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!
Table of contents
- What is the Working Holiday Visa?
- Eligibility criteria
- Application overview
- Perks of applying as an Irish citizen
- FAQ
1. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
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$840 application fee (2026 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.
If you’re ready to apply, check out our full application guide that walks through the steps:
- Create an ImmiAccount on www.homeaffairs.gov.au.
- Fill out the online application form
- Upload scan of passport and proof of savings
- Pay the application fee
- Wait for your application to be processed
4. Perks of applying as an Irish citizen
Many other countries also have working holiday agreements with Australia, but Irish nationals enjoy unique perks!
- Ireland has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, which means you may qualify for Australian Medicare.
- There is no annual quota for the number of Working Holiday Visas issued to Irish nationals, so you can apply at any time of the year.
5. FAQ
If you have any other questions, feel free to comment below or go to our forum!
Ireland has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement that may make you eligible for Australian Medicare. However, Medicare doesn’t cover all healthcare costs, so it’s still recommended to buy travel medical insurance like Globe WHV. To learn more, read Working holiday in Australia: Do you have to buy health insurance?.
No. There is no annual limit to the number of Working Holiday Visas issued to Irish participants, so you can apply any time of year.
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.
Processing times range from a couple of hours to a few weeks. For more details, read this chapter.
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.
Before starting work, you should open an Australian bank account and apply for a Tax File Number.
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.
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