Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 & Subclass 462)
Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program offers two visa subclasses for young travelers seeking to holiday and work in Australia: the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462). Both visas allow holders to stay in Australia for up to 12 months, with the possibility of extending the stay by meeting specific work requirements.
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
Eligibility Criteria
Age: 18 to 30 years (inclusive); 18 to 35 years for Canadian, French, and Irish citizens.
Passport: Must hold a valid passport from an eligible country, including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
Previous Visa: Must not have previously held a Subclass 417 or 462 visa.
Financial Requirements: Must have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay and to purchase a return or onward travel ticket. Typically, this is about AUD 5,000.
Health and Character: Must meet health and character requirements.
Work and Study Conditions
Work: Allowed to work in Australia to fund your holiday.
Study: Allowed to study for up to 4 months.
Work Limitation: Cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months.
Extension to Second and Third Year
Second Year: Eligible if you complete 3 months (88 days) of specified work in regional Australia during your first year.
Third Year: Eligible if you complete 6 months of specified work in regional Australia during your second year.
Application Fee
AUD 650 for each visa application.
🌍 Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
Eligibility Criteria
Age: 18 to 30 years (inclusive).
Passport: Must hold a valid passport from an eligible country, including Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, and Vietnam.
Education: Must have completed at least two years of post-secondary education.
English Language: Must meet the English language requirement (minimum IELTS score of 4.5 or equivalent).
Previous Visa: Must not have previously held a Subclass 462 visa.
Financial Requirements: Must have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay and to purchase a return or onward travel ticket. Typically, this is about AUD 5,000.
Health and Character: Must meet health and character requirements.
Work and Study Conditions
Work: Allowed to work in Australia to fund your holiday.
Study: Allowed to study for up to 4 months.
Work Limitation: Cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months.
Extension to Second and Third Year
Second Year: Eligible if you complete 3 months (88 days) of specified work in regional Australia during your first year.
Third Year: Eligible if you complete 6 months of specified work in regional Australia during your second year.
Application Fee
AUD 650 for each visa application.
🔄 Key Differences Between Subclass 417 and Subclass 462
| Feature | Subclass 417 | Subclass 462 |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Countries | 19 countries | 26 countries |
| Age Limit | 18–30 (35 for some countries) | 18–30 |
| Education Requirement | None | At least two years of post-secondary education |
| English Requirement | None | Minimum IELTS score of 4.5 or equivalent |
| Work Limitation | Cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months | Cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months |
| Study Limitation | Allowed to study for up to 4 months | Allowed to study for up to 4 months |
📌 Important Notes
Visa Validity: The visa is valid for 12 months from the date of first entry into Australia.
Multiple Entries: You can enter and leave Australia multiple times during the visa validity period.
Dependents: You cannot be accompanied by dependent children during your stay.
Work Rights: You can work in Australia to fund your holiday, but there are limitations on the type of work and duration with the same employer.
For more detailed information and to apply, visit the official Australian Government website: