Why Apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Australia?

The Working Holiday Visa offers UK citizens a chance to travel in Australia and support their trip with paid work.

• As of December 2024, over 206,000 young people had this visa.
• The UK had the most participants, with about 46,000 citizens holding the visa.
• British holders can now stay up to 3 years without needing to work in specific regions.
• The number of working holiday visas given rose by 20% from last year in early 2025.
• Visa holders spent over AUD 3 billion in Australia in 2024.

*Want guidance to apply for Working Holiday Visa Australia? Sign up with Y-Axis for comprehensive support with the process.

What is the Working Holiday Visa?

The Australia Working Holiday Visa allows young adults from eligible countries to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months. It’s a cultural exchange program designed to promote international understanding while helping young travellers support their stay through short-term employment.

Benefits of an Australian Working Holiday Visa

The Australian Working Holiday Visa offers these benefits.

• You have the liberty to work in Australia during your stay.
• Get to know Australia’s culture, scenery, and varied cities.
• Your earnings can support your travels and way of life.
• You might be able to renew your visa for a second and third year under easy UK rules.
• This can be a starting point for staying longer or finding work.

 

Who Can Apply for the Working Holiday Visa from the UK?

To get a Working Holiday Visa, you need to have a passport from a country that's part of the program and be between 18 and 35 years old when you apply. People applying cannot have kids with them, need to have enough money (usually about AUD 5,000), and must meet certain health and background checks. You have to apply for the visa from outside Australia. If you've had a Working Holiday Visa before, you might be able to extend it, depending on the rules. Everyone needs to agree to follow the work and travel rules of the visa.

Types of Working Holiday Visas

The primary types of Working Holiday Visas are given below.

• First Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417): Valid for 12 months
• Second Visa: renewed after 3 months of specified regional work (waived for UK nationals from July 2024)
• Third Visa: after 6 months of specified work, now also available to UK citizens without regional work requirement

Visa Types: Subclass 417 vs Subclass 462

Australia offers two Working Holiday Visa options: Subclass 417 and Subclass 462. Both allow eligible young adults to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months, but they differ in eligibility criteria and participating countries.

Visa Type	Eligible Countries	Features
Subclass 417	United Kingdom	Easier to renew (2nd & 3rd year options)
	Canada
	Ireland
	France
	Germany
	Belgium
	Denmark	No education or English language requirement
	Italy
	Japan
	Norway
	Sweden
	Netherlands
	Estonia	Requires postsecondary education
	Finland
	South Korea
	Taiwan
	Hong Kong SAR
Subclass 462	United States
	China	May require English language proficiency
	Indonesia
	Vietnam
	Argentina
	Brazil
	Chile
	Malaysia
	Poland
	Thailand
	Turkey
	Uruguay
	Spain
	Greece
	Israel
	Peru
	Austria

Eligibility Criteria for Australia Working Holiday Visa

To be eligible to apply for Australian Working Holiday Visa, applicants should:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old when applying (age limits may differ slightly depending on your country).
• Have a current passport from a country that has a working holiday agreement with Australia.
• Apply for the visa while you are outside of Australia.
• Not bring any dependent children with you.
• Have sufficient funds  (around AUD 5,000) to cover your initial costs.
• Satisfy Australian immigration's health and character standards.
• Maintain adequate health insurance throughout your stay.
• Apply for your first, second, or third Working Holiday Visa and meet the specific requirements for each.
• Agree to follow all Australian visa rules, including those about work and travel.

Documents Required for the Working Holiday Visa

The documents required to apply for the Working Holiday Visa of Australia are given below.

• A current passport from an approved country that's valid for at least six more months.
• A completed online visa application through the Australian immigration website.
• Recent passport photographs that meet Australian standards.
• Proof of funds (like bank statements showing about AUD 5,000).
• A ticket to leave Australia, or proof you can buy one.
• Health insurance papers for your time in Australia.
• A police certificate (if asked for, based on where you're from or where you have travelled).
• Medical exam results (only if the Department of Home Affairs asks for them).
• Your past visa info or proof of specific work (if you're applying for a second or third Working Holiday visa).
• A signed statement that you'll follow the visa rules and that you're coming for a working holiday.

Application Process for an Australian Working Holiday Visa from the UK

The procedure to apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa from the UK is given below.

Step 1: Create an ImmiAccount on the official Australian immigration website.
Step 2: Select the appropriate visa subclass (417 or 462) based on your nationality.
Step 3: Fill out the application form and upload all required documents (passport, proof of funds, police clearance, photo).
Step 4: Pay the visa application fee of AUD $635 through your ImmiAccount.
Step 5: Wait for the visa decision, which typically takes around 14 calendar days.
Step 6: Once approved, enter Australia within 12 months of the visa grant date.

