Working

holiday visa

(subclass 417)

WHV.jpg

This visa lets people 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) from selected countries* - and Canadian, Danish, French, Irish, Italian and UK** citizens 18 to 35 years old (inclusive) - have their first extended holiday in Australia and work here to help fund their trip.

Duration of stay - 12 months with each WHV (maximum 3 subject to eligibility)

Location at time of application: You must be outside Australia when you apply for your first WHV. You can be either inside or outside Australia when you apply for your second or third WHV.

To be granted your first WHV you must be outside Australia.

Main visa criteria

1st WHV:

  • You must have a passport from an eligible country 

  • You must have enough money to initially support yourself while you are in Australia. This is usually about AUD5,000

2nd WHV:

  • You must have completed 3 months of specified work while holding your first WHV

  • You must have enough money to initially support yourself while you are in Australia. This is usually about AUD5,000

3rd WHV:

  • You must have completed 6 months of specified work while holding your first WHV or a bridging visa between your first and second WHV

  • You must have enough money to initially support yourself while you are in Australia. This is usually about AUD5,000

Specified works

Specified work must be carried out in regional or remote Australia.

Find more about regional/ remote Australia postcodes and specified work (and how to count it),as well as all the requirements for this visa, in our ultimate guide.

* The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is available for the following countries only: Canada, Belgium, 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), The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

** From July 1, 2023, UK passport holders can apply for a Working Holiday visa between the ages of 18 and 35 years inclusive (up from the previous limit of 30). Additionally, beginning July 1, 2024, UK passport holders can obtain up to three separate Working Holiday visas without needing to meet specific work requirements.

Find out more about the Australia- UK Free Trade Agreement here.