Contents
- About the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417 and 462) visas
- Can I apply for the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa?
- Can I apply for second (or third) 417 visa?
- How long can I stay on the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa?
- What are the conditions on the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa?
- How much does the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa cost?
- Can I bring my partner or kids?
- My third Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa is expiring soon, but I’m a dual citizen that has a passport for an eligible country for the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa. Can I apply for the 417 after my third 462 ends?
- Can I apply for Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
- Can I apply for second (or third) 462 visa?
- Example
- You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply
- You must have worked in a specific area, undertaking a specific kind work
- Plant and animal cultivation and construction work in Northern Australia and Regional Australia
- Fishing and pearling, tree framing and felling in Northern Australia
- Tourism and Hospitality work in Northern Australia, or Remote and Very Remote Australia
- Bushfire Recovery Work
- Critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors
- How long can I stay on the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
- What are the conditions on the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
- How much does the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa cost?
- Can I bring my partner or kids?
- My third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa is expiring soon, but I’m a dual citizen that can also apply for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. Can I apply for the 462 after my third 417 ends?
- Work and Holiday (subclass 462) Visa Fact Sheet
The Working Holiday subclass 417 visa and the Work and Holiday subclass 462 Visa
About the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417 and 462) visas
If you are aged between 18 and 35, and you want to live in Australia for at least 1 year, you may be interested in applying for a Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa.
With a WHM visa, you can:
- Live in Australia for one year;
- Work;
- Study;
- Leave Australia and come back, as long as the visa has not expired; and
- Apply for a second or third WHM visa.
There are 2 types of WHM visas that you can apply for. They are the:
- Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa
- Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa
You can only apply for the WHM visa if you are a citizen of one of the countries below.
The list of WHM countries grows every time Australia forms a partnership with another country.
Recently, the Department of Home Affairs has announced that Mongolian, Brazilian, and Indian citizens will soon be able to apply for the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
The Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa
Can I apply for the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa?
You must be outside Australia for your first 417 visa application
If this is the first time you are applying for a 417 visa, you must be outside Australia when you apply. You must also be outside Australia when the 417 visa is granted.
If you are applying for your 2nd or 3rd 417 visa, you may be in or outside of Australia when you apply for and when the 417 visa is granted.
You must be over 18, but not over the age limit, when applying for the 417 visa
Once you have determined that your country is on the list for the 417 visa, you must check that you are not over the age limit for that country when you apply for the 417 visa.
| If you are a citizen of… | You must not be older than… |
| Belgium | 30 |
| Canada | 35 |
| Cyprus | 30 |
| Denmark | 30 (35 from 1 July 2022) |
| Estonia | 30 |
| Finland | 30 |
| France | 35 |
| Germany | 30 |
| Hong Kong SAR | 30 |
| Ireland | 35 |
| Italy | 30 (35 from 1 July 2022) |
| Japan | 30 |
| Malta | 30 |
| Netherlands | 30 |
| Norway | 30 |
| South Korea | 30 |
| Sweden | 30 |
| Taiwan | 30 |
| United Kingdom | 30 |
What if I go over the age limit while I wait for the 417 visa to process?
Some people apply for the 417 visa only just before they go over the age limit for their country. In these cases the Department of Home Affairs can still grant you the 417 visa. You must not be older than the age limit at the time of 417 visa application.
Example
Marco, an Italian citizen, is currently 35 years old. He turns 36 on 5 July 2022. When he heard that the age limit for Italian citizens seeking a 417 visa would increase on 1 July 2022, he was very happy. He thought that he had missed his opportunity to go on working holiday to Australia. He should lodge his 417 visa from 1 July 2022 to 4 July 2022 inclusive, before he turns 36. Even if the visa is still processing after he turns 36, he could still be granted the 417 visa.
You must have sufficient funds to support yourself while in Australia
You’ll need to show the Department of Home Affairs that you have enough money to support yourself while in Australia, and enough money to leave Australia when it’s time. One way to do this is to attach your latest bank statement showing a balance of sufficient funds to pay for food, board, and plane tickets to and from Australia. If you’re applying in Australia, you don’t need to provide this evidence.
Can I apply for second (or third) 417 visa?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements. Once you are granted a second and third 417 visa, you can live in Australia for an additional 12 months from each visa grant.
- To be eligible for a second 417 visa you must have already completed at least 88 days of “specified subclass 417 work” in a certain location, while on: your first 417 visa; or
- a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa, granted after your first 417 expired; or
- a bridging visa you held while the above 408 visa was processed and granted.
