Dreaming of an adventure down under? If you're an Irish citizen aged 18-35, the Australia Working Holiday Visa could be your ticket to a year (or three!) of exploring, working, and living in Australia. Here's what you need to know: - Eligibility is simple: Have a valid Irish passport and be within the age limit. - Application process: Entirely online, with a fee of AU$670 and proof of AU$5,000 in savings required. - Unique perks for Irish citizens: Enjoy benefits like eligibility for Australian Medicare and no cap on visa numbers. - Work limitations: You can work for any employer but not for more than 6 months with the same one. Ready to start your Australian adventure? Dive into our full guide to get all the details on applying and making the most of your working holiday!Show more
Every year, thousands of young adults from the Republic of Ireland head to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa for an unforgettable aventure Down Under.
If you are 18-35 years old (inclusive) and have a valid Irish passport, this could be you too!
While Australia is a popular working holiday destination among Irish participants, many also choose New Zealand or Canada. To see all the countries that have an agreement with Ireland, click here.
The Australia Working Holiday Visa was launched as part of an agreement between the Irish and Australian governments to give young people from Ireland the chance to experience life in Australia — to travel, work, and discover a new culture. In exchange, young Australians can also spend time living and working in Ireland.
As an Irish passport holder, you can apply for a Working Holiday Visa valid for 12 months. If you complete specified work in eligible sectors during your stay, you can qualify for a 2nd and even a 3rd visa — allowing you to extend your Australian adventure for up to three years in total! Your Working Holiday Visas don’t need to be used back-to-back, as long as you continue to meet the requirements each time you apply.
The Working Holiday Visa is an open work permit, giving you the flexibility to work for almost any employer. However, you can’t stay with the same employer for more than 6 months, since the main purpose of the visa is cultural exchange and exploration, not long-term employment. That’s why most travellers choose short-term or seasonal jobs as they move around the country.
2. Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria are simple. You must:
Be 18-35 years old, inclusive
Have valid Irish passport
If you meet these criteria, then you are eligible to apply for the programme. These same conditions apply for the 2nd and 3rd Working Holiday Visas too, should you choose to stay longer.
3. Application overview
The application can be done entirely online and isn’t complicated. However, you should beware of the following before starting it.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least the next 12 months.
There is a AU$670 application fee (2025 figure, subject to change).
You need to have at least the equivalent of AU$5,000 in savings in your name, plus an additional amount sufficient for an eventual return flight (unless you’ve already bought one). Bank statements will suffice.
Once your visa is granted, you must activate it by entering Australia within 12 months, otherwise your visa will be invalid.
Wise is offering pvtistes.net readers a free first international money transfer of up to £3,000 or the equivalent. Your Wise account will allow you to easily send, receive, and pay in € and AU$ and many other currencies.
If you’re ready to apply, check out our full application guide that walks through the steps:
There are as many ways to spend a working holiday as the number of participants! You’re in the driver’s seat (maybe literally, if you decide to go on a road trip). To get some inspiration, read these interviews with current and past working holiday makers in Australia.
Both subclasses are for the working holiday. The one that you qualify for depends on your nationality. As an Irish citizen, you would be applying for Working Holiday Visa subclass 417.
If you are applying for your first Working Holiday Visa to Australia, you can apply online from anywhere in the world EXCEPT Australia. Once your application is approved, you can then enter Australia.
If you’re applying for your 2nd or 3rd Working Visa to Australia, you may do so from within Australia. Read this guide.
Moving abroad can be stressful! But don’t worry, we have free articles and guides on all of these important topics. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team is a current or past working holiday maker, so everything we write is from actual experience.
Pvtistes.net has a special partnership with Ulysse travel agency. If you book your flight to Australia on their portal, you will have access to preferential airfare, a free checked bag up to 40 kg, and other benefits. Learn more.
I'm a web writer at pvtistes.net. In February 2023 I moved from Vancouver to Paris. Adventures await.
Je suis rédacteur web chez pvtistes.net. En février 2023 j’ai déménagé de Vancouver à Paris. Des aventures m’attendent.
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