The Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) and Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) let you live, work, and travel in Australia for up to 12 months, with the option to extend if you complete specified regional work. Getting the documents right from the start saves weeks of back-and-forth with the Department. Here is exactly what you need.
First, which visa applies to you?
- Subclass 417: Available to passport holders from Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, and the UK
- Subclass 462: Available to passport holders from a different set of countries including China, India, Vietnam, and others, with additional requirements like functional English, educational qualifications, and in some cases a government support letter
You cannot hold both: if you have had a 417, you cannot apply for a first 462, and vice versa (Items 1225(3C) and 1224A(3)(b)(ii)).
Documents for your first visa
Required for all applicants (417 and 462)
- Valid passportmust be valid for the duration of your intended stay
- Bank statements3–6 months showing approximately AUD $5,000 plus return airfare funds
- Evidence of fundssavings, term deposits, or a letter from your bank confirming the balance
- Police certificatesfrom every country you have lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (since age 16)
- Health examination resultsarranged through a Bupa Medical panel physician using your HAP ID
- Passport-size photorecent, meeting Australian visa photo requirements
Additional documents for Subclass 462 only
- English test resultsevidence of functional English (e.g. IELTS 4.5 overall, PTE Academic 30, or equivalent). Must be within 12 months of application. Online tests (IELTS Online, TOEFL Home Edition) are NOT accepted
- Educational transcriptsevidence of completed tertiary qualifications or at least two years of undergraduate study (requirements vary by country)
- Government support letterrequired for applicants from 11 countries (including China, Vietnam, and others). This is a letter of support from your home country government
Documents for your second or third visa
To extend your stay, you must complete specified regional work:
- Second visa: 3 months (88 days) of specified work on your first visa
- Third visa: 6 months (179 days) of specified work on your second visa
Evidence of specified work
- Payslipsmandatory since December 2015. Every pay period must be documented
- Employer letterson letterhead, confirming your dates of employment, location (postcode), duties, and hours
- Bank statementsshowing salary deposits matching your payslips
- Evidence of regional locationemployer address must be in an eligible postcode (set by legislative instrument)
Cash-in-hand work without payslips does not count. Work in a postcode that is not on the eligible list does not count. Roles like nanny on a farm, cellar-door sales, or cooking and catering on site do not count even if performed in a regional area. Keep your evidence from day one; gathering it after you have moved on is far harder.
The fee
- First visa: AUD $840 (per Items 1225(2) and 1224A(2))
- Second or third visa: AUD $1,000
- Ballot registration (462 only, China/India/Vietnam): AUD $25 non-refundable
- Health examinations: approximately AUD $350–$450
Age requirement: a critical timing issue
You must be 18–30 years old at the time you lodge (18–35 for Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, and the UK). The age is assessed at application, not at decision, so you can still be granted the visa after turning 31 (or 36). The lodgement deadline is midnight AEST/AEDT the day before your 31st (or 36th) birthday. Do not apply on your birthday itself.
Planning your Working Holiday?
Our Working Holiday Visa Info Pack includes a regional work guide, employer letter template, document checklists, and step-by-step instructions covering both the 417 and 462 pathways.
About the Author
Matilda, MARN 0958254
A Registered Migration Agent with 16+ years in migration and thousands of consultations across every major visa pathway.
General information only, not personal migration advice. Eligible postcodes, industries, and age limits are set by legislative instruments and can change. Always confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
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