To be eligible for a third 417 visa you must have already completed at least 179 days of “specified subclass 417 work” in a certain location, while on:
- your second 417 visa; or
- a bridging visa you held while the second 417 via was processed and granted; or
- a 408 visa, granted after your second 417 expired; or
- a bridging visa you held while the above 408 visa was processed and granted.
You will also need to continue being a citizen of one of the eligible countries listed above. You will also need to meet the age requirement for that country for each 417 visa application.
Example
Marco (above), who applied for the 417 visa when he was 35, was granted the visa when he was 36. After being on the 417 visa he wondered if he could get a second 417 visa. However, since he is now over the age limit (he must not be older than 35), he would not be able to apply.
You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply
If you are already in Australia, you may wish to apply for your second (or third) 417 visa while you are on your current 417 visa. You can also leave Australia and apply for your second (or third) 417 visa while you are overseas.
This only applies if you are currently holding or have previously held a 417 visa. If this is the first time you are applying for a 417 visa, you must be outside Australia at the time you lodge your 417 application, and at the time that your 417 application is granted.
You must have worked in a specific area, undertaking a specific kind work You must have spent some time working in a specific (usually regional) area undertaking a specific kind of work.
| Work… | In Area… |
plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, mining, and construction
|
Regional Australia |
| tourism and hospitality | Northern Australia, or Remote and Very Remote Australia (from 22 June 2021) |
| bushfire recovery work | declared bushfire affected areas only, after 31 July 2019 |
critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors
|
Anywhere in Australia, after 31 January 2020 |
Plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, mining, and construction in Regional Australia
If you’ve worked in these industries, you could be eligible for a second (or third) 417 visa:
- plant and animal cultivation (e.g. such as picking fruit and vegetables, pruning and maintain crops, or processing meat).
- fishing and pearling (e.g. catching fish, or culturing pearls or pearl shells)
- tree farming and felling (e.g. planting, felling, or transporting tress)
- mining (e.g. mining gas, oil, coal or metal ore)
- construction (e.g. scaffolding, landscaping, and building houses or commercial buildings)
The work must have been completed in Regional Australia.
Not all areas in Australia are Regional. Australia is made up of States, Territories, and also includes an island in the South Pacific Ocean called Norfolk Island.
The postcodes that are considered regional for each State, Territory, and Norfolk Island are:
| New South Wales | 2311 to 2312; 2328 to 2411; 2420 to 2490; 2536 to 2551; 2575 to 2594; 2618 to 2739; 2787 to 2898 |
| Victoria | 3139; 3211 to 3334; 3340 to 3424; 3430 to 3649; 3658 to 3749; 3753; 3756; 3758; 3762; 3764; 3778 to 3781; 3783; 3797; 3799; 3810 to 3909; 3921 to 3925; 3945 to 3974; 3979; 3981 to 3996 |
| Queensland | 4124 to 4125; 4133; 4211; 4270 to 4272; 4275; 4280; 4285; 4287; 4307 to 4499; 4510; 4512; 4515 to 4519; 4522 to 4899 |
| Western Australia | 6041 to 6044; 6055 to 6056; 6069; 6076; 6083 to 6084; 6111; 6121 to 6126; 6200 to 6799 |
| South Australia | All postcodes |
| Tasmania | All postcodes |
| Northern Territory | All postcodes |
| Norfolk Island | All postcodes |
Tourism and Hospitality work in Northern Australia, or Remote and Very Remote Australia
You could also work in tourism and hospitality, provided that it is in Northern Australia or Remote and Very Remote Australia. However, they are only counted if you worked from 22 June 2021 onwards, and if you lodge your second (or third) 417 visa on or after 5 March 2022.
