Commonwealth of Australia · youth mobility
Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Short-term work-and-travel visa for young people from participating countries.
- Processing time
- 1–4 weeks typical.
- Government fees
- From AUD 650.
- Typical duration
- 12 months per grant; up to 3 visas with qualifying specified work.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 22 July 2026, the Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) for Commonwealth of Australia has typical processing of 7 days – 2 months. Sources: official Commonwealth of Australia government pages, reviewed 22 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/australia/working-holiday#answer
What is the Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) in Commonwealth of Australia?
Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) is an unsponsored Australia route. Indicative government fees are From AUD 650; indicative processing time is 1–4 weeks typical; typical duration is 12 months per grant; up to 3 visas with qualifying specified work. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Department of Home Affairs on 1 June 2026.
Overview
Australia's Working Holiday Maker programme has two subclasses: 417 (Working Holiday) for countries under the longstanding arrangement (UK, Ireland, Germany, France, etc.) and 462 (Work and Holiday) for countries with newer agreements (USA, China, Vietnam, etc.). Up to 3 years possible with agricultural/regional work extensions.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
British applicants
British nationals aged 18–35 qualify under the expanded UK–Australia Free Trade Agreement terms (previously 18–30). Quot…
Japanese applicants
Japanese applicants use subclass 417 (not 462) with a moderate annual cap that rarely binds. Application is direct with …
South Korean applicants
South Korean applicants also use subclass 417 with a higher annual quota. Korean applicants must provide a police certif…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Participating country nationality.Australian Government — Department of Home Affairs (Consulate-General, Noumea) ↗
- ✓Aged 18–30 (or 35 for some countries).Australian Government — Department of Home Affairs (Consulate-General, Noumea) ↗
- ✓Funds of approximately AUD 5,000 and onward travel.Australian Government — Department of Home Affairs (via Australian Embassy Hanoi / Consulate-General Ho Chi Minh City) ↗
Common blockers
- !Aged outside band.Australian Government — Department of Home Affairs (Consulate-General, Noumea) ↗
- !Already reached 3-visa lifetime cap.
Typical evidence
Application pathway
Apply online
Simple individual application.
Travel and work
Most employers can hire for up to 6 months per employer.
Extend via specified work
3 months of specified regional work unlocks 2nd-year visa; 6 months the 3rd.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicantApply for Working Holiday ↗
Applicants use this Home Affairs page to confirm eligible passports and start the online Working Holiday application.
Department of Home Affairs · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: From AUD 650.. A decision then typically takes 7 days – 2 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in Australia on Working Holiday visas?+
Up to 12 months per visa, and up to three consecutive visas with qualifying specified work extensions — potentially 3 years total.
Is the Working Holiday visa a route for bringing my family to Australia?+
No. The Working Holiday Maker visa is a short-term work-and-travel visa for young people from participating countries and does not lead to settlement, so it is not designed as a family route. Check dependant rules and other visa options on the Department of Home Affairs.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in AustraliaHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Department of Home Affairs
Last checked: 1 June 2026