Working Holiday Visa Australia 2025 — Complete Step-by-Step Guide

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The Australian Working Holiday Visa is one of the most popular visas in the world — and for good reason. It lets you live, work and travel in Australia for up to 1 year, with the option to extend to 2 or even 3 years.

Subclass 417 vs Subclass 462

There are two types of Working Holiday Visa. Subclass 417 is for passport holders from the UK, Ireland, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Belgium, Switzerland and Malta. Subclass 462 covers additional countries including the USA, China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Turkey and more.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Aged 18-35 (or 18-30 for some countries)
  • No dependent children travelling with you
  • Sufficient funds (around AUD ,000 recommended)
  • Must not have previously held a Working Holiday Visa of the same subclass

How to Apply

Apply online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs website at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. The application fee is AUD 35. Most applications are processed within 1-4 weeks. You must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

Extending to a Second Year

To extend your visa for a second year, you need to complete 88 days (3 months) of specified regional work. This includes farm work, fruit picking, fishing, mining, construction and some hospitality roles in regional areas.

Extending to a Third Year

A third year extension requires an additional 6 months of specified regional work during your second year visa. The work must be in a designated area.

Getting Your TFN

Apply for your Tax File Number at ato.gov.au as soon as you arrive in Australia. It’s free and takes about 28 days. Working without a TFN means you’ll be taxed at 47%.