Visas
Working Holiday Maker visas (subclass 417 and 462)
Two near-identical visas for young travellers. Work rights, the 6-month employer rule, second-and third-year specified work, and the 2024 changes for UK passport holders.
Published 17 May 2026 · Last reviewed 17 May 2026
Two near-identical visas for young travellers (18–30 generally, 18–35 for some passports). Subclass 417 is for partner countries with reciprocal arrangements (UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, Korea and others). Subclass 462 is for the other partner countries (US, China, Vietnam, Spain, Indonesia, and so on).
What it lets you do
- Live in Australia for 12 months.
- Work for any employer, but no more than 6 months with the same employer (unless an exemption applies — different regions or roles within the same large employer can count separately).
- Study for up to 4 months.
- Travel in and out freely.
Second and third years
- A second 417 / 462 requires "specified work" — typically 88 days of eligible work in a regional or specified industry while on your first visa.
- A third visa requires another 6 months of specified work while on your second.
- For UK passport holders, the 417 specified-work requirement was removed for second and third visa applications lodged on or after 1 July 2024.
- Canadian, French and Irish 417 holders have an age cap of 35; most others are 30.
Common gotchas
- "Specified work" rules are strict. Cash-in-hand farm work without proper records, or work for an employer not paying award rates, often doesn't qualify and exposes you to exploitation. The Fair Work Ombudsman has been clear about this.
- "Same employer for no more than 6 months" applies even if you change roles. Get written permission for exceptions.
- Some employers in regional Australia advertise "88 days" arrangements that turn out to be unpaid or below-award. If the deal feels off, it is. See common scams and underpayment and wage theft for who to call.
Where to read more
- Working Holiday visa (subclass 417): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417
- Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462
- Specified work — 417: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/specified-work
- New WHM arrangements for UK passport holders: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/latest-news/arrangements-uk-passport-holders