June 2024 – Australia and the UK agreed to new arrangements under the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program and Youth Mobility Scheme following entry into force of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (Australia-UK FTA) last year.
In 2023, the eligible age for working holiday makers increased from 30 to 35 years inclusive.
From 1 July 2024, UK passport holders can be granted up to three separate Working Holiday visas without having to meet any specified work requirements.
These arrangements apply to all Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa applications lodged by UK passport holders on or after 1 July 2024.
Eligible passport holders
These arrangements are only available to applicants who use a passport issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to lodge their visa application.
‘UK or British passport’ refers to a passport issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including a British National (Overseas) passport, commonly referred to as a BN(O) passport.
Removal of ‘specified work’ requirements
To be eligible for a second or third Working Holiday visa, applicants must show that they have completed at least three or six months of ‘specified work’.
UK passport holders, including those who previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa using a different eligible passport (for example, from the Republic of Ireland), do not have to meet the specified subclass 417 work requirement when applying for a second or third Working Holiday visa on or after 1 July 2024.
Maximum stay of three years
Working Holiday visa holders can currently stay three years in Australia. This stay consists of three separate visas granted for 12 months each (not counting any ‘COVID-19 affected visa’).
UK passport holders can choose to apply for a first, second and third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa at any time while they still meet the eligible age requirement. They do not need to stay in Australia for three years in a row. Applicants can lodge applications for second and third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visas in or outside Australia.
