How long does it take to get a Working Holiday Visa to Australia?

Are you planning to go to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV)? We urge you to start the visa application process as early as possible because processing times are highly unpredictable. Depending on the applicant, you may receive an extremely fast response… or not. This article will give you an idea of how long you should expect approval of your WHV to take.

Current WHV median processing times

According to the Australian government, you are likely to receive your visa within a few days or weeks. The current median processing times reported by the Australian government are (as of July 2025):

• 50% of WHV applications are processed in less than 1 day
• 90% of WHV applications are processed in 81 days

These processing times apply for first, second and third WHV applications.

Visa processing times are regularly updated by the Australian government. You can check the most up-to-date processing times here.

Remember that processing times are unpredictable

Don’t forget that these are just estimated timeframes. To be on the safe side, we recommend submitting your WHV application well in advance of your preferred departure date. Once your WHV has been approved, you have 12 months to travel to Australia and activate the visa, so there’s no need to wait until the last minute! Always plan ahead, especially if your departure date can’t be flexible.

Timelines can vary for many reasons, including staffing issues or the contents of your application and profile. For example, the Australian government sometimes requires working holiday makers to undergo a medical examination by an approved panel physician, depending on the answers given in the application. A request for a medical exam will delay your application, as it can take several weeks to make an appointment, upload the results, and wait for the application to be assessed.

Don’t wait until the last minute to apply

If you’re due to travel to Australia on a specific date, don’t wait until the last moment to apply for your WHV. Also, do not buy your plane ticket until your application has been approved.

As we mention above, once your WHV is issued, you have 12 months to travel to Australia. Note that if you do not arrive within these 12 months, your visa expires. Australia is one of the few working holiday destinations that allows you to re-apply for a WHV if you haven’t used it (provided you still meet the eligibility requirements). So, there really is no reason to apply in a last-minute panic!

How long did it take for your WHV to be granted? Share your experience in the comments section!