Second and third year Working Holiday visas
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What counts as specified work?
Specified work is paid work in an approved industry and area of Australia. It must be paid under Australian law and awards. For the 417, the approved industries are:
- tourism and hospitality in Northern, Remote and Very Remote Australia
- plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia
- fishing and pearling in regional Australia
- tree farming and felling in regional Australia
- mining in regional Australia
- construction in regional Australia
- bushfire recovery work in declared areas, after 31 July 2019
- recovery work in flood, cyclone or other severe weather areas, after 31 December 2021
- critical COVID-19 work in healthcare anywhere in Australia, after 31 January 2020
Home Affairs is temporarily giving more weight to the industry, so work that supports a specified industry, such as administrative and cleaning support, in an eligible postcode may be accepted. Voluntary work counts only when it is recovery work in bushfire or other declared disaster areas. The 462 list is narrower. It covers fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, and construction in northern Australia only, with plant and animal cultivation in northern Australia and other specified regional areas, and no regional mining.
Plant and animal cultivation means harvesting or packing fruit and vegetable crops, immediate processing of animal products such as shearing and butchery, and commercial pruning of vines and trees. General garden maintenance does not count, and secondary processing such as winemaking and brewing does not count.
How is the time counted?
Three months means the three shortest calendar months, which is a minimum of 88 calendar days including weekends or rest days. Six months is 179 calendar days, and for the third visa the work must be on or after 1 July 2019. You must complete the same number of normal work days as a full-time employee in that role would in the period. You can work five days a week for three months, fewer days over a longer time, or add short periods together. It does not have to be with one employer or in one block, and you cannot finish the requirement in less than the calendar period. For example, working two days a week from 1 February to 30 April does not meet 3 months.
Requirements and cost
| Visa | Specified work | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Second 417 or 462 | 3 months (88 calendar days) | A$1,000 |
| Third 417 or 462 | 6 months (179 calendar days) | A$1,000 |
You must have a passport from an eligible country and be 18 to 30 (or 35 for some 417 countries). If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or your last substantive visa must have expired less than 28 days ago. A second visa gives 12 months, with any kind of work, the same 6-month employer limit, and 4 months of study on the 417.
UK passport holders
Since 1 July 2023 UK passport holders can apply for a 417 between 18 and 35. From 1 July 2024 they can be granted up to three 417 visas without meeting specified work requirements, if they use a UK passport (including BN(O)) to lodge the application. A person can hold no more than three 417 visas in a lifetime across all passports.
FAQ
Can I study?
Up to 4 months on a 417.
Is it regional work only?
Industries and areas are listed above. Tourism and hospitality counts in northern and remote areas.
Are the 462 rules the same?
The 3 and 6 month rule is the same, but the industry list is narrower.
Is there a ballot for a second or third year?
The official visa pages list a ballot only for first 462 applications from China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia.
How fast are decisions?
The expected average is around three months. See processing times.