Quick answer: Australia has two working holiday visas. Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) covers passports such as Italy, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the UK, Germany and Japan, with no annual cap. Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) covers passports such as Spain, Chile, Argentina, Peru and China, and usually has a yearly cap, an English requirement and an education requirement. Both give you 12 months in Australia, the right to work, and a path to a second and third year. Always confirm the details on the Department of Home Affairs website — rules and fees change, usually on 1 July.
Which visa is yours: 417 or 462?
You do not choose. Your passport decides.
| Subclass 417 — Working Holiday | Subclass 462 — Work and Holiday | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical passports | Italy, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Cyprus, Malta, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong | Spain, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador, USA, China, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Türkiye, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brazil and others |
| Annual cap | No cap | Cap for most countries (USA excepted); some run a ballot |
| English requirement | No | Yes (functional English, as of September 2026) |
| Education requirement | No | Yes (varies by country) |
| Letter of government support | No | Required for some countries |
The lists above are indicative as of September 2026. The full, current list is on Home Affairs.
If you are Italian, Taiwanese or from Hong Kong, you are on the 417. There is no cap and no ballot, so you can apply whenever you are ready.
If you are from Spain, Chile, Argentina or Peru, you are on the 462. Each country has a cap for the program year (which starts 1 July). Some countries also need a letter of support from their own government, and you will need to show functional English and a level of post-secondary education. When a cap fills, applications close until the next program year.
If you are from mainland China, you are on the 462 with a ballot system: you register, and Home Affairs randomly selects who can lodge an application. The cap has been 5,000 places per year in recent years, but treat that as “check Home Affairs”, not a promise.
Age limits
- Standard: you must be 18 to 30 inclusive when you apply.
- A handful of 417 countries have a higher limit of 35 (as of September 2026 this includes Italy, France, Ireland, Denmark, Canada and the UK).
- You can turn 31 (or 36) after applying. What matters is your age on the day you lodge.
If you are close to the cut-off, apply first and plan later. You generally have 12 months from the grant date to enter Australia.
What the visa lets you do
Both visas, as of September 2026:
- Stay up to 12 months from your first entry.
- Work for any employer, in any job, subject to the six-month rule below.
- Study or train for up to 4 months.
- Leave and re-enter Australia as often as you like while the visa is valid.
The six-month employer rule (condition 8547). You can normally work for the same employer for a maximum of six months. You can ask Home Affairs for permission to stay longer in some situations (for example, work in different locations for the same employer or certain industries). Do not assume an exemption applies — read the conditions printed on your grant letter.
Cost and processing
Home Affairs sets the visa application charge and it changes most years, so we will not print a number that goes stale. Check the current fee on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. You pay by card at the end of the online application.
Processing times vary with season and country. Many first-visa applications are decided within weeks, but some take months if health checks or extra documents are requested. Apply well before you plan to fly, and do not book non-refundable flights until the visa is granted.
You must be outside Australia when you apply for and are granted your first working holiday visa.
What you need to apply
- A valid passport with plenty of time left on it.
- An ImmiAccount (free) on the Home Affairs website.
- Evidence of funds — Home Affairs may ask you to show you can support yourself at the start of your stay. See our first-month budget guide for what is commonly expected.
- Health checks or a police certificate if requested.
- For the 462: proof of English, proof of education, and a government support letter where your country requires one.
Health insurance is not a visa condition for everyone, but Home Affairs strongly recommends it, and hospital bills in Australia are high. Read why you need travel insurance before you go.
Second and third visas
The working holiday visa can become a two- or three-year stay:
- Second visa: complete 3 months (88 days) of specified work in an eligible regional area during your first visa.
- Third visa: complete 6 months of specified work during your second visa.
“Specified work” means certain industries (farming, fishing, construction, some tourism and hospitality in northern and remote areas, and disaster recovery) in eligible postcodes. The lists differ between the 417 and 462, and they change. As of 2026, UK passport holders no longer need specified work for their second or third visa. Full detail in 88 days: how to get your second visa.
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What to do next
- Confirm your subclass, cap and age limit on Home Affairs.
- Create your ImmiAccount and gather your documents.
- Sort insurance and a bank account before you fly.
- Work out your first-month budget.
- Grab the free KoalaGuide and join the community.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 417 and 462 visas?
Both let you work and travel in Australia for up to a year. The 417 (Working Holiday) is for passports such as Italy, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the UK and Germany. The 462 (Work and Holiday) is for passports such as Spain, Chile, Argentina, Peru and China, and usually has an annual cap plus English and education requirements. Check Home Affairs for your country.
How old do I have to be?
Generally 18 to 30 inclusive at the time you apply. A few 417 countries have a higher limit of 35. Check the current age limit for your passport on the Home Affairs website.
Can I work for one employer for the whole year?
Usually no. Standard condition 8547 limits you to six months with any one employer unless Home Affairs grants permission or an exemption applies. Check the conditions listed on your visa grant letter.
How do I get a second working holiday visa?
By completing three months (88 days) of specified work in an eligible regional area during your first visa. A third visa requires six months of specified work during your second. Some passports have different rules, so check Home Affairs.
How much does the visa cost?
Home Affairs sets the application charge and it changes most years, usually on 1 July. Check the current fee on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you apply.
