Australia working holiday visa for Irish citizens

This page is for citizens of Ireland considering Australia’s Working Holiday visa (subclass 417). The program allows you to stay in Australia for up to 12 months, which must begin within 12 months of the visa grant date. To be eligible, you must be aged 18 to 35. You cannot have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 or 462 visa.

The application fee for the first visa is AUD840.00. You will also need to show you have sufficient funds for your stay, which is stated as about AUD5,000 plus the cost of your fare to leave Australia. While in the country, you can study for up to 4 months and generally work for no more than 6 months with a single employer. Applications must be made online from outside Australia.

Passport

Ireland

Age range

18 to 35

Stay

Up to 12 months

Fee

AUD840.00 (first visa)

Funds

About AUD5,000 plus your fare out

Conditions for Irish citizens

• No extra country-specific conditions are listed on the official page beyond the general rules below.

General rules of the program

• Up to 12 months from first entry; you must enter within 12 months of the grant date.
• Short-term work to help pay for the holiday; usually no more than 6 months with the same employer.
• Study for up to 4 months (17 weeks).
• Usually about AUD5,000 for the initial stay, plus the fare to leave Australia.
• Apply online from outside Australia; you must also be outside Australia when the visa is decided.
• You cannot include family members, and dependent children cannot accompany you.
• You must not have entered Australia before on a subclass 417 or 462 visa.
• 3 months of specified work can make you eligible for a second Working Holiday visa.
• Apply before midnight Australian Eastern time on the day before your 31st (or 36th) birthday.
• Home Affairs says the average processing time is expected to be around three months and advises against booking travel before the grant.

What stands out

The age range for Irish citizens, 18 to 35, is higher than for some other working holiday programs available to your passport, such as the one for New Zealand. The required funds of about AUD5,000 plus an onward fare is a specific financial condition. Also, be aware of the processing time; the government advises it is expected to be around three months and recommends not booking travel before the visa is granted. Performing 3 months of specified work during your stay can make you eligible for a second visa.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check that your passport is on the list for this subclass and that you are within the age limit on the day you lodge.
2. Gather your passport pages, birth certificate, proof of funds and the other documents Home Affairs lists.
3. Apply online through ImmiAccount from outside Australia and pay the visa application charge.
4. Wait for the decision outside Australia; Home Affairs advises not to book travel until the visa is granted.
5. Enter Australia within 12 months of the grant.

Other programs open to Irish citizens

From the programs in this directory. Status is shown only where the official page stated it.

Full list: working holiday visas for Irish citizens.

All passports for this program: Australia working holiday visas: subclass 417 and 462.