417 Working Holiday Visa Australia: Complete 2026 Guide

Who Can Apply: Eligible Countries and Age

The 417 Working Holiday visa is available to passport holders from: Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Age: you must be between 18 and 35 years of age (inclusive) at the time of application for most countries. UK and Irish citizens can apply up to age 35. Some nationalities have a limit of 30 — check the current Department of Home Affairs eligibility list for your passport country. You can only hold one 417 visa (or 462 visa) at a time. If you have previously held an Australian working holiday visa, a second application may still be possible depending on your country of origin and the type of work completed.

What You Can Do on the 417 Visa

The 417 grants permission to work for any employer in Australia, with one key restriction: you cannot work for the same employer for more than six months without permission from the Department. This rule is designed to ensure genuine working holiday activity rather than long-term employment. You can work in hospitality, retail, agriculture, construction, professional services, or any other industry. You can study for up to four months. You can travel in and out of Australia multiple times during the 12-month visa period. You cannot claim Centrelink benefits. You must have health insurance — most working holiday makers purchase travel insurance with medical coverage. Medicare is generally not available on a 417 visa (though citizens of some countries with reciprocal agreements may access limited Medicare services).

Extending to a Second and Third Year

A second 417 visa grants another 12 months. To be eligible, you must complete 88 days (3 months) of specified work in a regional area of Australia during your first 417. Specified work includes: plant and animal cultivation (fruit picking, pruning, farm work); fishing and pearling; tree farming and felling; mining; and construction in regional Australia. The regional areas eligible for second-year work include most of Australia outside major metropolitan centres. A third 417 visa is also available for those who complete 179 days (approximately 6 months) of specified work in a regional area during their second working holiday year. Specified work for the third year can also include bushfire or flood recovery work. The regional work requirement is strictly enforced — keep detailed records including payslips, employer details, dates worked, and tax file number information.

Tax and Working Conditions

As a working holiday maker, you are required to obtain a Tax File Number (TFN) from the ATO before starting work. Without a TFN your employer will withhold tax at the highest marginal rate. Working holiday makers are taxed at 15% on the first AUD $45,000 earned, then at marginal rates above that. Superannuation: your employer must contribute 11% superannuation on top of your wages. You can claim this superannuation back when you leave Australia permanently — submit a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) form to the ATO after departure. Minimum wage: you are entitled to the same minimum wage protections as Australian workers — AUD $24.10 per hour (2026 National Minimum Wage, subject to annual review). If your employer is paying below this, you have the right to report them to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

After the Working Holiday: What Are Your Options?

The 417 is a temporary visa with no direct pathway to permanent residence. If you want to stay in Australia long-term after a working holiday, your options depend on your occupation, qualifications, and whether you have an employer willing to sponsor you. Common transitions: the 482 Skills in Demand visa for those with a skilled job offer; the 189/190/491 points-tested skilled visa pathway for those who meet the skills and points requirements; the 820/801 partner visa if you have entered a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident; or student visas if you want to study while working out your longer-term options. Many working holiday makers use the 417 years to build Australian work experience, improve their English, and explore permanent residency pathways — the local work history adds points for the skilled visa pathway.

How much money do I need to apply for a 417 visa?

The application fee is AUD $840 for a first Working Holiday visa, or AUD $1,000 for a second or third (charges in force from 1 July 2026). You must also demonstrate you have sufficient funds to support yourself on arrival — typically AUD $5,000 is cited as a guideline, though this is not a fixed requirement.

Can I do the same regional work for the whole 88 days?

Yes. You can complete your 88 days with a single employer or spread across multiple employers, provided all work is in an eligible regional area and in a specified occupation category.

My country is not on the 417 list — is there a similar visa?

The Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa covers a different set of countries including the USA, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Argentina, Chile, and others. Eligibility criteria are slightly different — check whether your country is included in the 462 program.

Can I bring my partner on a 417 visa?

Each person must apply individually. Your partner can apply for their own 417 visa if they are from an eligible country and meet the age requirement. There is no dependent or secondary applicant category for working holiday visas.