Thinking about a working holiday in Australia? The subclass 417 and 462 visas remain the easiest way for young travellers to fund a year (or more) of exploring the country through part-time or short-term work. But 2026 has brought real changes — higher fees, a new ballot system on the way, and shifting country eligibility. Here's everything current.

What Is the Working Holiday Visa Australia?

The Working Holiday Maker program lets eligible young adults from partner countries travel around Australia for up to 12 months (extendable to 24 or 36 months for some) while working to support their trip. It covers two visa subclasses — the Working Holiday visa (417) and the Work and Holiday visa (462) — each tied to a different set of partner countries.

Who Can Apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Australia?

Applicants generally need to be aged 18 to 30 (inclusive) at the time of application, hold an eligible passport, have sufficient funds to support themselves, and meet health and character requirements. A number of countries — including Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, and Denmark — have a higher age ceiling of 35. From 1 July 2026, passport holders from Cyprus, Finland, Germany, and the Republic of Korea were also added to the 18–35 age bracket, widening eligibility for those nationalities.

What's the Difference Between the 417 and 462 Visa?

The subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa is uncapped — any eligible applicant from a partner country can apply, with no ballot or quota involved. The subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa, used by a different set of partner countries, often comes with annual country caps and, for high-demand nationalities like China, India, and Vietnam, a pre-application ballot. Registration for the 2026–27 ballot for these three countries closed on 25 June 2026, and Indonesia is expected to move to a similar ballot system later in the year.

How Much Does the Working Holiday Visa Cost in 2026?

From 1 July 2026, the application charge for a first Working Holiday Maker visa is AUD 840. A second or third visa (417 stream) now costs AUD 1,000. These are the base government charges only — budget separately for flights, health insurance, proof-of-funds requirements, and any visa condition-related costs.

What Changed for Working Holiday Visas in September 2026?

This is the update most applicants haven't seen yet. On 17 September 2026, the Home Affairs Minister announced that second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas are moving to a ballot system. Currently, meeting the specified work requirement automatically qualifies you for the next visa; under the new system, meeting the work requirement will get you into a ballot rather than guaranteeing a place. The change is part of a broader push to bring net overseas migration down, will roll out progressively over the next 12 months, and still requires some legislative steps before it's finalised. Notably, UK passport holders are expected to be exempt from this particular change. The government has also flagged a goal of stabilising Working Holiday Maker processing times at around three months, after recent blowouts.

How Do You Qualify for a Second or Third Year?

Under the rules currently in force, second-year eligibility requires completing three months (88 days) of specified work in an eligible industry or region, and a third year requires six months of specified work. These work requirements are expected to remain in place even after the ballot system is introduced — the ballot changes how you're selected for the next visa, not what work you need to have done to be eligible for it.

How Do You Apply for the Working Holiday Visa?

1. Check your eligibility — passport country, age bracket, and whether your nationality falls under 417 or 462.
2. Register for a ballot, if your country requires one (currently China, India, Vietnam for 462; Indonesia expected to follow).
3. Gather documents — passport, proof of funds, health and character evidence.
4. Lodge your application online through ImmiAccount and pay the current visa charge.
5. Wait for a decision — don't book travel until you have written confirmation of the grant.
6. Track your work days carefully from day one if you're planning a second or third year, since evidence requirements are strict.

How Can Edvise Hub Help With Your Application?

Working holiday rules move fast — caps fill, ballots open and close within weeks, and the incoming ballot system for second and third years adds a layer most applicants haven't had to deal with before. Edvise Hub helps applicants make sense of current eligibility, country-specific requirements, and what the ballot changes mean for their specific plans, so decisions are based on what's actually in effect rather than outdated advice.

Final Thoughts

The Working Holiday visa is still one of the most accessible ways to work and travel in Australia, but 2026 has made it less predictable than in previous years — particularly for anyone planning to stay beyond a single year. Confirm your country's current cap, ballot, and fee status directly on the Department of Home Affairs website before you commit to travel dates or bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Working Holiday visa cost in 2026?
In short: AUD 840 for a first visa, and AUD 1,000 for a second or third visa, from 1 July 2026.

Is there a ballot for the Working Holiday visa now?
In short: 462 applicants from China, India, and Vietnam already need a ballot, and a new ballot for second/third-year visas is being rolled out through 2026–27.

What is the age limit for the Working Holiday visa?
In short: generally 18–30, but several countries — including Germany, Finland, Cyprus, and South Korea as of 1 July 2026 — qualify up to age 35.