Who can get a working holiday visa in Australia? and who can’t? You might be surprised.

For students and young people throughout the developed world, including young Australians, a working holiday or a gap year is a rite of passage. Certain countries such as Japan, New Zealand, Canada and Japan have had reciprocal agreements with Australia for Working Holiday visas since the 1980s, and little by little countries like Korea, Great Britain and the EU joined such agreement.

These days the countries with agreements with Australia is extensive for the 417 Working Holiday visa, and Australia has extended similar but more limited visa to a number of countries in Asia and Latin America (462)

Let’s take a look at the countries eligible for each visa.

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is available to young adults (usually under 30 but in some countries it may be older) from the following countries.

• Belgium
• Canada
• Republic of Cyprus
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong (including British National Overseas passport holders)
• Republic of Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Sweden
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom

Most of these countries offer reciprocal visas to Australians, and they also have similar healthcare systems that the visa holders can use reciprocally (though check this information case to case).

(A notable exclusion is the USA. If you are from the USA you will need to get a sponsored visa or student visa)

Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) is available to young adults as well, but the numbers are limited on this visa, and you’ll need to be a university graduate, able to prove your financial independence and intention to return to your country for most visas.

• Argentina
• Austria
• Brazil
• Chile
• China (subject to ballot process)
• Czech Republic
• Ecuador
• Greece
• Hungary
• India (subject to ballot process)
• Indonesia
• Israel
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Mongolia
• Papua New Guinea
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Slovak Republic
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Uruguay
• Vietnam (subject to ballot process)

India is a really interesting new inclusions on the list with strict limits on numbers and qualifications. I say ‘interesting’ because Indians on student visas have become synonymous with breaking visa rules by working illegally, faking documentation, attended sham schools and overstaying visas. As a result, Australia has actually become much strict on processing Indian students visas with the press saying up to 90% of Indian student visas being refused in 2024 (hearsay). Many people have been saying for years, they are not here to study but here to work. At the same time, many Indians with good intentions are punished because of those who break the rules. So, Australian Home Affairs actually did something and gave them a working holiday visa but only for those who have already graduated a University in India and also ensuring this visa is not a pathway to permanent residency but rather an opportunity to gain new experiences.

And I think that explanation is a good way to express what the whole scheme is about- building positive bonds between countries and their people through life experience.

Working Holiday Visas are a fantastic opportunity to experience the Australian way of life, gain work experience, and make unforgettable memories.

Here is the link to the Australian Home Affairs working holiday visa page, but the best way to get information is to contact the Australian embassy or consulate in your country.