Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) Complete Guide

The Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) allows eligible young travellers to live, work, and explore Australia for up to 12 months. This guide covers everything you need to know, including eligibility, application process, costs, work conditions, and tips for a successful working holiday experience. 

What is Working Holiday Visa Subclass 417?

The working holiday visa subclass 417 is a temporary Australian visa for young people who want to travel and work in Australia for up to one year.

The visa allows successful applicants to:

• Stay in Australia for 12 months
• Work to financially support their holiday
• Study or complete training for up to four months
• Leave and re-enter Australia multiple times during the visa period
• Apply for additional Working Holiday visas if eligible 

The subclass 417 is different from the Work and Holiday visa subclass 462. Both visas belong to Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program, but eligibility depends mainly on the applicant’s passport country.

The 417 visa is available to citizens from countries that have a Working Holiday agreement with Australia, including many European countries, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and others. 

Who Can Apply for the 417 Working Holiday Visa?

To qualify for the Australia working holiday visa 2026, applicants must meet several basic requirements.

Age Requirement

Applicants must generally be:

• Between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application
• Up to 35 years old for citizens of certain eligible countries

The applicant must submit the application before reaching the maximum age limit applicable to their passport country. 

For example, citizens of countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, and the United Kingdom may be eligible up to age 35, while other nationalities may have a maximum age limit of 30. 

Passport Eligibility

To apply for the visa 417, you must hold a valid passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction.

Eligible countries include:

• Belgium
• Canada
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• South Korea
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Sweden
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom

The eligible country list can change depending on Australia’s agreements with partner countries. Applicants should always check current requirements before submitting their application.

Financial Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate that they have enough funds to support themselves when arriving in Australia.

Generally, applicants should have approximately:

• AUD $5,000 for initial living expenses
• Additional funds for an onward or return travel ticket

The purpose of this requirement is to ensure travellers can support themselves without becoming financially dependent during their stay. 

Health and Character Requirements

Applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

Depending on personal circumstances, applicants may need:

• Health examinations
• Police certificates
• Additional documentation

The Australian Department of Home Affairs assesses each application individually. 

Other Eligibility Requirements

Besides age and nationality, applicants must satisfy additional requirements.

You Must Not Have Dependent Children

Applicants cannot bring dependent children with them while holding a Working Holiday visa subclass 417.

This visa is designed for individual travellers, and family members cannot be included in the application.

You Must Apply From Outside Australia for Your First 417 Visa

For a first 417 visa Australia, applicants normally need to apply while outside Australia.

After receiving approval, they must enter Australia within the specified period to activate the visa. 

Benefits of the Working Holiday 417 Visa

The working holiday 417 provides several advantages compared with many other Australian temporary visas.

1. Live in Australia for One Year

The first Working Holiday visa allows travellers to stay in Australia for up to 12 months.

During this time, visa holders can travel throughout Australia and experience different cities, regions, and lifestyles.

2. Work While Travelling

The biggest advantage of the 417 visa Australia is the ability to work legally during your stay.

Common jobs include:

• Hospitality
• Restaurants and cafes
• Hotels
• Tourism
• Agriculture and farm work
• Construction support roles
• Retail
• Cleaning services

The income earned helps travellers cover accommodation, transportation, food, and other expenses.

3. Study in Australia

Visa holders can study for up to four months while in Australia.

This is useful for:

• English language courses
• Short professional courses
• Skills development programs

However, if studying is the main purpose of the stay, another visa type may be more appropriate.

4. Travel Freely Inside and Outside Australia

The working holiday visa subclass 417 allows multiple entries during the visa period.

Travellers can leave Australia and return without needing a new visa, provided the visa remains valid. 

How Long Can You Stay in Australia With Visa 417?

The 417 visa Australia allows eligible applicants to stay in Australia for up to 12 months from the date they first enter the country.

During this period, holders of the working holiday visa subclass 417 can:

• Travel anywhere in Australia
• Work for different employers
• Study short courses
• Enter and leave Australia multiple times

The visa is designed as a cultural exchange program, meaning the main purpose should be travelling and experiencing Australia, while employment helps travellers financially support their stay.

Many travellers choose the working holiday 417 because it provides flexibility. Unlike employer-sponsored visas, applicants do not need a job offer before arriving in Australia.

Second Working Holiday Visa 417

One of the biggest advantages of the subclass 417 is the possibility of extending your stay beyond the first year.

Eligible applicants may apply for a:

• Second Working Holiday visa
• Third Working Holiday visa

The second working holiday visa Australia 417 allows travellers to remain in Australia for another 12 months after completing the required specified work.

