Subclass 417 — Working Holiday Visa — immi.wiki

The Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa allows young adults from eligible countries to have an extended holiday in Australia and to supplement their travel funds by working. The visa is designed for recreation and tourism, with work as a supplementary activity rather than the primary purpose.

Australia has bilateral working holiday arrangements with a large number of countries. The Subclass 417 applies to nationals of countries that have entered a working holiday agreement with Australia (as distinct from the Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa, which applies under different bilateral arrangements).

The visa allows applicants to remain in Australia for up to 12 months initially, with the possibility of extending to a second year (and, in some cases, a third year) by completing specified regional work.

To be eligible for a Subclass 417 visa, the applicant must:

• Be a national of an eligible country that has a working holiday arrangement with Australia
• Be aged 18 to 30 years at the time of application (18 to 35 for nationals of some countries, including Canada and Ireland)
• Have no dependent children accompanying them or in Australia
• Hold a passport from the eligible country (some bilateral arrangements require the applicant to be resident in that country)
• Have sufficient funds (generally AUD 5,000) to support themselves at the start of their stay
• Have a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one
• Meet health and character requirements
• Not have previously held a Subclass 417 visa (unless applying for a second or third year)

Most Subclass 417 applications are lodged online via ImmiAccount. The process is generally straightforward:

1. Create an ImmiAccount and complete the online application form.
2. Provide passport details, evidence of funds, and any other requested documents.
3. Pay the visa application charge.
4. The Department assesses the application; processing is typically fast for most nationalities.

The applicant may apply from inside or outside Australia (subject to bilateral arrangement terms). The visa can generally be applied for up to 12 months before the intended arrival date.

Key conditions on the Subclass 417:

• Work restriction (Condition 8547) — the holder may work for any employer but may not work for the same employer for more than 6 months in the first 12 months (unless an exemption applies)
• Study restriction — the holder may study or train for up to 4 months
• Must not bring or be accompanied by dependants

Second and third year extensions

A second Subclass 417 visa may be granted if the first-year holder completed at least 88 days (3 months) of specified work in a designated regional area of Australia. Specified work categories include plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming, mining, and construction.

A third Subclass 417 visa may be granted after completing at least 88 days of specified work in a regional area during the second year.

The specific regional work requirements and regional area definitions are set by legislative instrument under r 1.15M.