You’re dreaming of breaking the mold, saying goodbye to the nine-to-five, packing a backpack, and booking a one-way flight to who-knows-where. Well, have you considered Australia? The Land Down Unda’ is the perfect destination for a gap year abroad with its pristine, white sand beaches, massive international community, and kangaroos bouncing in your own backyard. 

There are heaps of opportunities to work, volunteer, intern, and study abroad in Australia to make your gap year meaningful, and let’s not forget the epic road trips that make Oz a bucket list destination for backpackers from around the globe.

But the best part? Australia is one of the few countries in the world that offers a working holiday visa program for young travelers. That means if you’re under 30 and ready to hit the road, Australia will welcome you in for a year (and sometimes longer) to work abroad and travel the country, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Red Centre and everywhere in between.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Here you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to get a working holiday visa in Australia so you can begin your journey to the southern hemisphere in no time!

Australia working holiday visa requirements

Before you get too excited, it’s important to check the working holiday visa Australia requirements. After all, you don’t want to go through the application process for an Australia working holiday visa without understanding what you’re getting yourself into. Every country has different requirements, so let’s dive in.

1. Be between 18-30 years old

The Australia working holiday visa program targets young adult travelers who are eager to gain work experience while exploring a bloody beautiful country. No matter where you’re from, you must be at least 18 years old for a gap year in Australia, and typically the working holiday visa Australia age limit is 30 years old.

But recent changes within Australia’s immigration department have now opened the doors wider to Canadian, French, and Irish citizens, extending the working holiday visa Australia age limit to 35. So get that application in and pack your sunnies and thongs before it’s too late!

2. Have a passport from an eligible country

Unfortunately, not every country in the world is eligible for Australia working holiday visas. The application is open to those from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and select countries in Europe, Asia, and South America. Check out Australia’s immigration website for working holiday visa Australia requirements to make sure you make the cut, as each country’s application process is a bit different.

3. Not be accompanied by dependent children

Sorry mommas, you need to leave your babies at home for this one! The Australia working holiday visa was invented for young solo travelers who want a cultural experience. Oz wants you to wander the country to the max and take a holiday for yourself, while also contributing to the economy in between explorations.

If you have dependent children you need to support, you’ll take the holiday out of the Australia working holiday visa. So instead of traveling to the opposite side of the world to support a family, the idea is to work in order to spend the money on travel and a legendary adventure.

4. Stay in Australia for up to one year*

Now this is where the working holiday visa Australia requirements get a bit tricky. If you land an Australia working holiday visa, you have one year to make this beautiful country your home, whether you want to spend that time in one city at a job that looks good on your resume, or in a campervan for months on the road, touching every inch of the coastline.

But some countries have the option of staying even longer on their Australia working holiday visa. Simply dedicate three months of your year to doing farm work in rural areas and you can extend your year into two. And as of 2020, select countries can turn two years into three if they’re willing to spend six months on a farm! It may be hard work, but you’ll definitely spot a koala or two out in rural Oz.

How to apply for a working holiday visa in Australia

You’ve browsed the immigration website, looked into the working holiday visa Australia requirements, and it all checks out. Now it’s time to learn how to apply for a working holiday visa in Australia. No worries, mate, the process is easy. Follow these steps, and you’ll be calling ‘Straya “home” before you know it.

1. Understand the two different types of visas

Before you start thinking about how to get a working holiday visa in Australia, we have some news for you. There are actually two types of Australia working holiday visas: the working holiday visa (subclass 417) and the work and holiday visa (subclass 462).

But don’t get your knickers in a twist! The two types of visas are essentially the same. The work and holiday and working holiday visa Australia age limit is the same, both let you into Australia for one year, and the applications are similar, too. The biggest difference is your country of origin, but Australia’s visa finder makes it easy to figure out your eligibility for every type of visa.

2. Make sure your passport is up-to-date

You know the difference between the two types of Australia working holiday visas. Now it’s time to double check that passport expiration date. Does your passport cover you for a year (or two, or three)? Consider how long you want to live down under, and then add six months to that to make sure your passport is up-to-date. If the expiration date is approaching, you’ll have to apply for a new one before you apply for your Australia working holiday visa.

3. Create an ImmiAccount

Now you’re defo ready to learn how to apply for a working holiday visa in Australia. Well, the process is painless. All Australian visas should be applied for online, so you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own living room.

Grab your laptop and create an ImmiAccount that allows you to apply for any Aussie visa, make changes to your applications, and track your visa status online. Before you fill out a visa application, you’ll need to create a free account to link your passport to the Australian immigration department. All you need is an email address and password, and you’ll be ready to go.

4. Fill out the application

Grab that passport and get started. While it may be a long process for some visa applications, the Australia working holiday visa is fairly short and very straight forward. Fill out your passport, personal, and travel details and start day dreaming of endless sunshine and tasty meat pies.

5. Upload your required documents

Every country has a slightly different process on how to get a working holiday visa in Australia. Before you submit your application, carefully review the required documents for your country. Everyone will need to upload a copy of their passport, and some will need details of their finances, background checks, or immigration health checks.

If you’re from a non-English-speaking country, all of your documents will need to be translated, too. Set aside some time to gather and prepare you documents, otherwise the Aussie immigration department won’t even peek at your application.

6. Pay the visa fee

The last step on how to get a working holiday visa in Australia is to pay up. It ain’t free to travel to the land of plenty. Visa fees are subject to change at the start of January each year, but as of 2019, the cost for an Australia working holiday visa is $485 AUD.

It may sound like heaps, but can you really put a price on one year of gnarly waves, an endless stock of Tim Tams, and koala cuddles? Don’t forget, once you land a job, you’ll be rolling in colorful dollar bills all day long.

7. Wait for processing

They say it could take up to one month to process the Australia working holiday visa, but most countries get it quickly. Legend has it that some have even received their grant letter in less than 24 hours!

Again, processing time for your visa depends on where you’re from, as some applications are scrutinized on a higher level than others. But there’s not much you can do in this stage but wait. Cross your fingers, send a little prayer to the gods, and you should have your visa result emailed to your inbox shortly!

Need Help With Your Visa? Check Out GoAbroad Travel Resources

Print that Australia working holiday visa and GO!

Congratulations, mate! Your visa has been granted, and you’re ready for a true blue experience. Your Australia working holiday visa is electronically linked to your passport, so you won’t need to send your passport away to any embassy to get your visa. All you need is a copy of your grant letter, your passport, a flight to Oz, and your Aussie travel bucket list to make the most of your gap year in Australia!

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