Jobs in the tourism industry include:
- a tour guide
- a muser worker or curator
- a travel agent
- a tour bus driver
- an outdoor activity instructor (such as a diving instructor)
Jobs in the hospitality industry include:
- a cook
- a chef
- a barista
- a waitress
- a hotel worker
- a caravan park worker
Northern Australia is determined by the following Postcodes:
| Queensland | 4472, 4478, 4481, 4482, 4680, 4694, 4695, 4697, 4699 to 4707, 4709 to 4714, 4717, 4720 to 4728, 4730 to 4733, 4735 to 4746, 4750, 4751, 4753, 4754, 4756, 4757, 4798 to 4812, 4814 to 4825, 4828 to 4830, 4849, 4850, 4852, 4854 to 4856, 4858 to 4861, 4865, 4868 to 4888, 4890 to 4892, 4895 |
| Western Australia | 0872, 6537, 6642, 6646, 6701, 6705, 6707, 6710 to 6714, 6716, 6718, 6720 to 6722, 6725, 6726, 6728, 6740, 6743, 6751, 6753, 6754, 6758, 6760, 6762, 6765, 6770 |
| Northern Territory | All postcodes |
Remote and Very Remote Australia is determined by the following postcodes:
| New South Wales | 2356, 2386, 2387, 2396, 2405, 2406, 2672, 2675, 2825, 2826, 2829, 2832 to 283, 2838 to 2840, 2873, 2878, 2879, 2898, 2899 |
| Northern Territory | All postcodes |
| Queensland | 4025, 4183, 4417 to 4420, 4422, 4423, 4426 to 4428, 4454, 4461, 4462, 4465, 4467, 4468, 4470, , 4474, 4475, 4477 to 4482, 4486 to 4494, 4496, 4497, 4680, 4694, 4695, 4697, 4699 to 4707, 4709 to 4714, 4717, 4720 to 4728, 4730 to 4733, 4735 to 4746, 4750, 4751, 4753, 4754, 4756, 4757, 4798 to 4812, 4814 to 4825, 4828 to 4830, 4849, 4850, 4852, 4854 to 4856, 4858 to 4861, 4865, 4868 to 4888, 4890 to 4892, 4895 |
| Victoria | 3424, 3506, 3509, 3512, 3889 to 3892 |
| South Australia | 5220 to 5223, 5302 to 5304, 5440, 5576, 5577, 5582, 5583, 5602 to 5607, 5611, 5630 to 5633, 5640 to 5642, 5650 to 5655, 5660, 5661, 5670, 5671, 5680, 5690, 5713, 5715, 5717, 5719, 5720, 5722 to 5725, 5730 to 5734 |
| Tasmania | 7001, 7139, 7255 to 7257, 7466 to 7470 |
| Western Australia | 6161, 6335 to 6338, 6341, 6343, 6346, 6348, 6350 to 6353, 6355 to 6359, 6361, 6363, 6365, 6367 to 6369, 6373, 6375, 6385, 6386, 6418 to 6429, 6431, 6434, 6436 to 6438, 6440, 6443, 6445 to 6448, 6450, 6452, 6466 to 6468, 6470, 6472, 6473, 6475 to 6477, 6479, 6480, 6484, 6487 to 6490, 6515, 6517 to 6519, 6536, 6605, 6606, 6608, 6609, 6612 to 6614, 6616, 6620, 6623, 6625, 6627, 6628, 6630 to 6632, 6635, 6638 to 6640, 6731, 6733, 6798, 6799 |
From 2019 to 2020, Australia suffered a historically intense periods of bushfires in many parts of the country. As such, if you worked from 31 July 2019 in a bush-fire affected region in helping restore the area, it could make you eligible for a second (or third) 417 visa grant.
Jobs in bushfire recovery could be:
- re-building and repairing houses, farms, fences, roads, etc that were damaged destroyed in a bushfire affected community
- caring for wildlife in a bushfire affected community
- providing support services or assisting with victims of bushfires, or those living, working, or volunteering in bushfire-affected areas
- demolition of buildings, trench digging, land clearing and earth moving
- volunteer bushfire recovery work
The following areas were affected by bushfires:
| New South Wales | Armidale, Ballina, Bega Valley, Bellingen, Blue Mountains, Byron, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Eurobodalla, Glen Innes Severn, Goulburn Mulwaree, Gwydir, Greater Hume, Hawkesbury, Inverell, Kempsey, Ku-ring-gai, Kyogle, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Lithgow, Mid Coast, Mid-Western, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Narrabri, Oberon, Penrith, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Richmond Valley, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Sutherland, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Tweed, Upper Hunter, Upper Lachlan, Uralla, Walcha, Wagga Wagga, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly |
| Victoria | Alpine, Ararat, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Falls Creek, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Mansfield, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Mount Stirling, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington, Wodonga |
| Queensland | Bundaberg, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Livingstone, Lockyer Vallev, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba |
| South Australia | Adelaide Hills, Coorong, Kangaroo Island, Kingston, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Mid Murray, Mount Barker, Murray Bridge, Playford, Southern Mallee and Yorke Peninsula |
| Tasmania | Break O’Day, Central Highlands and Southern Midlands |
| Australian Capital Territory | All Areas |
Critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors
If you have worked in the healthcare and medical sector in relation to the current COVID-19 pandemic (such as medical treatment, nursing, contract tracing, testing, research, or cleaning of medical and health care facilities), and that work was undertaken after 31 January 2020, you could be eligible for a second (or third) 417 visa.
You must have worked for at least 3 (or 6) months
To apply for a second 417 visa, you must have worked in any of the above jobs, in the regional area for at least 3 months, or 88 days. This can include weekends and any days off. The 88 days do not have to be consecutive, and you don’t need to stay in the same region or work for the same employer.
