All about the Working Holiday Visa in Australia!

Australia is the quintessential destination for backpacking and van life. Every year, more than 200,000 young people from around the world embark on the adventure of a lifetime there.
Wherever you are in the process of working holiday preparation, pvtistes.net provides free information and resources to help with your planning and big move.
Working Holiday Visa travel insurance

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation).

1 Eligibility requirements
Age limit

Between 18 and 30 years old (35 for some nationalities)

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Valid passport

A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday

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Sufficient funds

At least AU$5,000 or equivalent in another currency

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Qualifying citizenship

Must be a citizen of a partner country

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Health insurance (recommended)

Should cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation

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Beat the quota

Apply before the annual quota is reached

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Contents
2 FAQ

01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?

WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.

WHV holders in Australia can initially stay for up to a year, and freely travel and work in Australia during this period.

02. What is the difference between WHV subclass 417 and 462. 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.

    Both subclasses of WHV entitle you to the same work and study conditions, so there is no difference in the WHV experience once you arrive in Australia.

    03. Which nationalities are eligible?

    The WHV to Australia is available to young adults from 40+ countries, including Canada, Germany, Ireland and the UK.

    Check your eligibility here: subclass 417 and subclass 462.

    04. How long is the visa good for?

    WHV holders can initially stay for a period of 12 months. Participants who complete specified work can extend their stay by two additional WHVs, each one valid for another 12 months.

    Exception: British citizens do not need to complete specified work and can automatically apply for the Second and Third Year WHV, equalling a total of 36 months in Australia.

    05. What are the quotas?

    There are two subclasses of WHVs: 417 and 462. Subclass 417 does not have an annual quota and is available to several nationalities, including Canadians, British, Irish and Germans.

    Citizens of many other countries are only eligible for the subclass 462 visa, which is subject to annual quotas.

    The cap, however, applies only to the first-time WHV applicants; individuals applying for a first or second renewal of their WHV are not subject to a quota.

    06. What is the application fee?

    The application fee is AU$635.

    07. What documents are required for the application?

    Documents must be in English:

    • ID pages of your passport
    • Proof of funds equivalent to AU$5,000 + extra savings for an eventual return flight

    Some applicants might be asked to provide the following:

    • Medical exam certificate
    • Police background check

    08. Can I leave and re-enter Australia?

    Once you have entered Australia and validated your WHV, you can leave and re-enter as many times as you want, whenever you want. However, keep in mind that time spent outside the country still counts towards your WHV period of validity.

    For example, if you have a 12-month WHV and spend three months travelling New Zealand, you will only have nine months left to spend in Australia.

    09. Do I need to buy health insurance?

    Though 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 covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

    10. If I don't use my WHV within 12 months of it being issued, can I apply again?

    You must enter Australia within the 12 months following issuance of your WHV to activate it. If you miss this window, your WHV is no longer valid and you will need to re-apply.

    You will need to go through the application process again, including paying the fee.

    11. Can I start work right away?

    Before you can start working, you will need to obtain a Tax File Number (TFN).

    12. Can I bring my spouse and/or children?

    If you want to go to Australia on a working holiday as a couple, each person must submit their own application. All applications will be processed independently.

    You cannot bring children on your Australian WHV.

    13. Where do I apply?

    The application must be completed on Australia’s official website. After making an account, you fill out the application form, provide the supporting documents, pay the visa fee, and submit your application. Some applicants may be asked to do a medical exam.

    For more details on how to apply, consult our step-by-step guide to completing the application (Subclass 417 only).

    14. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?

    We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Australia and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.

    We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.

    Contents
    3 Getting a WHV to Australia

    Read about the Australia WHV, its eligibility criteria, and the application process.

    Guide to the Australia WHV application (Subclass 417)
    Useful links
    Contents
    4 Getting ready for departure

    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!

    Useful links
    Contents
    5 Buying WHV health insurance

    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.

    Learn more about Globe WHV
    Useful links
    Contents
    6 Taking your first steps in Australia

    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!

    Library of free articles and guides on the working holiday
    Useful links
    Contents
    7 Finding housing in Australia

    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.

    Find a hostel on Hostelworld
    Useful links
    Contents
    8 Finding a job in Australia

    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.

      All resources about working and volunteering in Australia
      Useful links
      Contents
      9 Check out our airfare and other deals

      Take a look at some of our great deals for working holiday makers. Benefit from preferential airfare from your home country to Australia and back when booking your flight with Ulysse.

      Plus, check our other offers on insurance, car rentals, language courses and more!

      Learn more about Ulysse
      Our special offers
      Take advantage of our special offers for flights, banking, money transfers, and language courses.
      Read more
      Contents
      10 Travelling in Australia

      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!

      Tourism and travel tips for Australia
      Contents
      Age limit

      The age limit varies by nationality.
      – Canada: 35
      – Germany: 30
      – Ireland: 35
      – United Kingdom: 35
      For all other eligible nationalities, see the official website.

      Valid passport

      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 have lost or renewed your passport after visa issuance, you must alert the Australian authorities.

      Sufficient funds

      You must show savings of at least AU$5,000 or the equivalent in another currency to prove you are able to support yourself upon arrival in Australia.

      Unless you already have a return flight booked, you need to show additional funds to prove you can purchase one at the end of your stay.

      Qualifying citizenship

      Partner countries are eligible for either a WHV subclass 417 or 462, but not both. To list a few examples, citizens of Canada, Germany, Ireland and the UK are eligible for subclass 417. Citizens of the US, China and Singapore are eligible for subclass 462.

      For all other nationalities, see our full guide for the Australia WHV application.

      Health insurance (recommended)

      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.

      Beat the quota

      There is no annual quota for the following nationalities:
      – British
      – Canadian
      – German
      – Irish
      Some other nationalities are subject to a quota. Check the current quota for your citizenship…