Work and Holiday Visas -

Australia has two working holiday visas: the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462). Both let you holiday in Australia for up to 12 months while you work to help fund your trip. The visa you can apply for depends on which country issued your passport, not on your personal preference. This guide explains both visas, so you can find the right one and understand what to do next.

What are the Working Holiday Maker visas?

The 417 and 462 visas both sit under Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program. The Australian Government has run this reciprocal program since 1975, and it now covers more than 40 partner countries and jurisdictions across the two subclasses.

People often call these two visas the ‘backpacker visa’. Both are temporary visas. Neither one leads directly to permanent residency, although many working holiday makers go on to apply for a different visa, such as a skilled or employer-sponsored visa, once they have Australian work experience behind them.

Working Holiday (417) vs Work and Holiday (462): what’s the difference?

The two visas work in a very similar way. Each gives you 12 months in Australia, with the right to work and study while you travel. The main difference is simple: your passport decides which visa you can apply for. You cannot choose between them.

• If your passport is on the 417 list, you apply for the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417).
• If your passport is on the 462 list, you apply for the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462).

A few smaller differences follow from this. The 462 visa carries extra requirements for some nationalities, such as functional English or evidence of tertiary study. Most 462 countries also have an annual cap on visa places, and applicants from China, India and Vietnam must enter a ballot before they can apply. The 417 visa does not have any of these extra steps.

Table checked against the Department of Home Affairs Working Holiday Maker program pages, current as of August 2026. Country lists and settings change from time to time — see the linked subpages for the full current list.

Which visa applies to you?

Check which visa matches your passport before you do anything else.

• Read our Working Holiday visa (417) guide if you hold a passport from a country such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan or South Korea.
• Read our Work and Holiday visa (462) guide if you hold a passport from a country such as the United States, China, India, Argentina, Chile or Thailand.

Both guides include the full, current list of eligible countries for that visa, plus the age limits, costs and application steps.

What both visas let you do

• You can work in almost any job or industry in Australia.
• You generally cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months, unless an exemption applies.
• You can study for up to 4 months.
• You can leave and re-enter Australia as often as you like within the visa’s 12-month validity.
• You may be able to apply for a second, then a third, visa if you complete enough specified work in regional Australia.
• You do not need an employer sponsor or a state or territory government nomination for either visa.

What should you do next?

Before you apply, work out:

• which subclass matches your passport
• whether you meet the age limit that applies to your country
• whether you have enough funds to support yourself
• whether a working holiday visa is your best option, or whether a different visa suits your goals better

If you are unsure which visa applies to you, or your situation is complicated — for example, you have already held a 417 or 462 visa before, or you have a criminal record or a past visa refusal — get advice before you apply. A visa refusal can affect your future Australian visa applications.

Can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Yes. Work Visa Lawyers can help you work out which working holiday visa applies to you and prepare a strong application.

We can assist with:

• confirming your eligibility for the 417 or 462 visa
• reviewing your application before you submit it
• advice on second and third-year working holiday visas
• advice on moving from a working holiday visa to a longer-term visa, such as a skilled or employer-sponsored visa
• help if your visa application has been refused, or your visa has been cancelled

A working holiday visa application is usually straightforward, but applying for the wrong subclass, or making a small error on your form, can cause delays or refusal.

FAQ: Working Holiday Visa Australia (417 and 462)

What’s the difference between the 417 and 462 visa?

The main difference is which passport you hold. The 417 visa covers about 19 partner countries, mostly in Europe and East Asia. The 462 visa covers about 30 other countries, including the USA, China and India. The 462 visa also has extra requirements for some nationalities, such as English or study evidence.

Which working holiday visa do I need for my country?

It depends on your passport, not your preference. See our Working Holiday visa (417) and Work and Holiday visa (462) pages for the full country lists, or contact us to check your eligibility.

Can I work full-time on a working holiday visa in Australia?

Yes. You can work full-time, part-time or casually in almost any job. The main limit is that you generally cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months, unless an exemption applies.

How many working holiday visas can I get in Australia?

Most people can hold up to three working holiday visas in total — a first, second and third visa. You need to complete specified work in regional Australia to qualify for the second and third visa.

Do I need a sponsor or nomination for a working holiday visa?

No. Unlike many other Australian visas, the 417 and 462 visas do not need an employer sponsor or a state or territory government nomination.

Can a working holiday visa lead to permanent residency?

Not directly. The 417 and 462 are temporary visas. Many working holiday makers use their time in Australia to gain work experience, then apply for a different visa, such as a skilled or employer-sponsored visa, if they want to stay longer.

Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules, visa fees and country eligibility can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.

REFERENCE LIST

• Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program overview — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/overview
• Working Holiday Maker program — latest news (age eligibility, cap and ballot updates) — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/latest-news
• Status of country caps (Work and Holiday subclass 462) — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/status-of-country-caps
• Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) — visa listing — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417
• Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) — visa listing — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462
• 6 month work limitation — visa condition 8547 — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/specified-work-conditions/6-month-work-limitation