To apply for a third 417 visa, the period required to work in any of the above jobs is 6 months (179 days). Again, the 179 days does not need to be consecutive. The work must have been undertaken from 1 July 2019. Any work undertaken earlier than this date won’t count towards the third 417 visa.
Depending on the type of work, you might not necessarily be able to work full-time. This is usually the case with fruit picking jobs, where people are usually paid on a piecework basis (for example, you might be paid $2.00 for every kilogram of fruit you pick). As long as you are working the same number of days that a full-time worker at that job would have worked in the same time, these periods of time can count towards the 88 days required to apply for a second 417 visa.
Jin, a 26 year old South Korean citizen currently on her first working holiday visa, went to work on a raspberry farm in Caboolture shortly after entering Australia.
Caboolture is a regional area, and raspberry picking is a job in the agricultural industry. Her first day was on 1 September 2021. She worked just two to three days a week, only half of what a full-time worker at the farm would have worked. As the work was seasonal, the owners of the farm said that they did not require any workers until the beginning of 2022. So on 1 November, Jin started a new full-time job as a waitress at the bar next door.
Jin quit this job 2 weeks later when she found work on a small chestnut farm in Mount Wilson in New South Wales. She worked in this job until 30 November 2021.
On 1 December Jin started work as a goat farmer, feeding and herding goat on a farm in Deer Vale. Deer Vale is a regional area, and is considered one of the specific types of work she could do to apply for the second 417 visa. She worked here until 23 January 2022.
| Area | Postcode | Area | Work | Will it count? | Period employed | Full or part-time? | Days counted towards the 3-month requirement? |
| Caboolture | 4510 | Regional | Raspberry picking | Yes | 60 days | Part-time | 30 days |
| Caboolture | 4510 | Regional | Waitressing | No | 14 days | Full-time | 0 days |
| Mount Wilson | 2740 | Not on any list | Chestnut picking | No | 16 days | Full-time | 0 days |
| Deer Vale | 2453 | Regional | Goat farming | Yes | 53 days | Full-time | 53 days |
| TOTAL NUMBER OF DAYS UNDERTAKING SPECIFIED WORK IN A REGIONAL AREA | 88 days | ||||||
Jin can apply for a second 417 visa.
How long can I stay on the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa?
Each time you are granted a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa, you can enter (or remain) in Australia for 1 year.
What are the conditions on the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa?
6 month work limitation (8547)
You cannot work for any one employer for more than six months while on the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa. The six months does not need to be consecutive. For example, you might work for your employer for 2 months, then cease employment to take a holiday, and then another 4 months after that. However, if you take a 2-month holiday while employed, those 2 months will count towards the 6-month total.
Your employer might have more than one business. For example, a parent company may own a chain of restaurants, in different locations. Generally, each separate restaurant, with their own Australian Business Number (ABN), would be considered a different employer.
Note that the 6 month work limitation has been temporarily relaxed from 19 January 2022 until 31 December 2022, meaning that you are able to work for the same employer for more than 6 months until 31 December 2022.
You cannot study or train on a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa for more than four months, or 18 weeks.
Workplace based training is not considered study. Workplace based training is considered to be part of your employment.
If you intend to study for longer than 18 weeks, you should consider applying for a Student (subclass 500) visa instead.
How much does the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa cost?
The visa application charge for the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa is currently $495.
If you had a COVID-19 affected visa, you can apply for a refund or a new Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa with a nil (zero) application charge.
COVID-19 affected visa
If you received a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa before 20 March 2020, and it expired before 31 December 2021 while you were overseas, you have what is called a “COVID-19 affected visa”.
For example, say that you applied for your first Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa offshore 19 March 2020. Due to Australia’s COVID-19 border restrictions, it would have been very difficult to enter Australia without a travel exemption, even if you had a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa. This visa would be considered a COVID-19 affected visa.
Say that you held your second Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa on 20 March 2020 and you decided to go back to your home country for a short visit. Again, it would have been very difficult to re-enter Australia before your second Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa expired. This visa would also be considered a COVID-19 affected visa.
If you lost the opportunity to enter before your Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa expired, you could apply for a new Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa with no visa application fee (nil). You can be onshore or offshore at the time you apply, and you must apply before 31 December 2022.
If you are currently overseas and you can’t apply for a new WHM visa because you have passed the age limit for a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa, you can apply for a refund of the COVID-19 affected visa instead.
You can only apply for the nil visa application charge or refund once.
Can I bring my partner or kids?
Some visas allow children and partners to be included in the application. However, for the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa, you cannot include your family members.
My third Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa is expiring soon, but I’m a dual citizen that has a passport for an eligible country for the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa. Can I apply for the 417 after my third 462 ends?
