Age
Sydney announces ages 18–35 from 1 September 2026; Melbourne’s older checklist still says 18–30. Confirm with your responsible office. The older page is not used to reject applicants aged 31–35.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Australian passport / Working Holiday
Working Holiday in South Korea for Australians (2026)
Check the essential requirements, then follow the five stages to prepare your application and trip.
Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
The Australian application route is established. Age disagreement and local funds, photo and insurance instructions need jurisdiction confirmation. The assessed age range remains null.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
- Length of stay
- Maximum 12 months; multiple entryLearn moreReferences: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL
- Initial funds
- Office-specific initial-support evidenceLearn moreReferences: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
- Visa fee
- AUD 588 in Sydney and Melbourne checklistsLearn moreReferences: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
- Annual quota
- Australia listed as unlimitedLearn moreReferences: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL
- Application dates and timing
- First entry within 12 months of issueLearn moreReferences: AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
- Language
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
- Study
- Korean language course up to four monthsLearn moreReferences: AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
- Work
- 1,300 hours annually; six months per employerLearn moreReferences: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Australia →South KoreaWorking Holiday in South Korea for Australians (2026)
Requirements, application steps and preparation before departure.
Step 1
Check requirements and language preparation
Length of stay
Sydney’s programme overview gives the stay. This differs from the deadline to make your first entry after issue.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL
Initial funds
Sydney requires at least three months of support. Melbourne requests three months of transactions and a closing balance above AUD 5,000, in your name and issued within one week. Confirm your jurisdiction’s instructions.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Visa fee
Payment methods depend on the office and filing method. Confirm them before payment.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Annual quota
This is Sydney’s explicit table wording. It does not establish current application availability or guarantee approval.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL
Application dates and timing
Then follow the actual permitted stay. No annual opening date is inferred.
References: AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Language
The Australian checklists do not establish a Korean proficiency-test score. Language courses remain subject to the stated study conditions.
References: AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Explore language courses →Passport
These local checklists do not establish an extra validity margin. Another nationality’s passport margin is not imported.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Insurance
Melbourne lists insurance among expenses, but policy benefits and minimum coverage are not settled here. Confirm current consular and Korean health-cover requirements.
References: AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Documents and participation
Sydney requests a recent 35 × 45 mm photo. Melbourne specifies bank evidence and GP results with a letter. Its conflicting 350 × 450 mm photo text appears to be a typo; confirm before preparing photos.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Step 2
Apply through the official route
Apply to the Korean office responsible for your Australian residence. Melbourne describes appointment filing or post; other offices may differ. Confirm the newer age announcement with your office.
- Identify your residence jurisdiction and confirm the current age rule and H-1 checklist with that Korean office.
- Prepare the passport, recent photo, return travel, activity plan and your office’s funds, medical and insurance evidence.
- Use its appointment or permitted postal method and pay the confirmed fee. Retain copies because submitted documents may not be returned.
- Check the issue and entry dates, obtain the work and study conditions, and plan arrival registration.
Step 3
Read your approval and entry conditions
Read the entire approval notice: identity, dates, entry deadline and conditions. Keep it available offline. Do not assume the visa starts on your preferred date.
Step 4
Get ready for the trip
Plan for your office’s bank-statement timing and GP results. Do not transfer US student or recent-graduate conditions, or US funds amounts, to Australians.
- Passport, visa and requested evidence accessible offline.
- Initial funds, insurance and departure costs checked separately.
- First accommodation and airport transport arranged.
Step 5
Start your Working Holiday
Melbourne instructs foreigner registration at the local immigration office within 90 days of arrival. Check Hi Korea for appointments and follow the issued conditions. Track hours and employer tenure.
Work
Sydney states the annual hours limit; Melbourne states the employer limit. Professional roles, language instruction, adult entertainment and other incompatible activities are excluded.
Study
Melbourne says degree education requires the D-2 route. Confirm the current conditions with your responsible office.
Explore language courses →Language courses · commercial service
Plan a language course for your trip.
Through ViveCampus you can request language-course quotes with international-student discounts. Offers may vary by your country of origin and destination. A personalized quote confirms available discounts and the final price. Booking a course does not guarantee a visa.
Melbourne says degree education requires the D-2 route. Confirm the current conditions with your responsible office.
Other destinations to compare
- Working Holiday in Argentina →
- Working Holiday in Austria →
- Working Holiday in Belgium →
- Brazil - source note →
- Working Holiday in Canada →
- Working Holiday in Chile →
- Cyprus - source note →
- Working Holiday in Czechia →
- Working Holiday in Denmark →
- Ecuador - source note →
- Working Holiday in Estonia →
- Working Holiday in Finland →
- Working Holiday in France →
- Working Holiday in Germany →
- Working Holiday in Greece →
- Working Holiday in Hong Kong →
- Working Holiday in Hungary →
- Indonesia - source note →
- Working Holiday in Ireland →
- Working Holiday in Israel →
- Working Holiday in Italy →
- Working Holiday in Japan →
- Working Holiday in Luxembourg →
- Working Holiday in Malaysia →
- Working Holiday in Malta →
- Working Holiday in Mongolia →
- Working Holiday in the Netherlands →
- Working Holiday in Norway →
- Papua New Guinea - source note →
- Working Holiday in Peru →
- Working Holiday in Poland →
- Portugal - source note →
- Working Holiday in San Marino →
- Working Holiday in Singapore →
- Working Holiday in Slovakia →
- Working Holiday in Slovenia →
- Working Holiday in Spain →
- Working Holiday in Sweden →
- Working Holiday in Taiwan →
- Working Holiday in Thailand →
- Türkiye - source note →
- Working Holiday in the United Kingdom →
- Working Holiday in Uruguay →
- Working Holiday in Vietnam →
Frequently asked questions
Can Australians aged 31–35 apply?
Sydney announces ages 18–35 from 1 September 2026; Melbourne’s older page says 18–30. Confirm with your office. The older limit is not used to reject you.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Explore language courses →Is 1,300 hours an allowance for the whole stay?
Sydney describes annual employment hours. Also observe the employer and occupation restrictions.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL
Can I teach languages on H-1?
The local pages exclude professional positions including language instructors.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Does Melbourne require exactly AUD 5,000?
It says a closing balance above AUD 5,000 and requests recent transactions in your own name. Confirm your actual office’s rule.
References: AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Is entering within a year the same as a year of stay from issue?
No. The entry deadline and permitted stay are separate conditions. Follow the issued visa.
References: AU-KR-SYD-FINAL AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
What is required after arrival?
Melbourne says to obtain foreigner registration within 90 days. Follow Hi Korea and local immigration instructions.
References: AU-KR-MEL-FINAL
Official sources
Research consulted: 17 October 2026. Check current requirements with the issuing authority before applying.
2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
AU-KR-SYD-FINAL · Korean Sydney consulate - Australian programme
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.