Work & Holiday Visa (SC 462)
The subclass 462 visa allows certain tourists aged between 18 and 30 (inclusive) years old to have an extended holiday in Australia, while supplementing their funds with short-term work. The visa is valid for 12 months and allows multiple entries into and exits from Australia Visa holders can generally work for up to six months with any one employer and can study for up to four months. Work up to 12 months for some types of specified work and regional areas may be possible. There is an annual limit on the number of first Work and Holiday visas granted to each country. The annual limit resets on 1 July each visa program year.
REQUIREMENTS
Note: These are the minimum requirements for an application for this type of visa. Depending upon your particular circumstances, you may need to meet additional requirements.
You must:
- be 18 to 30 years old (inclusive)
- apply from outside Australia
- not be accompanied by dependent children
- not have previously entered Australia on a subclass 462 or 417 visa. If you previously entered Australia on a subclass 462 visa, see the second Work and Holiday visa.
- hold a passport for one of the countries or regions listed in the table below:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Chile
- China, People’s Republic of
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- Greece
- Hungary
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Uruguay
- United States of America
- Vietnam
Depending upon your country of origin, you will also need to meet other specific requirements, which may include:
- completion of a certain level of education (e.g. secondary school, tertiary study/qualification)
- English language competence (e.g. IELTS overall band score of 4.5)
- home government support (e.g. letter of support from your home government)
If you are applying for your second Work and Holiday visa, you must also:
- have completed three calendar months of specified work in regional Australia while on your first Work and Holiday visa
From 1 July 2019, to be eligible for a third Work and Holiday visa, you must:
- on or after 1 July 2019, have completed six calendar months of specified work in regional Australia while on your second Work and Holiday visa
THE SPECIFIED WORK REQUIREMENT FOR A SECOND OR THIRD VISA
The following industries and regions are approved for specified work:
- plant and animal cultivation in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia
- fishing and pearling in northern Australia only
- tree farming and felling in northern Australia only
- tourism and hospitality in northern Australia only
Specified work is any type of work described below which must be the primary role, function or activity performed during your employment.
The period of specified work (either three months for a second Work and Holiday visa, or six months for a third Work and Holiday visa) means an evidenced period of paid, full-time equivalent work over a minimum period of 88 calendar days (for three months) or 176 calendar days (for six months) in regional Australia. ‘Regional Australia’ is defined by post code. One day of full-time work is taken to be the normal number of hours per day (or shift) that is considered standard for that particular industry and the role in which you are employed. You can complete the work in a variety of ways.
For example, to be eligible for a second Work and Holiday visa, an applicant must evidence:
- working full time, 5 days per week for a continuous 3 calendar month period, including on a piecework rate agreement OR
- working less than 5 days per week in any combination of full-time, part-time or piecework rate work which adds up to the equivalent of five days a week over 3 calendar months OR
- working less than five days a week over a longer period than 3 calendar months, including on a piece work rate agreement.
The work can be with one employer, or several, and can be spread over the period of your stay in Australia. You can also work longer than the required period in regional Australia in specified work. Paid public holiday leave and sick days are counted as a day of specified work. Unpaid leave or holidays, and unpaid days due to severe or seasonal weather, are not counted.
Updates for Subclass 417 and 462 Visa
Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa and Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa allow young adults of certain countries to work in Australia to help them pay for their holiday. This visa is usually valid for 12 months. However, in some circumstances, visa holders can apply for a second or third working holiday visa.
Specified work
UPDATE 22 April 2022
The Government has made amendments to the type and locations of specified work for working holiday maker visas – subclass 417 and 462. The amendments include:
- FLOOD RECOVERY WORK – work that is paid or unpaid after 31 December 2021 in flood-affected areas in NSW and QLD
- BUSHFIRE RECOVERY WORK – work undertaken that is paid or unpaid after 31 July 2019 in bushfire affected areas
- TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY – four new postcodes have been added:
- 4406, 4416, 4498 – QLD
- 7215 – TAS
Usually, visa holders must work for at least 3 months in ‘specified work’ to apply for the second working holiday visa. In addition, if the applicant intends to apply for a third working holiday visa, he/she must work at least 6 months in the ‘specified work’.