No. if you have already been in Australia as the holder of a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa, you will not be eligible for a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa.
The Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa
Can I apply for Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
You must be outside of Australia for your first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa application
If this is the first time you are applying for a 462 visa, you must be outside Australia when you apply. You must also be outside Australia when your first 462 visa is granted.
If you are applying for your 2nd or 3rd 462 visa, you may be in or outside of Australia when you apply for and when the 462 visa is granted.
You must be over 18, but not over 30, when applying for the 462 visa
Once you have determined that your country is on the list for the 462 visa, you must check that you are not over the age limit for that country when you apply for the 462 visa.
| If you are a citizen of… | You must not be older than… |
| Argentina | 30 |
| Austria | 30 |
| Chile | 30 |
| People’s Republic of China | 30 |
| Czech Republic | 30 |
| Ecuador | 30 |
| Greece | 30 |
| Hungary | 30 |
| Indonesia | 30 |
| Israel | 30 |
| Luxembourg | 30 |
| Malaysia | 30 |
| Peru | 30 |
| Poland | 30 |
| Portugal | 30 |
| San Marino | 30 |
| Singapore | 30 |
| Slovak Republic | 30 |
| Slovenia | 30 |
| Spain | 30 |
| Switzerland | 30 |
| Thailand | 30 |
| Turkey | 30 |
| USA | 30 |
| Uruguay | 30 |
| Vietnam | 30 |
What if I go over the age limit while I wait for the 462 visa to process?
Some people apply for the 462 visa only just before they go over the age limit for this visa. In these cases the Department of Home Affairs can still grant you the 462 visa.
Example
Yen, a Vietnamese citizen, is currently 30 years old. She turns 31 in 2 weeks. She should lodge her 462 visa before her 31st birthday, or else she will be over the age limit. Even if the visa is still processing after her 31st birthday, she could still get the 462 visa.
You may need to show evidence of your education
Once you have determined that your country is on the list for the 462 visa, and that you are not over the age limit on the day that you apply for the visa, you must also check if you have the required level of education.
| If you are the citizen of… | You must .. |
Argentina Austria China Czech Republic Ecuador Greece Hungary Indonesia Luxembourg Peru Poland Portugal San Marino Singapore Slovak Republic Slovenia Spain Turkey Uruguay Vietnam |
Have a degree, graduate certificate, or diploma. The qualification cannot be a certificate or Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. If you don’t have any of these, you must have completed at least 2 years of undergraduate university study. |
| Chile | Have a degree, graduate certificate, or diploma. The qualification cannot be a Certificate I to IV level qualification, or Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. If you don’t have any of these, you must have completed, or have approval to do, a 3rd year of an undergraduate university study. |
| Israel | Have a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education and have either completed military service or be legally exempt from military service. |
| Malaysia | Have a degree, graduate certificate, or diploma. If you don’t currently have any of these, you must have completed at least 2 years of undergraduate university study. The qualification cannot be an advanced diploma, diploma, Certificate I-IV, or Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. |
| Thailand | Have a degree or diploma. |
| Switzerland | Have completed 2 years of study after compulsory schooling. |
| United States | Have a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or equivalent. |
You must have sufficient funds to support yourself while in Australia
You’ll need to show the Department of Home Affairs that you have enough money to support yourself while in Australia, and enough money to leave Australia when it’s time. One way to do this is to attach your latest bank statement showing a balance of sufficient funds to pay for food, board, and plane tickets to and from Australia. If you’re applying in Australia, you don’t need to provide this evidence.
Can I apply for second (or third) 462 visa?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements.
To be eligible for a second 462 visa you must have already completed at least 88 days of “specified subclass 462 work” in a certain location, while on:
- your first 462 visa; or
- a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa, granted after your first 462 expired; or
- the bridging visa you held while the above 408 visa was processed and granted.
You will also need to continue being a citizen of one of the eligible countries listed above. You will also need to meet the age requirement for the 462 visa.
To be eligible for a third 462 visa you must have already completed at least 179 days of “specified subclass 462 work” in a certain location, while on:
- your second 462 visa; or
- a bridging visa you held while the second 462 via was processed and granted; or
- a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa, granted after your second 462 expired; or
- the bridging visa you held while the above 408 visa was processed and granted.
You will also need to continue being a citizen of one of the eligible countries listed above. You will also need to meet the age requirement for the 462 visa.
Yen (above), who applied for the 462 visa when she was 30, and was granted the visa when she was 31. After being on the 462 visa she wondered if she could get a second 462 visa. However, since she is now over the age limit, she would not be able to apply for a second 462 visa.
