationalities) from partner countries who want to holiday and work in Australia for a year, extendable via regional/specified work.

Eligibility requirements

Aged 18-30 at time of application (18-35 for citizens of some countries, e.g. Canada, France, Ireland, Italy and the UK, depending on stream).
Hold a passport from an eligible country (417 'Working Holiday' and 462 'Work and Holiday' cover different country lists; 462 may require a government support letter, minimum education, and English for some nationalities).
Have adequate funds - typically around AUD 5,000 - plus a return/onward travel ticket or the funds for one.
No dependent children accompanying you.
Meet health and character requirements.
For a 2nd-year visa: complete 88 days (3 months) of eligible 'specified work' in a regional area; for a 3rd-year visa: 6 months (179 days) of specified work during the 2nd-year visa.

Requirements reviewed June 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.

Recent changes & caveats

417 (Working Holiday) and 462 (Work and Holiday) differ by country list and entry conditions - 462 historically has stricter requirements (English, education, sometimes country caps/ballots, and a government support letter) for some nationalities. Since 2023 the old 6-month-per-employer work limit no longer applies. Confirm your specific country's age limit and conditions.

Australia visa requirements on VisaGlance — Before the points test, check whether you need a visa just to enter Australia — and which one fits your passport — on our companion site VisaGlance.

Other Australia routes

Visitor visa (subclass 600)

Temporary

Australia's main short-stay visa for tourism, visiting family, or short business activities - by far the most-applied-for Australian visa.

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) - Points-tested stream

Permanent

The flagship 'no sponsor needed' permanent visa: score enough points, get invited, then live and work anywhere in Australia.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

Permanent

Points-tested permanent residence with a state/territory nomination that adds 5 points and can rescue a borderline score.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Provisional

A 5-year regional provisional visa worth a big +15 points, designed as a stepping stone to PR via subclass 191.

All Australia immigration routes