Generally, specified work for Subclass 417 must be taken in regional Australia. The areas of work include:
- plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia
- fishing and pearling in regional Australia
- tree farming and felling in regional Australia
- mining in regional Australia
- construction in regional Australia
For Subclass 462 the areas of work considered to be ‘specified work’ include:
- plant and animal cultivation in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia
- fishing and pearling in Northern Australia only
- tree farming and felling in Northern Australia only
- tourism and hospitality in Northern Australia only
- construction in Northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia
However, as part of the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘specified work’ has been extended to include working holiday makers who work in the healthcare and medical sector. This work can be done anywhere in Australia. It is not restricted to regional Australia.
Healthcare and medical sector work does not include general administration work or selling personal protective equipment. The applicant work should involve medical treatment, nursing, contact tracing, testing, and research. The applicant can also provide support services, including cleaning medical and health care facilities.
The new definition will apply to application from 19 August 2020 onwards.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The visa application is lodged with the Department of Home Affairs (the ‘DOHA’), along with any supporting documents. The main criterion is that you satisfy the requirements listed above. You must also have access to sufficient funds to support yourself during the initial stages of your holiday. In addition, you must meet certain health and character requirements, and may be asked to provide evidence of health and/or travel insurance.
You must enter Australia within 12 months of the date that your visa is granted. You may then work in any job in any location in Australia, provided that you do not work for more than six months with any one employer unless an exemption applies. You must also not study for more than four months.
Note: Your subclass 462 visa may be subject to a ‘No Further Stay’ condition, meaning that you will not be able to apply for any further visas while you are in Australia. Even if your visa is not subject to this condition, you will only be able to apply for a limited range of visas while you are in Australia.
The time that it takes the DOHA to process your application is dependent upon its processing time service standards, and may also vary due to a number of other factors, including the complexity of your case, perceived risk factors and processing priorities. Please contact us for current information regarding likely processing timeframes for this type of application.
Work and Holiday Visa
Subclass 462 Visa & 417 Visa Comparison
| 462 Visa | 417 Visa | |
| Features: | This visa is for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year | This visa is for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year |
| Requirements: | The candidate: must be at least 18 but not yet 31 years of age ·don’t have a dependent child accompanying you at any time during your stay in Australia must have a passport from an eligible country have enough money to support her/himself on a working holiday (about A$ 5000) | The candidate: must be at least 18 but not yet 31 years of age don’t have a dependent child accompanying you at any time during your stay in Australia must have a passport from an eligible country have enough money to support her/himself on a working holiday (about A$ 5000) |
| Eligible countries: | Argentina Banglades Chile People’s Republic of China Hungary Indonesia Israel Luxembourg Malaysia Poland Portugal San Marino Slovak Republic Slovenia Spain Thailand Turkey USA Uruguay | Belgium Canada Republic of Cyprus Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Hong Kong (Including British National Overseas passport holders) Republic of Ireland Italy Japan Repuiblic of Korea Malta Netherlands Norway Sweden Taiwan United Kingdom |
| Additional Requirements: | The candidate: must provide evidence that s/he meets the educational requirements, which is a tertiary qualification or have satisfactorily completed at least two years of undergraduate university study. must hold a secondary school (High School) qualification, if s/he is from USA, Israel, Chilie. must have functional English, which the average band score of at least 4.5. | N/A |
| Second Visa application Requirements: | The candidate: have complied with all the conditions on her/his first Work and Holiday visa. have not previously held more than one Work and Holiday Visa. have completed three months of specified subclass 462 work in Northern Australia while on your first Work and Holiday visa. have not yet turned 31 years of age. | The Candidate: have completed three months of specified work in regional Australia while on her/his first Work and Holiday visa |
Features
This visa is for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year.