You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply
If you are already in Australia, you may wish to apply for your second or third 462 visa while you are on your current 462 visa. You can also leave Australia and apply for the second or third 462 visa while you are overseas, if you are currently holding or have previously held a 462 visa. If this is the first time you are applying for a 462 visa, you must be outside Australia.
You must have worked in a specific area, undertaking a specific kind work
While you were in Australia on your first (or second) 462 visa, you must have spent some time working in a specific (usually regional) area undertaking a specific kind of work.
| Work… | In Area.. |
| plant and animal cultivation, construction work | Northern Australia and Regional Australia |
| Fishing and pearling, tree framing and felling | Northern Australia |
| tourism and hospitality | Northern Australia, or Remote and Very Remote Australia (from 22 June 2021) |
| bushfire recovery work | declared bushfire affected areas only, after 31 July 2019 |
| critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors | Anywhere in Australia, after 31 January 2020 |
Plant and animal cultivation and construction work in Northern Australia and Regional Australia
If you’ve worked in these industries, you could be eligible for a second (or third) 462 visa:
- plant and animal cultivation (e.g. such as picking fruit and vegetables, pruning and maintain crops, or processing meat).
- construction (e.g. scaffolding, landscaping, and building houses or commercial buildings)
The work must have been completed in either Regional Australia on Northern Australia.
Not all areas in Australia are Regional. Australia is made up of States, Territories, and also includes an island in the South Pacific Ocean called Norfolk Island. The postcodes that are considered regional for each State, Territory, and Norfolk Island are:
| New South Wales | 2311 to 2312, 2328 to 2411, 2420 to 2490, 2536 to 2551, 2575 to 2594, 2618 to 2739, 2787 to 2898 |
| Victoria | 3139, 3211 to 3334, 3340 to 3424, 3430 to 3649, 3658 to 3749, 3753, 3756, 3758, 3762, 3764, 3778 to 3781, 3783, 3797, 3799, 3810 to 3909, 3921 to 3925, 3945 to 3974, 3979, 3981 to 3996 |
| Queensland | 4124 to 4125; 4133; 4211; 4270 to 4272; 4275; 4280; 4285; 4287; 4307 to 4499; 4510; 4512; 4515 to 4519; 4522 to 4899 |
| Western Australia | 6041 to 6044; 6055 to 6056; 6069; 6076; 6083 to 6084; 6111; 6121 to 6126; 6200 to 6799 |
| South Australia | All postcodes |
| Tasmania | All postcodes |
| Northern Territory | All postcodes in the Northern Territory |
| Norfolk Island | All postcodes |
Postcodes considered to be within Northern Australia are:
| Queensland | 4472, 4478, 4481, 4482, 4680, 4694, 4695, 4697, 4699 to 4707, 4709 to 4714, 4717, 4720 to 4728, 4730 to 4733, 4735 to 4746, 4750, 4751, 4753, 4754, 4756, 4757, 4798 to 4812, 4814 to 4825, 4828 to 4830, 4849, 4850, 4852, 4854 to 4856, 4858 to 4861, 4865, 4868 to 4888, 4890 to 4892, 4895 |
| Western Australia | 0872, 6537, 6642, 6646, 6701, 6705, 6707, 6710 to 6714, 6716, 6718, 6720 to 6722, 6725, 6726, 6728, 6740, 6743, 6751, 6753, 6754, 6758, 6760, 6762, 6765, 6770 |
| Northern Territory | All postcodes |
Fishing and pearling, tree framing and felling in Northern Australia
Other kinds of work that you could complete in Northern Australia include:
- fishing and pearling (e.g. catching fish, or culturing pearls or pearl shells)
- tree farming and felling (e.g. planting, felling, or transporting tress)
Tourism and Hospitality work in Northern Australia, or Remote and Very Remote Australia
You could also work in tourism and hospitality, provided that it is in Northern Australia or Remote and Very Remote Australia. However, they are only counted if you worked from 22 June 2021 onwards, and if you lodge your second (or third) 462 visa on or after 5 March 2022.
