Obtaining a working holiday visa is one way to experience the renownedly relaxed Australian way of life if you’re interested in living and working there.
Young people and recent graduates from all over the world are drawn to Australia because of its world-class beaches, sunny weather, and breathtaking natural scenery. It’s simple to understand why so many individuals think about relocating to Australia.
They are attracted to its hospitable, culturally rich, and diverse cities, which provide excellent employment prospects. This post will cover everything you need to know about the Australia working holiday visa, including who is eligible, how to apply, and the types of jobs available. So, let’s get started.
What is the Working Holiday Visa in Australia?
The Australia working holiday visa (subclass 417) is designed for young people aged 18-35 who want to visit the country for an extended period. With this visa, you can earn money to pay for your holiday and get valuable experience working abroad.
During your time in Australia, you’ll be able to do short-term work legally, study for up to 4 months, and travel to and from Australia whenever you want. In addition, the working holiday visa lasts a certain period, and it can’t be extended.
However, you can apply for another Working Holiday visa if you meet the conditions. Unlike some other country’s working holiday visa schemes, which have a limited number of permits available and draw from a pool of candidates, anyone can apply for this kind of visa for Australia.
Of course, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements and conditions, which we’ll look at next. Remember that you can’t bring family or dependent children with you to Australia with this visa.
What is the Australian Work and Holiday Visa?
Confusingly, Australia has two working holiday visas with similar names. These are:
- The Australian Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
- The Australian Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462).
The two visas are almost identical, with the same conditions and many of the same eligibility requirements. However, the key difference is in who can apply for the Australian Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462).
It is only for people aged 18-30, not 18-35, like the Australian Working Holiday visa. UK passport holders aren’t eligible to apply for it, as it’s only available to citizens of countries including the US, Singapore, Vietnam, and some European countries.
This visa also has an education requirement. Depending on your nationality, you’ll need to have attained a certain level of educational qualification. In contrast, the Australian Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) doesn’t have any educational requirements.
Things to Do on an Australia Working Holiday Visa
Whether you’re planning a gap year, growing your professional profile, or want to try something different, a working holiday in Australia caters to a great variety of travelers.
- On a Working Holiday visa in Australia, you can pursue short-term work placements and stay with a single employer for up to six months – regardless of whether the work is full-time, part-time, casual, or voluntary.
- You can also study for a maximum period of four months in Australia alongside work on this visa. This flexibility gives you the chance to get to know destinations better and, if you wish to, travel around the country.
- While some travelers call one location their home for 12 months, others take advantage of the freedom that a working holiday gives you. If you want to start in Sydney and finish your working holiday in the Outback, nothing’s stopping you!
- In addition, you can reenter the country as many times as you like. Although your visa will still expire on the same date, this is a fantastic opportunity for any traveler looking to explore Asia or New Zealand in between work placements.
Who Qualifies for an Australia Working Holiday Visa?
The Australia Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417) is open to travelers who meet the following requirements.
- Hold a valid passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction.
- Meet the age requirements of your nationality.
- Have sufficient proof of funds (minimum $5,000)
- Must apply online from outside Australia
- Cannot be accompanied by dependent children
- Have not previously applied for a 417 visa
Please note that the 417 visa is individual, which means that each person must apply separately. Family members cannot be included in a single visa application. You can, however, have a person apply on your behalf, and this is a service we provide.
How Long Can I Stay in Australia With a Working Holiday Visa?
Your Working Holiday visa is active from the day that you arrive in Australia and lasts 12 months. The 417 visa is multi-entry, which means that you can enter and reenter Australia as many times as you like.
However, your visa does not expire. You must enter Australia within 12 months, typically from the date of your visa grant.
Can I Extend a Working Holiday Visa for Australia?
Yes, you can stay in Australia for up to three years under three different visa specifications (all are still 417). When your First Working Holiday visa has commenced, then you can apply for the Second. The same is true for the Third Working Holiday visa.
Please note that you must meet all the eligibility requirements each time you apply. Travelers can choose to complete these visas consecutively, do some traveling, or work abroad elsewhere in between.
Thanks to recent visa updates, UK citizens are no longer required to complete three and six months, respectively, of farm or rural work to apply for their Second and Third Working Holiday visas (Subclass 417).
These changes came into effect on July 1, 2024, so please note that if you applied for a Working Holiday visa before the legislation changes, you may still be required to do farm or rural work for the set length of time.
Jobs on a Working Holiday Visa
The most popular jobs that people on a working holiday pursue are hospitality, retail, and tourism. Thanks to the flexible shifts and schedules, you can work while having more freedom to travel around Australia.
Some travelers on a working holiday find professional work abroad. However, because of the six-month rule, this can be more challenging, depending on your location.
Types of Work on a Working Holiday Visa
You can pursue various work as part of your working holiday in Australia – full-time, part-time, casual, and voluntary! Travelers on a 417 visa can stay with a single employer for a maximum of six months unless special permission is granted.
There are a few exceptions to the six-month rule. These are:
- If the work is in different locations and the employee doesn’t stay at one location for more than six months
- If the work is in one of the following industries: tree farming and felling, fishing and pearling, mining and construction, natural disaster recovery, plant and animal cultivation
- If you work in a critical sector such as agriculture, childcare, food processing, hospitality, tourism, or services for older people and people with disabilities
If you are still determining whether you meet the criteria, your employer can clarify this for you. Travelers are always encouraged to review their working contracts and conditions with their employers.
