Every Country Eligible for Australia's Working Holiday Visa 2026
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 (41+ 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 annual caps for some Subclass 462 countries.
Quick Facts
| Program | Subclass 417 | Subclass 462 |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Working Holiday | Work and Holiday |
| Eligible countries | 19 | 41+ |
| Annual cap | No cap | Some countries capped |
| Government support letter | Not required | Required for some countries |
| Education requirement | Not required | Tertiary education or equivalent for some |
| English test | Not required | Functional English for some |
| Age limit | 18-30 (35 for some) | 18-30 (35 for some) |
| Visa cost | $650 | $650 |
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 | 18-30 | Yes | Republic of Cyprus only |
| Denmark | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit |
| Estonia | 18-30 | Yes | |
| Finland | 18-30 | Yes | |
| France | 18-35 | Yes | Extended age limit |
| Germany | 18-30 | Yes | |
| 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 | 18-30 | Yes |
Asia-Pacific Countries
| Country | Age Limit | Second/Third Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong SAR | 18-30 | Yes | |
| Japan | 18-30 | Yes | |
| South Korea | 18-30 | Yes | |
| 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 (41+)
The Subclass 462 has additional requirements and some countries have annual caps limiting the number of visas issued.
Asia
| Country | Annual Cap | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 100 | Government support, English test, tertiary education |
| Cambodia | 200 | Government support, English test |
| China | 5,000 | Government support, English test, tertiary education |
| India | 1,000 | Government support, English test, tertiary education |
| Indonesia | 4,100 | Government support, English test, tertiary education |
| Israel | 500 | Tertiary education |
| Laos | 100 | Government support |
| Malaysia | 1,500 | Government support, English test |
| Mongolia | 100 | Government support, English test |
| Myanmar | 100 | Government support |
| Philippines | 200 | Government support, English test, tertiary education |
| Singapore | No cap | No special requirements |
| Sri Lanka | 500 | Government support, English test |
| Thailand | 2,000 | Government support, English test, tertiary education |
| Timor-Leste | 100 | Government support |
| Vietnam | 200 | Government support, English test, tertiary education |
South America
| Country | Annual Cap | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 2,100 | Government support |
| Brazil | 500 | Government support |
| Chile | 2,150 | Government support |
| Colombia | 200 | Government support |
| Ecuador | 100 | Government support |
| Mexico | 500 | Government support |
| Peru | 200 | Government support |
| Uruguay | 200 | Government support |
Europe
| Country | Annual Cap | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | No cap | No special requirements |
| Croatia | 100 | |
| Czech Republic | 1,500 | |
| Greece | 500 | |
| Hungary | 200 | |
| Luxembourg | 100 | |
| Poland | 1,500 | |
| Portugal | 500 | |
| San Marino | 100 | |
| Slovak Republic | 200 | |
| Slovenia | 200 | |
| Spain | 3,400 |
Pacific and Other
| Country | Annual Cap | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Fiji | 100 | Government support |
| Papua New Guinea | 200 | Government support |
| Samoa | 100 | Government support |
| Solomon Islands | 100 | Government support |
| Tonga | 200 | Government support |
| Turkey | 200 | |
| United States | No cap | No special requirements |
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 4.5 overall or equivalent)
- Tertiary education — at least 2 years of undergraduate study completed
These requirements vary by country. Citizens of the US, Singapore, and Austria don't need any additional requirements. Citizens of China, India, and Indonesia need all three.
Annual Caps
Subclass 417 has no annual cap — any number of visas can be granted.
Subclass 462 countries may have caps that limit 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 (4,100), and Spain (3,400) have larger caps but still fill quickly.
Timing strategy: Apply as close to 1 July 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. The requirements are the same: 88 days for the second year and 179 days for the third year.
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.
The process varies by country:
- China: Through the China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE)
- India: Through the Ministry of Human Resource Development
- 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 get a visa for that program year. Your application fee is refunded, and you can try again after 1 July when the new allocation opens.
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?
Generally, you must be outside Australia when the visa is granted. 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, haven't previously held the same WHV subclass). Holding a student visa doesn't disqualify you.