Jobs in the tourism industry include:
- a tour guide
- a muser worker or curator
- a travel agent
- a tour bus driver
- an outdoor activity instructor (such as a diving instructor)
Jobs in the hospitality industry include:
- a cook
- a chef
- a barista
- a waitress
- a hotel worker
- a caravan park worker
Postcodes considered to be Remote and Very Remote Australia:
| New South Wales | 2356, 2386, 2387, 2396, 2405, 2406, 2672, 2675, 2825, 2826, 2829, 2832 to 283, 2838 to 2840, 2873, 2878, 2879, 2898, 2899 |
| Northern Territory | All postcodes |
| Queensland | 4025, 4183, 4417 to 4420, 4422, 4423, 4426 to 4428, 4454, 4461, 4462, 4465, 4467, 4468, 4470, , 4474, 4475, 4477 to 4482, 4486 to 4494, 4496, 4497, 4680, 4694, 4695, 4697, 4699 to 4707, 4709 to 4714, 4717, 4720 to 4728, 4730 to 4733, 4735 to 4746, 4750, 4751, 4753, 4754, 4756, 4757, 4798 to 4812, 4814 to 4825, 4828 to 4830, 4849, 4850, 4852, 4854 to 4856, 4858 to 4861, 4865, 4868 to 4888, 4890 to 4892, 4895 |
| Victoria | 3424, 3506, 3509, 3512, 3889 to 3892 |
| South Australia | 5220 to 5223, 5302 to 5304, 5440, 5576, 5577, 5582, 5583, 5602 to 5607, 5611, 5630 to 5633, 5640 to 5642, 5650 to 5655, 5660, 5661, 5670, 5671, 5680, 5690, 5713, 5715, 5717, 5719, 5720, 5722 to 5725, 5730 to 5734 |
| Tasmania | 7001, 7139, 7255 to 7257, 7466 to 7470 |
| Western Australia | 6161, 6335 to 6338, 6341, 6343, 6346, 6348, 6350 to 6353, 6355 to 6359, 6361, 6363, 6365, 6367 to 6369, 6373, 6375, 6385, 6386, 6418 to 6429, 6431, 6434, 6436 to 6438, 6440, 6443, 6445 to 6448, 6450, 6452, 6466 to 6468, 6470, 6472, 6473, 6475 to 6477, 6479, 6480, 6484, 6487 to 6490, 6515, 6517 to 6519, 6536, 6605, 6606, 6608, 6609, 6612 to 6614, 6616, 6620, 6623, 6625, 6627, 6628, 6630 to 6632, 6635, 6638 to 6640, 6731, 6733, 6798, 6799 |
From 2019 to 2020, Australia suffered a historically intense periods of bushfires in many parts of the country. As such, if you worked from 31 July 2019 in a bush-fire affected region in helping restore the area, it could help you to become eligible for a second (or third) 462 visa.
Jobs in bushfire recovery could be:
- re-building and repairing houses, farms, fences, roads, etc that were damaged destroyed in a bushfire affected community
- caring for wildlife in a bushfire affected community
- providing support services or assisting with victims of bushfires, or those living, working, or volunteering in bushfire-affected areas
- demolition of buildings, trench digging, land clearing and earth moving
- volunteer bushfire recovery work
The following areas were affected by bushfires:
| New South Wales | Armidale, Ballina, Bega Valley, Bellingen, Blue Mountains, Byron, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Eurobodalla, Glen Innes Severn, Goulburn Mulwaree, Gwydir, Greater Hume, Hawkesbury, Inverell, Kempsey, Ku-ring-gai, Kyogle, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Lithgow, Mid Coast, Mid-Western, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Narrabri, Oberon, Penrith, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Richmond Valley, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Sutherland, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Tweed, Upper Hunter, Upper Lachlan, Uralla, Walcha, Wagga Wagga, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly |
| Victoria | Alpine, Ararat, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Falls Creek, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Mansfield, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Mount Stirling, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington, Wodonga |
| Queensland | Bundaberg, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Livingstone, Lockyer Vallev, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba |
| South Australia | Adelaide Hills, Coorong, Kangaroo Island, Kingston, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Mid Murray, Mount Barker, Murray Bridge, Playford, Southern Mallee and Yorke Peninsula |
| Tasmania | Break O’Day, Central Highlands and Southern Midlands |
| Australian Capital Territory | All Areas |
Critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors
If you have worked in the healthcare and medical sector in relation to the current COVID-19 pandemic (such as medical treatment, nursing, contract tracing, testing, research, or cleaning of medical and health care facilities), and that work was undertaken after 31 January 2020, you could be eligible for a second (or third) 462 visa.
Angun, a citizen of Thailand (20) currently on her first 462 visa, went to work on a peach farm in Caboolture shortly after entering Australia.
Caboolture is a regional area, and fruit picking is a job in the agricultural industry. Her first day was on 1 May 2021. She worked just two to three days a week, only half of what a full-time worker at the farm would have worked. Her last day of work at this farm was 31 May.
Since she worked 30 days, but only worked half the amount that a full-time employee would have worked, she would have worked 15 full days. These days can count towards the number required for her to apply for a second 462 visa.
On 1 June, Angun started a new full-time job as a receptionist at a local Cairns hotel.
