Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)

A subclass 417 visa generally allows a 12-month stay, during which eligible visa holders can travel around Australia and work to supplement their holiday funds.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility depends on your passport country, age and individual circumstances. Applicants generally need to:

• Hold a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction participating in the subclass 417 arrangement.
• Meet the applicable age requirement for their passport.
• Satisfy the relevant health and character requirements.
• Meet applicable financial requirements.
• Have no disqualifying previous Australian visa history.
• Meet any additional requirements that apply to their particular passport and application.

Age limits can differ between participating countries. For example, from 1 July 2026, passport holders from Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea became eligible for subclass 417 between 18 and 35 years of age inclusive. UK passport holders also have an 18–35 age range under Australia's current arrangements.

Work Rights

The Working Holiday Visa allows eligible holders to undertake work while travelling in Australia.

Subclass 417 holders can work in any occupation or industry, subject to their visa conditions. However, condition 8547 generally limits employment with one employer to a maximum of six months, unless an exemption applies or permission to work longer is granted.

Working is not mandatory. The visa is intended primarily as a holiday program, with employment allowing travellers to supplement their funds during their stay.

Study and Training

Working Holiday visa holders may undertake study or training, but condition 8548 generally limits study or training to four months during each Working Holiday Maker visa period.

This restriction applies to both subclass 417 and subclass 462 visas. The Working Holiday Maker program is intended for a holiday rather than full-time study.

If your primary purpose is to undertake a longer course of study in Australia, a Student Visa (Subclass 500) may be more appropriate.

Second and Third Working Holiday Visas

Eligible subclass 417 holders may be able to obtain a second or third Working Holiday visa.

For many applicants, completing the required period of specified work can provide eligibility for a further Working Holiday visa. The Department currently applies flexibility to specified-work requirements, and the eligible work and locations depend on the applicable rules.

UK Passport Holders

Special arrangements apply to UK passport holders.

Under current arrangements, eligible UK passport holders can access up to three separate subclass 417 visas without needing to complete specified work for the second or third visa. The applicable age and other visa requirements still need to be satisfied.

Specified Work in Australia

Specified work can be relevant when applying for a second or third Working Holiday visa.

Depending on the applicable rules, specified work can include eligible activities in areas such as:

• Agriculture and plant cultivation
• Animal cultivation
• Fishing and pearling
• Tree farming and felling
• Construction
• Mining
• Certain tourism and hospitality activities in eligible locations
• Other activities recognised under the current specified-work arrangements

The Department has introduced temporary flexibility around specified work, so applicants should check the current rules before relying on particular employment for a second or third visa.

Working Holiday Visa Application Process

Step 1: Check Your Passport Eligibility

Confirm that your passport is from a country or jurisdiction participating in Australia's Working Holiday subclass 417 arrangements.

Step 2: Check Your Age

Confirm the age requirement that applies to your passport country. Age limits are not necessarily identical for every participating country.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

Depending on your circumstances, documents may include:

• Passport
• Identity documents
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Previous Australian visa information
• Health documents, where requested
• Character documents, where required
• Other supporting evidence requested by the Department

Step 4: Lodge Your Application

Apply through the appropriate Australian Government online visa application system and provide accurate information and supporting documents.

Step 5: Complete Additional Requirements

The Department may request health examinations, police certificates, biometrics or additional information depending on your circumstances.

Step 6: Receive Your Visa Decision

Once your application has been assessed, the Department of Home Affairs will notify you of the outcome and applicable visa conditions.

Working Holiday Visa Benefits

Subject to the visa conditions, subclass 417 can allow eligible applicants to:

• Stay in Australia for 12 months
• Travel throughout Australia
• Work during their holiday
• Study or train for up to four months
• Potentially obtain a second Working Holiday visa
• Potentially obtain a third Working Holiday visa
• Gain Australian work experience
• Experience Australian regional areas and different industries

The WHM program currently covers more than 40 partner countries and jurisdictions across the subclass 417 and subclass 462 programs.

Can a Working Holiday Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?

The Subclass 417 is a temporary visa and does not automatically provide permanent residency.

However, depending on your qualifications, occupation, Australian work experience, employer and personal circumstances, you may later become eligible for another Australian visa pathway.

Potential options could include an employer-sponsored visa, skilled migration or another appropriate temporary or permanent visa, provided you independently meet the relevant requirements.

Subclass 417 vs Subclass 462

Both visas are part of Australia's Working Holiday Maker program, but they apply to different groups of passport holders.

Applicants should select the visa based on the passport they intend to use and the applicable country arrangement.

Planning to travel and work in Australia? The Visa can help you understand the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) requirements, work conditions, specified-work rules and potential future visa options.

Australian Working Holiday Maker requirements, country arrangements, age limits, specified-work rules and visa conditions can change. Always check the latest Department of Home Affairs requirements before applying.