Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) — Australia

The Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) allows you to take an extended holiday in Australia and support your travels with short-term work. You apply through the Department of Home Affairs.

Approval isn’t guaranteed. You need to complete the application form, provide supporting documents, and follow Home Affairs’ instructions.

Key Visa Options to Know

Each visa has a distinct purpose. You need to pick the right one before applying.

Application Basics

File your application with Home Affairs. Complete all required sections and attach supporting evidence.

Form Form 80 may be required if Home Affairs asks for it during your process.

Important points:

• Select the correct visa subclass.
• Sign and submit your application properly.
• Lodging an application doesn’t guarantee approval.
• Check Home Affairs for current fees in AUD (A$) and processing details.

The Australian Border Force manages entry, but Home Affairs decides your visa.

To extend your stay on a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa, you must apply again through Home Affairs. Set up or log into your ImmiAccount and submit a new application online.

Review the eligibility rules for your country before applying. Not meeting country-specific criteria can result in refusal.

Before you apply:

• Confirm your country’s eligibility requirements with Home Affairs
• Review instructions for your visa category
• Prepare supporting documents, which may include Form Form 80 if requested
• Submit your application through your ImmiAccount

Home Affairs assesses your application. The Australian Border Force handles entry, but not visa decisions.

If you’re considering alternatives, compare your options:

Each visa has separate eligibility rules. Always review Home Affairs guidance before applying.

Get advice if you’re unsure about eligibility or accessing your application. Many delays start with small issues that could have been resolved early.

If you’re not sure whether your citizenship is eligible, check with Home Affairs before applying. Eligibility is a threshold requirement for a Working Holiday visa.

If you lose access to your ImmiAccount, you’ll need to resolve it. Home Affairs runs its online visa services through ImmiAccount.

Common situations that require action:

• Forgot your ImmiAccount username or password
• Lost access to your multi-factor authentication app
• Uncertain which visa fits your purpose, such as:

Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

• Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (subclass 400)

• Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408)

• Unsure how to complete required forms, including Form Form 80

Set up an ImmiAccount if you don’t have one. Without it, you can’t use Home Affairs’ online visa services.

Address access or eligibility questions before you submit your application to avoid unnecessary delays.

The Working Holiday program lets eligible young people (18–30 or 35, depending on nationality) travel and work in Australia for up to 12 months. Apply through Home Affairs using your ImmiAccount.

You might also be eligible for the Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) if your country participates.

If you only plan short-term specialist work or a specific activity, look at the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (subclass 400) or Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408).

State your travel intentions and planned activities clearly in your application. Home Affairs reviews these details closely.

When required, fill out Form Form 80 accurately. ASIO uses this form for background checks.

To avoid delays:

• Disclose all international travel, including trips to sensitive or conflict-affected regions.
• Use passport stamps, boarding passes, and booking records to confirm dates.
• Make sure details in Form 80 match any related forms.
• Check travel, employment, and address histories for consistency before submission.

If you don’t have exact dates, provide reasonable estimates based on your records. Inconsistencies or missing information can suspend processing.

Apply through the Department of Home Affairs using your ImmiAccount. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory, and you must answer every question fully and truthfully.

Home Affairs may require supporting forms, including Form

1. If you submit both Form Form 80 and Form 1221, all details must match exactly. Inconsistent information can create credibility issues.

Providing false or misleading information can result in refusal, cancellation, or bans on future applications. You’re responsible for the accuracy of everything you submit.

Make sure you’re applying for the correct visa stream. The main options include:

General application requirements may include:

• Completed online application through ImmiAccount
• Accurate personal history
• Any required supplementary forms, such as Form 80
• Consistent information across all documents

Check that every detail aligns across your forms and supporting documents. Accuracy and consistency matter.

If you want to stay connected to Australia after your Working Holiday, your next step depends on the work you plan to do and your intended length of stay.

Home Affairs manages all visa applications. They publish current forms, fees in AUD (A$), and instructions. Always use the latest version of your application form.

If you’re considering another temporary option, compare each visa’s purpose:

Prepare a complete personal history before applying for any new visa. Home Affairs may require Form Form 80, which asks for detailed background information.

Build a clear 10-year record of your:

• Residential addresses
• Employment history
• Education
• Travel outside your home country

Gaps in your timeline can delay processing.

Declare all criminal history, including pending charges and spent convictions. Not disclosing information can lead to refusal, even for minor issues.

Submit your application through Home Affairs and pay the required visa fee in AUD. The Australian Border Force manages entry at the border, but Home Affairs decides your visa application.

You pay a government application fee when you lodge a Working Holiday visa application with Home Affairs.

As of July 2026, the fee is:

Fees can change, so confirm the current amount through Home Affairs before applying.

processing times depend on the subclass and whether you’ve submitted all required documents. Missing documents will delay your application.

For many temporary visas, including the Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462), typical processing times are:

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (subclass 400) and Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408) have their own timelines. Check current processing times with Home Affairs.

If Home Affairs requests Form Form 80, processing can take much longer depending on your visa stream and location.

The processing times change by category and location. Home Affairs publishes quarterly updates—review the latest figures before lodging your application.

Apply for a Working Holiday visa through the Department of Home Affairs. The documents you need depend on the visa you select.

Common options include:

Pick the visa that fits your purpose. Review Home Affairs for current eligibility rules and application charges in AUD.

Prepare your documents carefully. Requirements vary, but you may need:

• Identity documents
• Supporting evidence for your visa type
• Police certificates
• Completed forms such as Form Form 80 (if requested)

Police certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date. If processing takes longer, you might need a new one.

Check the visa processing times guide with Home Affairs before you apply. It gives an estimate of how long your application may take.

Submit accurate and complete information. Incomplete applications can delay processing and may require more documents later.

Home Affairs processes visa applications. The Australian Border Force manages entry at the border after your visa is granted.

Home Affairs often refuses or delays a Working Holiday or Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) application because of incomplete or inconsistent information in your ImmiAccount.

Uploading all required documents is essential before Home Affairs can assess your case.

Missing documents lead to delays and may result in refusal if you don’t respond properly.

Background history is a frequent sticking point.

If Home Affairs asks for more information, respond clearly and completely.

Gaps in your timeline raise credibility concerns, especially if informal activities aren’t explained.

Complete Form Form 80 carefully if requested.

Provide a full 10-year history with no missing months.

Submitting documents in another language without certified translations can result in refusal.

Only supporting documents may be translated; the form itself must be completed in English.

If you apply under another temporary category, such as the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (subclass 400) or Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408), you must still follow the same document and language rules set by Home Affairs.