To qualify, applicants generally need to:

• Hold or previously hold a first Working Holiday visa
• Meet all visa conditions
• Complete the required amount of specified work in Australia
• Continue meeting age and passport requirements

Specified Work Requirements

To apply for a second working holiday visa subclass 417, applicants normally need to complete at least three months of eligible specified work.

This requirement is commonly known as the 88 days work requirement.

The work must:

• Be completed in approved industries
• Take place in eligible locations
• Be paid according to Australian workplace laws

The 88 days do not necessarily need to be completed continuously. Applicants can complete the required period through multiple jobs or employment periods.

What Work Counts for the Second 417 Visa?

Eligible specified work can include several industries.

Industry	Examples of Eligible Specified Work
Agriculture and Farming	Fruit picking Vegetable harvesting Plant cultivation Packing agricultural products Animal farming
Fishing and Pearling	Fishing operations Seafood processing Pearling activities
Mining and Construction	Construction labour Infrastructure projects Regional construction work
Tourism and Hospitality	Hotels Restaurants Tourism businesses Regional hospitality services

Third Working Holiday Visa Australia 417

A third 417 visa Australia may be available for travellers who want to stay even longer.

Applicants generally need to:

• Hold a second Working Holiday visa
• Complete additional specified work requirements
• Meet all other visa conditions

For many applicants, the third-year pathway requires approximately six months of specified work completed while holding their second Working Holiday visa.

However, nationality-specific arrangements may apply. For example, some passport holders have different extension conditions due to changes in Australia’s Working Holiday agreements.

Application Process for 417 Visa

The Australia working holiday visa process 2025 is completed online through Australia’s immigration system.

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before applying for the visa 417, confirm:

• Your passport is from an eligible country
• You meet the age requirement
• You have enough funds
• You meet health and character requirements

Checking eligibility before applying helps avoid unnecessary delays.

Step 2: Create an ImmiAccount

Applications for the working holiday visa subclass 417 are submitted online through an official Australian immigration account.

Applicants need to:

• Create an account
• Complete personal details
• Upload required documents
• Pay the application fee

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents

Common documents include:

• Passport
• A valid passport from an eligible country is required.
• Identity Documents

Step 4: Submit Your Application

After completing the application form and uploading documents:

• Review all information carefully
• Pay the visa application charge
• Submit the application

Providing incomplete information may delay processing.

Step 5: Wait for Visa Decision

Processing times vary depending on application quality, document completeness, and individual circumstances.

Applicants should avoid making final travel arrangements until the visa has been approved.

Cost of Visa 417 Australia

The cost of a 417 visa Australia includes the government application charge, which is AUD 840.

Applicants should also consider additional expenses such as:

• Medical examinations (if required)
• Police certificates
• Document translation
• Flights
• Travel insurance
• Initial accommodation

The visa application charge can change over time, so applicants should check the latest official fee before submitting their application.

Jobs Available on Working Holiday 417

Many travellers use the working holiday 417 to gain international work experience while travelling. Popular jobs include:

Job Category	Examples of Jobs
Hospitality Jobs	Bar staff Waiters Kitchen assistants Hotel workers Cafe employees
Farm Jobs	Fruit picking Farm labour Harvest work Packing jobs
Retail Jobs	Clothing stores Supermarkets Shopping centres
Tourism Jobs	Resorts Tour companies National parks Regional businesses

Visa 417 Australia vs Visa 462

Australia has two main Working Holiday Maker visas, 417 visa and 462 visa. The table below highlights the main differences between them.

Feature	Visa 417	Visa 462
Official name	Working Holiday visa subclass 417	Work and Holiday visa subclass 462
Main purpose	Travel and short-term work	Travel and short-term work
Eligible countries	Different partner countries	Different partner countries
Age limit	Usually 18–30, some countries up to 35	Usually 18–30, some countries up to 35
Education requirement	Generally no education requirement	Additional requirements may apply
English requirement	Generally no English requirement	Additional requirements may apply

Mr. Phong Cao

CEO and Founder of VEM

Mr. Phong Cao is a licensed migration agent by MARA (MARN: 1577877). He is also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), one of the most reputable organizations in the field of immigration in Australia. In addition, Mr. Phong Cao holds a QEAC certification in study abroad consulting (QEAC: K580) and Australian real estate investment (RA85931). With over 12 years of experience in Australian immigration, he provides comprehensive solutions for studying and settling in Australia.