Visa Fees and Costs

Detailed information about the fees and cost of an Australian Working Holiday Visa is given below.

Type of Expense	Cost (AUD)	Approximate GBP
Visa Application Fee	AUD 650	~£340
Biometrics (if requested)	AUD 85	~£45
Health Examination (if required)	AUD 150–350	~£80–£180
Police Clearance Certificate	Varies	Varies
Travel Insurance (recommended)	AUD 200–500	~£105–£260
Flights to Australia	AUD 1,200–2,000	~£620–£1,040

Processing Time for the Working Holiday Visa

Detailed information about the processing time for Australian Working Holiday Visa is given below.

Application Type	Estimated Processing Time
First Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)	15 to 35 days
Second Working Holiday Visa	10 to 25 days
Third Working Holiday Visa	10 to 30 days
Additional Document Requests	Adds 1–3 weeks
Peak Season (Nov–Feb)	Up to 45 days

Validity and Duration of Stay

A Working Holiday Visa, whether it is the first, second, or third one granted, allows the holder to enter multiple times within a one-year validity period. Depending on eligibility, the total stay can be up to three years.

Detailed information about the validity and duration of stay for the Working Holiday Visa of Australia are given below.

Visa Type	Validity Period	Maximum Stay per Grant
First Working Holiday Visa	12 months from entry	Up to 12 months
Second Working Holiday Visa	12 months from entry	Up to 12 months
Third Working Holiday Visa	12 months from entry	Up to 12 months
Total Possible Stay	Up to 36 months (3 years)	In 12-month increments

Work and Travel Rules for Visa Holders

• You can only work for an employer for a maximum of six months.
• You can study or get training for up to four months during your stay.
• You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while the visa is still valid.
• You need to enter Australia within a year of getting your visa.
• You have to keep sufficient health insurance during your entire stay.
• You cannot include dependent children in your visa application or bring them with you to Australia.
• If you want to apply for a second or third visa, you have to finish particular work in regional Australia.
• It is a must to follow all Australian visa rules and local laws during your stay.

Visa Conditions & Extending Your Stay

• You may work with one employer for up to 6 months.
• You can study for up to 4 months.
• Second-year visa: Requires 3 months of specified regional work (or automatic extension for UK citizens under the FTA).
• Third-year visa: Requires an additional 6 months of eligible regional work completed during your second stay.

Pathways After Your Working Holiday Visa Ends

After your Australian Working Holiday Visa is done, you have a few options to stay in Australia legally. Your choice will depend on what you want to do and your circumstances.

• Student Visa (Subclass 500): This lets you stay to study full-time in Australia.
• Skilled Work Visa: If you get work experience in a field where workers are needed, you might be able to get a skilled migration visa.
• Employer-Sponsored Visa: If an Australian employer sponsors you, you can apply for a work visa that can be temporary or permanent.
• Visitor Visa: This is good if you want to stay longer for tourism or travel.
• Partner or Family Visa: If you have close family or a partner who is a citizen or resident, you might be able to apply for this.

Each of these options has its own rules, and it is important to apply before your current visa expires so you can legally stay in Australia.

Common Reasons for Visa Refusal

• An application may face rejection if it is incomplete or inaccurate, such as when documents are missing or the provided information is incorrect.
• The application will not be approved if the person does not meet the set criteria, like with age, nationality, or visa history.
• The applicant needs to show they have enough money (around AUD 5,000) to cover their stay. Not having enough money can cause a rejection.
• Applicants also need to pass health checks and have no criminal record to get approved.
• The applicant needs to explain why they want to enter Australia temporarily.
• Past visa issues, like staying too long or breaking the rules of a previous Australian or other country's visa, can lead to denial.
• For those seeking a second or third Working Holiday Visa, they need to have finished the needed regional work.
• Immigration may be concerned if travel plans or the reasons for visiting Australia are not clear.

How can Y‑Axis help you?

Y-Axis UK is a leading immigration and visa consultancy. We have experience assisting people in their applications for international visas. Our team gives support to ensure your Australian Working Holiday Visa application is accurate and meets immigration needs.

Our services include:

• Checking if you are eligible and giving visa guidance
• Preparing documents and verifying support
• Helping with the online application process
• Visa interview preparation (if required)
• Providing updates on visa rules, work rights, and regional job options
• Personalized guidance on extensions and work eligibility
• Supporting people in their second or third Working Holiday Visa applications