Requirements
You might be able to get this visa if you:
- are at least 18 but not yet 31 years of age
- don’t have a dependent child with you at any time during your stay in Australia
- have a passport from:
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Chile
- China, People’s Republic of
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Malaysia
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Thailand
- Turkey
- USA
- Uruguay
About This Visa
The Work and Holiday (Temporary) visa (subclass 462) is for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year.
It is a temporary visa that encourages cultural exchange and closer ties between Australia and eligible countries.
Working in Australia – six months with one employer: You can generally only work six months with one employer. More information is available at Working in Australia – six months with one employer
What this visa lets you do
This visa allows you to:
- stay in Australia for up to 12 months
- work in Australia, generally for up to six months with each employer
- study for up to four months
- leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.
Who could get this visa
You might be able to get this visa if you:
- are at least 18 but have not turned 31 years of age at the time you lodge your application
- will not be with a dependent child while you are in Australia
- have enough money to support yourself on a working holiday (about AUD 5000)
- have enough money to buy a return or onward travel ticket at the end of your stay
- have not previously entered Australia on a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) or a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
- meet the educational requirements
- have functional English
- have a letter of support from your government (except applicants from Israel, the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America)
- meet character and health requirements
- are a genuine visitor.
Eligible countries
You can apply for this visa if you hold a passport from:
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Chile
- China, People’s Republic of
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Malaysia
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United States of America
- Uruguay.
Education
Depending on the passport you hold, the education requirements could be slightly different.
If you are from Argentina, Bangladesh, the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Turkey, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain or Uruguay, you must hold a tertiary qualification or have satisfactorily completed at least two years of undergraduate university study.
If you are from Chile, you must hold a tertiary qualification or have satisfactorily completed or have been approved to do a third year of undergraduate university study.
If you are from Israel, you must hold a secondary school (high school) qualification and have completed mandatory military service or be legally exempt from military service.
If you are from the United States of America, you must hold a secondary school (high school) qualification.
Functional English
You must provide evidence that you have at least functional English. This can be:
- evidence you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland
- an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) average band score of at least 4.5 for the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing) completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement
- the Occupational English Test (OET) completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement
- a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) total band score of at least 32 for the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement
- a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) overall band score of at least 30 for the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement
- a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test overall band score of at least 147 for the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening and the test must have been taken on or after 1 January 2015
- all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary school at an institution where all the instruction was in English
- at least five years of secondary education (high school) at an educational institution in which all instruction was in English
- a post-secondary qualification with at least two years of full-time study, in which all tuition was in English
- at least one year of full-time study or equivalent towards a degree, higher degree, diploma or associate diploma at an Australian institution where all the instruction was in English
- evidence of successful completion of an English Bagrut exam in the level of three study units (Israeli applicants only).
Letter of government support
You must include a letter of support from your home government with your application. This letter does not guarantee you a place in the Work and Holiday visa program.
The following agencies issue letters of support:
- Argentina: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Bangladesh: Ministry of Home Affairs
- Chile: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Indonesia: Directorate General of Immigration
- Malaysia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Poland: Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
- Portugal: Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Slovak Republic: Ministry of Interior
- Slovenia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Spain: Secretariat General for Immigration and Emigration, Ministry of Employment
- Thailand: Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups in Bangkok
- Turkey: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Uruguay: Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
If you are from Israel, the People’s Republic of China or the United States of America you do not have to provide a letter of government support.
If you are a Malaysian citizen you need to provide a Malaysian Good Conduct Certificate, which can only be applied for online by selecting the ‘e-Consular’ link on the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Health requirements
You must meet certain health requirements. The health examinations you need will depend on your personal circumstances, including your period of stay, country of citizenship, time spent in another country during the last five years and your intended activities in Australia. The results of your health examinations are generally valid for 12 months.
Health insurance
You are responsible for all your health costs while you are in Australia. You will not be covered by Australia’s national health scheme (Medicare) unless your country has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia.
We recommend that you take out health insurance each time you travel to Australia.
Character requirements
You must meet certain character requirements. You must be prepared to provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age. Do not arrange for police certificates until we ask you to.
