Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is part of Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program administered by the Department of Home Affairs.It allows young adults from eligible countries to stay in Australia temporarily while travelling and working to support their trip. This visa is commonly known as the “417 visa Australia”.This guide explains eligibility, age limits, work rights, the 88-day regional work requirement, second and third visa pathways, visa conditions and key compliance rules — based on current Home Affairs settings (updated February 2025).

What Is the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)?

Subclass 417 is a temporary visa that allows eligible passport holders to:

Stay in Australia for up to 12 months
Work to fund travel
Study for a limited period
Apply for a second and third visa if specified work is completed

It is designed as a cultural exchange and travel program. It is not a permanent residency visa, and it does not directly lead to permanent residency.

Who Is the 417 Visa Suitable For?

Subclass 417 is suitable for:

Young travellers seeking cultural exchange
Individuals taking a gap year
Graduates seeking short-term international work experience
Those planning to complete regional work for extended stay

It is not suitable for applicants with dependent children or those seeking direct permanent migration.

Subclass 417 Age Limit

You must be:

18 to 30 years old (inclusive) at the time of application, or
18 to 35 years old (inclusive) if you hold a passport from:
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Republic of Ireland
- Italy
- United Kingdom

You must lodge your application before turning the maximum eligible age.

Eligible Countries for Subclass 417

You must hold a passport from one of the following countries or regions:

Belgium
Canada
Republic of Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Hong Kong SAR
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Japan
Republic of Korea
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Sweden
Taiwan
United Kingdom

Country arrangements are based on bilateral agreements and may change.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To apply for your first 417 visa, you must:

Hold an eligible passport
Meet the age requirement
Have no dependent children accompanying you
Have sufficient funds to support yourself
Meet health and character requirements

For most applicants, the first 417 visa must be applied for from outside Australia.

How Long Can You Stay on a 417 Visa?

Your first Working Holiday visa allows you to:

Stay in Australia for up to 12 months
Enter Australia within the validity period stated in your grant letter

The 12-month period begins on your first entry to Australia.

Work Rights on the 417 Visa

Subclass 417 allows you to work in Australia during your stay.

However, visa conditions apply:

You can generally work for one employer for a limited period
Extensions with the same employer may be permitted in certain sectors
Temporary concessions may apply for specific industries

You must comply with all visa conditions listed in your grant notice.

Working in breach of visa conditions may affect future applications.

Study Rights

You may study for up to 4 months while holding a Subclass 417 visa.

Longer courses require a different visa type.

Financial Requirements

Home Affairs requires applicants to have sufficient funds to:

Support themselves during their initial stay
Purchase a return or onward ticket

Applicants may be asked to provide evidence of funds during assessment.

Health and Character Requirements

You may need to:

Undertake medical examinations
Provide police clearance certificates

Police certificates are generally required for countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years (since turning 16).

Can You Bring Family?

Subclass 417 does not allow dependent children.

If your partner wants to join you, they must apply for their own visa.

Health Insurance

You are responsible for your healthcare costs in Australia.

Some eligible 417 countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. If not covered, you should arrange private health insurance.

Employer Limitation Rules

While you may work during your stay, there are limitations:

You are generally restricted to a limited duration with one employer
Exemptions may apply in certain industries
Conditions may change under government policy settings

Always review the latest guidance from the Department of Home Affairs before accepting long-term employment.

Second Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

You may apply for a second 417 visa if you:

Held your first Subclass 417 visa
Completed at least 3 months (88 days) of specified work
Meet the age requirement at time of application
Complied with all visa conditions

The second visa allows another 12-month stay.

What Counts as 88 Days for the Second Visa?

To qualify for a second year:

You must complete at least 88 days of specified work
Work must be in approved industries
Work must be in eligible regional postcodes

Eligible industries generally include:

Plant and animal cultivation
Fishing and pearling
Tree farming and felling
Mining
Construction
Bushfire recovery work (where applicable)

Work must be paid and properly documented.

You should keep:

Payslips
Contracts
Employer ABN details
Superannuation records

Incorrect postcode or industry classification is a common issue in refused second visa applications.

Third Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

You may apply for a third 417 visa if you:

Previously held two Subclass 417 visas
Completed at least 6 months of specified work during your second visa
Meet the age requirement
Complied with visa conditions

This allows a total stay of up to three years under the Working Holiday Maker program.

Regional Areas for Specified Work

Regional eligibility is determined by postcode.

Not all non-capital city areas qualify.

Before accepting employment for 88-day purposes, you should verify:

The postcode is eligible
The industry qualifies
The work is paid and lawful

Home Affairs provides official postcode lists for WHM eligibility.

Common Reasons for 417 Visa Refusal

Applications may be refused due to:

Incorrect age at time of application
Ineligible passport
Insufficient funds
Health or character concerns
Failure to meet 88-day specified work requirements
Incorrect regional postcode
Inadequate documentation

Careful documentation is essential, particularly for second and third visa applications.

Processing Times

Processing times vary depending on:

Application volume
Individual circumstances
Health or character checks

Applicants should check current processing times directly via the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 417 visa a pathway to permanent residency?

No. It is a temporary visa. However, some visa holders later apply for skilled or employer-sponsored visas if eligible.

Can I apply for the second 417 visa while in Australia?

Yes, if eligible and within the age limit.

Do I need IELTS for Subclass 417?

No. Subclass 417 does not require a formal English test.

Can I apply more than three times?

No. The maximum under the 417 program is three visas.

Need Advice Before Applying?

While many applicants apply independently, eligibility, age timing and regional work documentation can affect outcomes.

If you require personalised advice aligned with current Home Affairs settings, professional guidance can help you assess eligibility and structure your application correctly.

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