Australia working holiday visa for UK citizens

This page is for United Kingdom passport holders who want to know about Australia’s Working Holiday visa. The program allows you to stay for up to 12 months for a holiday, supplemented with short-term work. This visa, subclass 417, is for people aged 18 to 35.

The application fee for a first visa is AUD840.00. You will also need to show you have sufficient funds for your stay, which is about AUD5,000, plus the money for your fare to leave Australia. You can work for up to 6 months with one employer and study for up to 4 months. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.

Passport

United Kingdom

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 UK citizens

• Includes British National Overseas (BN(O)) passport holders.

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 UK citizens, 18 to 35, is higher than for some other working holiday programs. You must apply before midnight Australian Eastern time on the day before your 36th birthday. The visa also covers British National Overseas passport holders. Unlike some other arrangements, you cannot include family members or bring dependent children with you. To be eligible, you must not have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 or 462 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 UK citizens

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

Full list: working holiday visas for UK citizens.

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