All about the Working Holiday Visa in Australia!

The different subclasses are determined by citizenship, so you will need to apply for the relevant subclass for your nationality. Check your eligibility: subclass 417 and subclass 462. You cannot take part in both categories.

There are slight differences between the eligibility requirements, for example some countries under the 417 WHV can apply up until the age of 35, whereas the 462 WHV is only available for 18-30-year-olds. Subclass 462 must also meet an education requirement, prove a certain level of English language skills and may have to provide a letter of support from their government.

No, both subclasses of WHV entitle you to the same conditions, which are:

• Do short-term work in Australia to help pay for your holiday (can only work for the same employer up to six months)
• Study for up to four months
• Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want during your 12-month WHV
• Do three months of specified work to become eligible for a Second WHV (if you don't already qualify based on citizenship)

If you want to apply for a Second or Third WHV, the types of specified work you must complete will differ based on your subclass.

There are quotas for visa subclass 462. For the best chances, apply earlier in the program year, which starts on July 1 of every year. Check the official website for the quota status by nationality.

Subclass 417 is not subject to any quotas.

You can apply at any time, as long as the annual quota hasn't been reached yet (applicable only to subclass 462). However, note that you will need to enter Australia within 12 months after your WHV is issued in order to activate it.

Rejections are rare; more than 99% of applications are successful. In rare cases of rejections, reasons could be related to the medical exam or the background check.

As a part of the application, you are required to have at least AU$5,000 or the equivalent in another currency. Unless you have already bought a return flight, you also need to show additional funds that would be sufficient to purchase one later on. We advise that, if possible, you arrive with even more than this, so that you have a safety net for upfront expenses such as housing and furniture. It may also take you a few weeks or months to start your first job.

See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.

Every Australian city is great in its own way! For some ideas, check out our article Which city should you start your Australian working holiday in?

Thought private health insurance is not required by Australian authorities for the WHV application, it is still strongly recommended because, otherwise, even small incidents can lead to a significant out-of-pocket cost. You should choose an insurance that covers medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

We have been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They've accompanied thousands of working holiday makers in their adventures.

No, as long as you can prove that you have sufficient funds to purchase a return flight later on. This amount is in addition to the AU$5,000 that you should already have.

You can drive with your home driving licence for a certain period of time in Australia. Your home country licence must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit if it is not written in English.

The period of time you can use your home licence for varies from state to state. Be sure to check the rules of the state you are in before driving.

For your arrival in Australia, make sure to carry with you:

• Your passport
• Your Working Holiday Visa
• Proof of funds equivalent to at least AU$5,000

Once you pass immigration, your WHV is officially validated for 12 months and you can start your adventure!

These are the limits for tobacco:

• One unopened pack of 25 cigarettes (or 25 grams of tobacco)
• One opened pack of cigarettes

As for alcohol, you can bring up to 2.25L.

It is possible, but there are steps involved with your vet, airline, and Australian authorities. Consult this official page to see all the steps and be aware that it can be a costly and lengthy process.

You may also struggle to find accommodation that is pet-friendly. Remember that many national parks do not allow dogs.

The most important initial steps are to open a bank account and obtain a Tax File Number (TFN).

• It is very easy to open a bank account in Australia. Learn more.
• The TFN s a personal number that employers require in order to pay employees. It is free to obtain. Learn more.

Each WHV is a separate application process and fee, so you are technically not "renewing" your WHV. However, depending on your citizenship, you may be eligible to apply for a Second and Third WHV (meaning you could stay in Australia for up to 36 months).

For those citizenships that are not automatically eligible, you can complete specified work to become eligible. You need to complete three months of specified work during your First WHV to be eligible for a Second WHV. On your Second WHV, you need to complete six months of specified work to be eligible for a Third WHV.

For more info on specified work, see the conditions for Subclass 417 and Subclass 462.