Australia offers working holiday visas to citizens of over 40 countries through two programs: the Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa (19 countries) and the Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa (30 countries). Both visas allow 12 months of work and travel, with the possibility of second and third years through specified regional work. The main differences are the application requirements and the annual caps that apply to every Subclass 462 country except the United States.
Quick Facts
| Program | Subclass 417 | Subclass 462 |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Working Holiday | Work and Holiday |
| Eligible countries | 19 | 30 |
| Annual cap | No cap | Every country except the USA |
| Government support letter | Not required | Required for some countries |
| Education requirement | Not required | Required (the level depends on your country) |
| English test | Not required | Functional English for all (a test, a UK, US, Canadian, NZ or Irish passport, or English-taught study) |
| Age limit | 18-30 (35 for 10 countries) | 18-30 (no extension) |
| Visa cost | $840 first; $1,000 second or third | $840 first; $1,000 second or third |
Subclass 417: Working Holiday Visa Countries (19)
The Subclass 417 is the original working holiday program with fewer restrictions. No annual caps, no education requirements, and no government support letters needed.
European Countries
| Country | Age Limit | Second/Third Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 18-30 | Yes | |
| Cyprus | 18-35 | Yes | Republic of Cyprus only; extended age limit |
| Denmark | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit |
| Estonia | 18-30 | Yes | |
| Finland | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit |
| France | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit |
| Germany | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit |
| Ireland | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit |
| Italy | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit |
| Malta | 18-30 | Yes | |
| Netherlands | 18-30 | Yes | |
| Norway | 18-30 | Yes | |
| Sweden | 18-30 | Yes | |
| United Kingdom | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit; incl. BN(O); no specified work needed for 2nd/3rd year (since 1 July 2024) |
Asia-Pacific Countries
| Country | Age Limit | Second/Third Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong SAR | 18-30 | Yes | |
| Japan | 18-30 | Yes | |
| South Korea | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit |
| Taiwan | 18-30 | Yes |
North America
| Country | Age Limit | Second/Third Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit |
Subclass 462: Work and Holiday Visa Countries (30)
The Subclass 462 has additional requirements, and every country except the United States has an annual cap on first visas. Home Affairs lists the 30 eligible passports and the cap for each country. All 462 applicants need functional English and must meet the education requirement for their country. The last column shows the extra steps.
Asia
| Country | Annual Cap | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| China | 5,000 | Ballot (you must be selected before you apply) |
| India | 1,000 | Ballot (you must be selected before you apply) |
| Indonesia | 5,000 | Letter of support; ballot (registrations expected later in 2026) |
| Israel | 2,500 | Senior Secondary Certificate plus military service or exemption |
| Malaysia | 1,100 | Letter of support (Good Conduct Certificate) |
| Mongolia | 100 | Letter of support |
| Singapore | 2,500 | No extra steps |
| Thailand | 2,000 | Letter of support |
| Vietnam | 1,500 | Ballot (you must be selected before you apply) |
South America
| Country | Annual Cap | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 3,400 | No extra steps |
| Brazil | 500 | No extra steps |
| Chile | 3,400 | No extra steps |
| Ecuador | 100 | Letter of support |
| Peru | 1,500 | Letter of support |
| Uruguay | 1,500 | No extra steps |
Europe
| Country | Annual Cap | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | 500 | |
| Czech Republic | 500 | |
| Greece | 500 | Letter of support |
| Hungary | 500 | |
| Luxembourg | 100 | |
| Poland | 1,500 | Letter of support |
| Portugal | 500 | |
| San Marino | 100 | Letter of support |
| Slovak Republic | 1,000 | |
| Slovenia | 200 | Letter of support |
| Spain | 3,400 | |
| Switzerland | 200 |
Pacific and Other
| Country | Annual Cap | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Papua New Guinea | 100 | Lower visa cost for a first 462 lodged from 1 July 2026 |
| Türkiye | 100 | Letter of support |
| United States | No cap | No extra steps |
Key Differences: 417 vs 462
Application Requirements
Subclass 417: Straightforward application through ImmiAccount. No tertiary education, English test, or government support letter required.
Subclass 462: May require:
- Government support letter from your home country's government approving your participation
- Functional English demonstrated through an English test (IELTS average of 4.5 or equivalent). You don't need a test if you hold a UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand or Irish passport, or if you completed a degree, diploma or trade certificate that needed at least 2 years of full-time study taught in English. Some English-medium schooling also counts. See Home Affairs' functional English rules
- Tertiary education — for many countries, a tertiary qualification or at least 2 years of undergraduate study
These requirements vary by country. US citizens need only a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (or equivalent). Citizens of China, India and Vietnam must first be selected in a ballot before they can apply.
Annual Caps
Subclass 417 has no annual cap — any number of visas can be granted.
Every Subclass 462 country except the United States has a cap that limits visa numbers. Once the cap is reached for a nationality, no more visas are granted until the next program year (starting 1 July). Popular countries like China (5,000), Indonesia (5,000), and Spain (3,400) have larger caps.
Timing strategy: Capped applications open on 2 July each program year. Apply as close to that date as possible if your country has a cap. Applications are processed roughly in order, and late applicants for capped countries risk missing out.
Second and Third Year Eligibility
Both Subclass 417 and 462 holders are eligible for second and third-year visas through specified regional work. Both need 88 days for the second year and 179 days for the third year, but the industries and areas that count are not the same for the two subclasses. Home Affairs lists the approved 462 industries and areas. UK passport holders applying for a 417 on or after 1 July 2024 need no specified work.
Government Support Letters
For Subclass 462 countries that require a government support letter, you must obtain this from a designated government agency in your home country before applying. Home Affairs lists these countries: Ecuador, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia (Good Conduct Certificate), Mongolia, Peru, Poland, San Marino, Slovenia, Thailand and Türkiye.
The process varies by country:
- Thailand: Through the Ministry of Labour
- Indonesia: Through the Ministry of Education and Culture
Processing times for government support letters vary from 2 weeks to 3 months. Factor this into your application timeline.
Countries Currently Negotiating
The list of eligible countries expands periodically as Australia negotiates new bilateral agreements. Countries that have been reported as in discussions include several African and additional Asian nations, though no new agreements have been confirmed for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't my country on the list?
Working holiday agreements require bilateral negotiations between Australia and each country. Some countries haven't pursued these agreements, while others are in ongoing negotiations.
Can I apply for both 417 and 462?
No. You can only apply for the visa that corresponds to your nationality. If your country is listed under 417, that's your visa. If it's under 462, that's your only option.
What happens if the cap is reached for my country?
You cannot apply while the cap is paused or closed. You get an error message when you try to apply. A closed cap reopens at the start of the new program year, on 2 July.
Can dual citizens choose which passport to apply with?
Yes. If you hold citizenship in a 417 country and a 462 country, you can choose which passport to apply with. Generally, the 417 is advantageous (no cap, no extra requirements).
Do I need to live in my home country to apply?
For a first visa, you must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided. You don't need to be in your home country specifically — you could be travelling in a third country.
Can I get a working holiday visa after being on a student visa?
Yes, if you meet the requirements (age, nationality, and you have not previously entered Australia on a 417 or 462 visa). Holding a student visa doesn't disqualify you.
