Travel topic · Money
Australia Working Holiday visa (417 and 462): rules, farm work and tax
Apply for a Working Holiday visa if you are 18‑30 (or 35 for some countries), have a passport from an eligible nation, and want up to 12 months work (6 months farm work per visa). Expect AU$620 fee, 2‑4 weeks processing, and register for an ABN and tax file number to pay tax on farm earnings.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Applies to
Quick answer on who can apply, cost, processing time, farm‑work limits and tax duties for Australia Working Holiday visas (subclass 417 and 462).
Key facts
- Eligibility agecheck
- 18‑30 (or 35 for some countries)
- Visa feecheck
- AU$620 (approx. US$420)
- Processing timecheck
- 2‑4 weeks (check)
- Farm work limitcheck
- Maximum 6 months per visa
- Tax requirementcheck
- Obtain TFN, lodge tax return, pay 15‑45 % depending on income
Your checklist
Every 'Do' tip in this guide in one list. Tick them off as you sort each one.
0 of 3 done
Ticks stay on this device only.
Who can apply
You must hold a passport from a country that has a Working Holiday agreement with Australia (e.g., UK, Canada, USA, Ireland, New Zealand). Age limits are 18‑30, extended to 35 for some nations such as Canada and Ireland.
You must not have dependent children travelling with you and must have sufficient funds (AU$5,000) for the initial stay.
You must not have previously held a Working Holiday visa for Australia.
Application steps
Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Complete the online form, upload passport scan, health insurance proof and a recent photo.
Pay the AU$620 fee by credit card.
Submit and wait for a decision (usually 2‑4 weeks).
If approved, you receive a visa grant number; the visa is linked to your passport and is valid for 12 months from entry.
Do
- Apply at least 3 months before your intended travel date to allow for any additional checks.
Watch out
- Providing false information can lead to visa refusal and future bans.
Show 4 sectionsHideFarm work limits and conditions, Tax and superannuation, Questions people ask, Related
Farm work limits and conditions
Each Working Holiday visa allows up to 6 months of specified regional work (e.g., fruit picking, cattle mustering, sugar cane harvesting).
Work must be in a designated regional area (outside major metropolitan zones).
You can only claim the farm‑work extension once per visa; a second Working Holiday visa (417/462) permits another 6 months of farm work.
Employers must provide a signed work contract and a pay slip for the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
Do
- Use the Australian government’s regional work list to verify eligible jobs.
Watch out
- Exceeding the 6‑month limit invalidates the visa for future extensions.
Tax and superannuation
Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) within two weeks of arrival; it is required for any paid work.
Employers will withhold tax at the appropriate rate (generally 15 % for residents on low income, rising to 45 % for higher brackets).
You must lodge an annual tax return (usually by 31 October for the previous financial year).
If you earn over AU$450 in a calendar year, you are eligible for the superannuation guarantee (2 % of earnings) unless you opt out.
Do
- Keep all pay slips and bank statements; the ATO provides an online portal for filing returns.
Watch out
- Failure to lodge a tax return can affect future visa applications.
Questions people ask
What is the short answer?
If you meet the age and passport criteria, you can get a Working Holiday visa for AU$620, wait 2‑4 weeks, work up to 6 months on farms, and must register for tax.
Who does it apply to?
Citizens of countries with a Working Holiday agreement (e.g., UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand) aged 18‑30 (or 35 for some).
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
The application fee is AU$620; processing typically takes 2‑4 weeks, though some cases may require additional checks.
Can I do two farm‑work stints on one visa?
No, the 6‑month farm‑work limit applies per visa; a second visa (second Working Holiday) allows another 6 months.
Do I need to pay Australian tax on farm earnings?
Yes. Obtain a TFN, have tax withheld by your employer, and lodge an annual tax return.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check and were last checked Sep 2026