It is now 13 August 2021. She has worked for 74 days. She believes she has met the 88-day requirement.
| Area | Postcode | Area | Work | Will it count? | Period employed | Full or part-time? | Days counted towards the 3-month requirement? |
| Caboolture | 4510 | Regional | Raspberry picking | Yes | 30 days | Part-time | 15 days |
| Cairns | 4868 | Northern | Hotel staff | No | 21 days | Full-time | 0 days |
| Cairns | 4868 | Northern | Hotel staff | Yes | 53 days | Full-time | 53 days |
| TOTAL NUMBER OF DAYS UNDERTAKING SPECIFIED WORK IN A REGIONAL AREA | 68 days | ||||||
Unfortunately, Angun’s work at the Cairns Hotel can only count from 22 June 2021 onwards. Therefore, she will need to work an additional 20 days before applying for the 462 visa.
How long can I stay on the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
Each time you are granted a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa, you can enter and stay in Australia for 1 year.
What are the conditions on the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
6 month work limitation (8547)
You cannot work for any one employer for more than six months while on the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. The six months does not need to be consecutive. For example, you might work for your employer for 2 months, then cease employment to take a holiday, and then another 4 months after that. However, if you take a 2-month holiday while employed, those 2 months will count towards the 6-month total.
Your employer might have more than one business. For example, a parent company may own a chain of restaurants, in different locations. Generally, each separate restaurant, with their own Australian Business number, would be considered a different employer.
Note that the 6 month work limitation has been temporarily relaxed from 19 January 2022 until 31 December 2022, meaning that you are able to work for the same employer for more than 6 months until 31 December 2022.
You cannot study or train on a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa for more than four months, or 18 weeks.
Workplace based training is not considered study. Workplace based training is considered to be part of your employment.
If you intend to study for longer than 18 weeks, you should consider applying for a student visa instead.
How much does the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa cost?
The visa application charge for the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa is AUD495.
If you had a COVID-19 affected visa, you can apply for a refund or a new Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa with a nil (zero) application charge.
COVID-19 affected visa
If you received a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa before 20 March 2020, and it expired before 31 December 2021 while you were overseas, you have what is called a “COVID-19 affected visa”.
For example, say that you were granted your first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa offshore 19 March 2020. Due to Australia’s COVID-19 border restrictions, it would have been very difficult to enter Australia without a travel exemption, even if you had a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. This visa would be considered a COVID-19 affected visa.
Say that you held your second Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa on 20 March 2020 and you decided to go back to your home country for a short visit. Again, it would have been very difficult to re-enter Australia before your second Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa expired. This visa would be considered a COVID-19 affected visa.
If you lost the opportunity to enter before your Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa expired, you could apply for a new Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa with no visa application fee (nil). You can be onshore or offshore at the time you apply, and you must apply before 31 December 2022.
If you are currently overseas and you can’t apply for a new WHM visa because you have passed the age limit for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa, you can apply for a refund of the COVID-19 affected visa instead.
You can only apply for the nil visa application charge or refund once.
Can I bring my partner or kids?
Some visas allow children and partners to be included in a visa application. However, for the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa, you cannot include your family members.
My third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa is expiring soon, but I’m a dual citizen that can also apply for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. Can I apply for the 462 after my third 417 ends?
No. if you have already been in Australia as the holder of a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa, you will not be eligible for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
Work and Holiday (subclass 462) Visa Fact Sheet
| Visa | Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa |
| Eligibility | You hold an eligible passport You meet the age requirement (which is determined by the passport you hold) You have the required education qualifications (which is determined by the passport you hold) You cannot bring your family You have sufficient funds to support your stay and departure in Australia (For those seeking a 2nd 462 visa) You must undertake an approved type of work in a regional area for three months (For those seeking a 3rd 462 visa) You must undertake an approved type of work in a regional area for six months |
| Visa Application Charge | $495
|
| Processing times | 25% of applications: Less than 1 day 50% of applications: Less than 1 day 75% of applications: 28 days 90% of applications: 3 months
|
| Mandatory Conditions | 8547 (6 month work limitation) * Note that the 6 month work limitation has been temporarily relaxed from 19 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.
8548 (4 month study rule)
|
| Discretionary Conditions | 8106 (Can only work in Australia if the work is relevant to the business specified in your visa application) 8107 (Cannot cease or change work) 8303 (Must not become involved in disruptive activities) 8501 (Must maintain health insurance) 8502 (Must not enter Australia before the specified person) 8503 (No further stay rule) 8516 (Must continue to satisfy criteria for visa grant) 8522 (Must leave Australia not later than the primary visa holder) 8526 (Must notify the Secretary in writing of residential address 7 days before the visa ceases) |
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