Debts to the Australian Government
You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this visa can be granted.
Provide biometrics
You might be asked to provide biometrics (a scientific form of identification) as part of the application. Countries and visa subclasses included in the biometrics program has more information.
How long your visa lasts
With this visa, you can:
- enter Australia within 12 months from the date your visa is granted (this cannot be extended or deferred)
- stay in Australia for up to 12 months from the date you first enter Australia (this is the date the 12-month stay on your visa starts)
- leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.
Extending your stay in Australia
The Work and Holiday visa lets you stay in Australia for 12 months. Any time spent outside Australia after the 12-month stay on your visa starts does not extend the length of the visa.
You may be able to apply for a different visa to extend your stay only if your visa is not granted with a ‘no further stay’ condition. You will be advised of this in your visa grant letter. Holders of visas without this condition can apply for a limited number of other visas while in Australia. You should contact your nearest immigration office in Australia to discuss your options.
Starting the 12-month stay period on your Work and Holiday visa
The 12-month stay period on your Work and Holiday visa will start if you enter Australia:
- as a transit passenger
- on an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
- on a Crew Travel Authority (CTA)
- on a Maritime Crew Visa (MCV).
Once the 12-month stay period starts, it cannot be delayed or deferred.
If you hold a Work and Holiday visa and want to enter Australia on another visa, you should:
- ask us to cancel your Work and Holiday visa before you travel to Australia (you can reapply for another Work and Holiday visa at a later stage)
- after you have confirmation that your Work and Holiday visa has been cancelled, apply for another visa.
This will allow you to avoid accidentally using your Work and Holiday visa.
To cancel your Work and Holiday (Temporary) visa (subclass 462), contact the immigration office outside Australia where your visa was processed.
WORK AND HOLIDAY VISA (SUBCLASS 462) DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
You must provide documents to support your application for this visa. We can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide all relevant information and documents with your application.
You must provide copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless we specifically ask for them. In general, documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations. For country specific information, please see the website of the Australian Immigration Office where you will lodge your application for this visa.
Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.
Forms
- Applying online (USA citizens only):
- Application for a Work and Holiday visa.
- Applying by mail or in person:
- Form 1208 – Application for a Work and Holiday visa (205KB PDF).
Receiving assistance
Complete these forms only if you are lodging a paper application:
- If someone gives you advice or lodges your application for you:
- Form 956 – Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance (133KB PDF)(the agent or exempt person completes the form and you must sign it).
- If you would like someone else to receive correspondence from us on your behalf:
- Form 956a – Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (116KB PDF) (the recipient completes the form and you must sign it).
Charges
- Pay the visa application charge.
Your personal documents
- Copies of the biographical pages of your current passport or travel document (these are the pages with the holder’s photo and personal details and the issue/expiry dates).
- A copy of your birth certificate showing both parents’ names. If you do not have a birth certificate and are unable to get one, you must provide a copy of the identification pages of at least one of the following documents:
- family book showing both parents’ names
- identification document issued by the government
- court-issued documents that verify your identity.
- If your name has changed, a copy of the evidence of the name change.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs (45 mm x 35 mm).
- These photographs should be of the head and shoulders only against a plain background.
- Print your name on the back of each photograph.
- If you have served in the armed forces of any country: copies of military service record or discharge papers.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for personal support during your stay in Australia, of approximately AUD5000.
- Evidence that you hold an onward travel ticket out of Australia OR have sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket at the conclusion of your stay. This must be in addition to your funds for personal support while in Australia.
- Evidence of relevant educational qualifications.
- For relevant countries, a valid letter of government support for this application. For details, see: Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462).
- Evidence that you have a level of English which is assessed as at least functional. You must provide one of the following prescribed types of evidence: the results of a specified English language test (IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL, CAE) taken in the past 12 months or other eligible evidence of English skill. If you are providing the results of a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test, the test must have been undertaken on or after 1 January 2015. For details, including other eligible evidence of English skill, see: Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462).
