All about the Working Holiday Visa in Australia!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation).
Contents
Between 18 and 30 years old (35 for some nationalities)
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least AU$5,000 or equivalent in another currency
Must be a citizen of a partner country
Should cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation
Apply before the annual quota is reached
01. What is the Australia WHV?
02. Annual quota for the Australia WHV
03. The WHV application process
- Application for WHV subclass 417 (Canadians, British, Irish, Germans, Italians, Koreans, Taiwanese, Japanese...)
- Application for WHV subclass 462 (Americans, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese...)
04. Required supporting documents
- ID pages of your passport
- Proof of funds equivalent to AU$5,000 + extra savings for an eventual return flight
- Medical exam certificate
- Police background check
05. Visa application fee
06. Where to apply from
07. Going as a couple or as a family
08. Visa processing times
09. Entry period for WHV activation
10. Entry and departure rights with the WHV
11. Work restrictions with the WHV
12. Studying while on a working holiday
01. What are WHV subclasses 417 and 462 and which one should I get?
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.
02. Do work and travel authorisations differ for holders of subclass 417 and 462?
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.
03. How do I beat the annual visa quota?
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.
04. When should I apply?
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.
05. Could a WHV application be rejected?
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.
06. What budget should I prepare?
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.
07. Where should I start my WHV adventure?
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?
08. Do I need health insurance? Which kind?
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.
09. Do I have to buy a round-trip flight?
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.
10. Can I drive in Australia with my licence?
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.
11. What should I have with me on arrival in Australia?
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!
12. Can I bring tobacco or alcohol?
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.
13. Can I bring my pet?
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.
14. What are the important first steps to take once in Australia?
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.
15. Is it possible to renew my WHV?
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.
Read about the Australia WHV, its eligibility criteria, and the application process.
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!
As mentioned earlier, all citizenships applying for a WHV in Australia should consider purchasing insurance that covers medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation to avoid expensive, out-of-pocket medical costs.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Working Holiday and Other Adventures Abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
As you prepare for your WHV adventure, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience. We have articles that talk you through getting set up in Australia, including how to get your TFN number, local phone number, bank account and more!
Once your application is approved, you will need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Australia before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
You can also consult our helpful resources on finding and securing accommodation in Australia.
- Finding accommodation in Australia
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing Abroad
Working in Australia is a way to finance a fun adventure but also a chance for cultural immersion. Read our resources to learn how to land your first job in Australia.
Remember that you need to obtain your TFN number before starting work.
Australia is a vast country with countless landscapes to discover. Whether it’s for a month, a week, or even a weekend, check out another city or head further afield into the outback!
The age limit varies by nationality.
- Belgium: 30
- Canada: 35
- France: 35
- Germany: 30
- Ireland: 35
- United Kingdom: 35
For all other eligible nationalities, see the official website.
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday. When entering Australia, you must use the same passport as the one used in your WHV application. If you lost or renewed your passport after visa issuance, you must alert the Australian authorities.
You must show savings of at least AU$5,000 or the equivalent in another currency. This is to prove that you are able to support yourself upon arrival in Australia. Unless you already have a return flight booked, you also need to have additional funds to purchase one later.
Partner countries are eligible for either a WHV subclass 417 or 462, but not both. To list a few examples, citizens of Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and the UK are eligible for subclass 417. Citizens of the US, China, Argentina, Malaysia and Singapore are eligible for subclass 462.
For all other nationalities, see our full guide for the Australia WHV application.
Though health insurance is not required for the Australia WHV, it is strongly recommended. You should buy health insurance that covers medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation for the totality of your stay. Without health insurance, out of pocket costs for healthcare in Australia can be very high.
There is no annual quota for the following nationalities:
- Belgian
- British
- Canadian
- French
- German
- Irish
Some other nationalities are subject to a quota. Check the current quota for your citizenship...