Work and Holiday Visa Subclass 462 & 417
Thinking Australia is all about trendy cafés, street art, and outdoor movies? There’s so much more waiting for you! From breathtaking natural wonders to a relaxed, adventurous lifestyle — Australia is full of unforgettable experiences.
If you're aged between 18 and 30, the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462 or 417) lets you live, travel, and work across Australia for up to 12 months. With this visa, you can explore the country at your own pace while taking up short-term jobs in any industry.
Work and Holiday Visa – Overview
The Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) is a temporary visa designed for young travelers aged 18 to 30 years. It allows you to explore Australia for up to 12 months, while also engaging in short-term employment to support your holiday.
What This Visa Lets You Do:
🔹 Stay in Australia for up to 12 months, with multiple entries and exits
🔹 Study for up to 4 months
🔹 Work for up to 6 months with a single employer
🔹 Become eligible to apply for a Second Work and Holiday Visa after completing 3 months of specified work in Northern Australia in industries like hospitality, agriculture, tourism, forestry, or fishing
Eligibility Criteria for the First Work and Holiday Visa:
To apply for your first Work and Holiday Visa, you must:
🔹 Be a genuine visitor with the intention to holiday and work
🔹 Be outside Australia at the time of application
🔹 Be aged between 18 and 30 years
🔹 Hold a valid passport from a country participating in Australia’s Work and Holiday program
🔹 Meet health, character, and education requirements
🔹 Demonstrate functional English proficiency
🔹 Provide a letter of support (unless you're from Israel, China, or the USA)
🔹 Not have previously held a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
🔹 Not be accompanied by a dependent child during your stay
🔹 Show proof of sufficient funds for your stay and to purchase a return or onward travel ticket
Eligibility for the Second Work and Holiday Visa:
To apply for your second visa, you must:
🔹 Comply with all conditions of your first Work and Holiday Visa
🔹 Have held only one Work and Holiday visa prior
🔹 Complete 3 months of specified work in Northern Australia while on your first visa
🔹 Still be under 31 years of age
Eligible Countries for Work and Holiday Visa (SC 462)
- Argentina
- Austria
- Brazil
- Chile
- China, People’s Republic of
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- Greece
- Hungary
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Mongolia
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Türkiye
- Uruguay
- United States of America
- Vietnam
Eligible Countries for Working Holiday Visa (SC 417)
- Belgium
- Canada
- Republic of Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders)
- Republic of Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport)
- The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Health and Character Requirements for Work and Holiday Visa
To be eligible for the Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462), applicants must meet the following health and character standards:
🔹 Provide proof of health assessments or medical examinations (if required).
🔹 Submit police clearance certificates from each country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years (since turning 16).
Education Requirements
The educational qualifications needed for this visa may vary based on the passport you hold. Make sure to check the specific criteria applicable to your country before applying.
Functional English Requirements for First-Time Applicants
You must demonstrate functional English proficiency by meeting one of the following conditions:
🔹IELTS: An average band score of 4.5, achieved within 12 months before lodging your visa application
🔹PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 30, completed within 12 months of application
🔹Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): An overall score of 147 or higher
🔹TOEFL iBT: A total score of at least 32
🔹Completion of five years of secondary or higher education at an English-medium institution
Health Insurance Requirements
All Work and Holiday Visa holders are responsible for their own healthcare costs while in Australia. It is strongly advised to have sufficient health insurance coverage during your stay.
You will not be covered under Australia’s Medicare system unless your home country has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia.
Eligible Family Members for Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
Please note that you cannot include dependent children on your Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462).
If you wish to travel with your partner or spouse, they will need to apply for their own separate visa.
No Outstanding Debts to the Australian Government
To be granted this visa, you must not owe any money to the Australian Government. If you do, you must have a formal arrangement in place to repay any debts before your visa can be approved.
📅 Ready to explore Australia the right way?
Book a consultation with our experienced migration experts at Education Connect and take the first step toward your Australian adventure.
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