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British-citizen passport / Working Holiday

Working Holiday in Australia for British citizens (2026)

Requirements and practical preparation for your Working Holiday in Australia. Start with the summary, then follow the five stages.

Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.

Check the current first subclass 417 visa fee and processing guidance with Home Affairs before applying.

Key facts at a glance

Age: 18–35 inclusiveLearn moreReferences: AU-417
Length of stay: Up to 12 months per visaLearn moreReferences: AU-417
Initial funds: Prepare at least AUD 5,000, plus departureLearn moreReferences: AU-417
Visa fee: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: AU-417
Annual quota: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: AU-417
Application dates and timing: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: AU-417
Language: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: AU-417
Study: Up to 4 monthsLearn moreReferences: AU-417
Work: Usually 6 months with one employerLearn moreReferences: AU-417

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Step 1

Check requirements and language preparation

Age

The age range applies at application. Also check residence, previous participation and all other conditions for your passport.

References: AU-417

Length of stay

A first subclass 417 visa permits up to twelve months. A second or third visa requires a separate application and its own conditions; three years are not granted automatically.

References: AU-417

Initial funds

For preparation, set aside at least AUD 5,000 for your initial stay, plus a ticket or money to leave Australia. Home Affairs describes its guidance as usually about AUD 5,000. This is not an exact statutory threshold or a complete travel budget.

References: AU-417

Visa fee

This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.

References: AU-417

Annual quota

This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.

References: AU-417

Application dates and timing

This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.

References: AU-417

Language

This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.

References: AU-417

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Passport

This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.

References: AU-417

Insurance

This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.

References: AU-417

Documents and participation

UK passport holders applying for a second or third 417 visa from 1 July 2024 do not have to meet the specified-work requirement. Each visa still needs a separate application and all other applicable conditions. Do not apply this UK exception to an Irish-passport application.

References: AU-417 AU-GB

Step 2

Apply through the official route

Apply for the appropriate subclass 417 in ImmiAccount. A first visa requires applying from outside Australia; second and third visas are separate applications. The UK specified-work exemption applies to applications using the qualifying UK passport under the official arrangements.

Check your qualifying UK passport, age, previous417/462 history and whether this is your first, second or third application.
Prepare the official identity, financial, health and character evidence required for that stage.
Submit the correct417 application in ImmiAccount. For a first visa apply from outside Australia; follow the later-visa rules separately.
Wait for the grant and inspect entry and work/study conditions before booking travel.

Read the official instructions ↗

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

Keep initial living funds separate from departure resources. The UK specified-work exemption does not turn three separate visas into a single three-year grant. Check health cover and the four-month study restriction before enrolment.

AU-417 GB-AU-18

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

Read the actual grant notice and usual six-month same-employer condition, including official exceptions, before starting work. Tax registration is separate; confirm its exact procedure with the Australian Taxation Office before payroll.

Work

You can work during the permitted stay. The usual six-month restriction concerns the same employer, not total work. Check official exceptions before continuing with that employer.

Study

Study or training is limited to four months during this visa. Check the course length before enrolling.

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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.

Study or training is limited to four months during this visa. Check the course length before enrolling.

Other destinations to compare

Back to destinations for British citizens

Frequently asked questions

Does one application give three years?

No. First, second and third visas remain separate applications of up to twelve months each.

Is specified work required for later UK-passport applications?

The official UK arrangements remove that requirement for qualifying second/third applications lodged from 1 July2024 using the UK passport.

Does UK residence alone establish that exemption?

No. The passport used and the official application conditions matter.

Are AUD 5,000 a complete budget?

No. Guidance says usually aboutAUD 5,000 for initial costs, plus a departure ticket or money for it.

Is work limited to six months in total?

The usual restriction concerns the same employer, with official exceptions.

How long can I study?

Up to four months on this visa; check the course before paying.

Official sources

Source research includes checks from 16 and 18 October 2026. Check current requirements with the official government authority; individual check dates appear below.

AU-417 · Australian Home Affairs - first Working Holiday 417

Source checked: 2026-10-16. Check current requirements with the official government authority.

Read the official instructions ↗

AU-GB · Home Affairs - UK passport arrangements

Source checked: 2026-10-16. Check current requirements with the official government authority.

Read the official instructions ↗

GB-AU-18 · Home Affairs · UK passport arrangements

Source checked: 2026-10-18. Check current requirements with the official government authority.

Read the official instructions ↗