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Planning a working holiday to Australia requires obtaining the appropriate visa. While Australia offers two visa programs, namely the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462), it’s important to understand their differences and eligibility criteria.
Keep up with the overview of the distinctions between these visas, shedding light on the varying requirements and opportunities they offer.
Eligibility Criteria:
The primary distinction between the Working Holiday Visa (417) and the Work and Holiday Visa (462) lies in their eligibility criteria:
1º Language and Education Requirements:
The Work and Holiday Visa (462) mandates applicants to meet specific English language and education requirements, usually at the tertiary level. On the other hand, the Working Holiday Visa (417) does not have these prerequisites.
2º Letter of Support:
Applicants for the Work and Holiday Visa (462) (excluding the USA) are required to provide a letter of support from their home government. However, this requirement is not applicable to the Working Holiday Visa (417).
3º Nationality:
One significant distinction between the two visa subclasses lies in their eligible country lists. Each visa program has its own specific set of countries from which applicants can apply.
Check them below:
Eligible Countries for Work and Holiday Visa (462)
- Argentina
- Austria
- Brazil
- Chile
- China
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- Greece
- Hungary
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Mongolia
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Türkiye
- Uruguay
- United States of America
- Vietnam
Eligible Countries for Working Holiday Visa (417)
- Belgium
- Canada
- Republic of Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders)
- Republic of Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport)
- The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Duration and Processing Time:
- Working Holiday Visa (417): Allows a stay of up to 12 months in Australia and is typically processed within 44 days, depending on application submission dates and border closures.
- Work and Holiday Visa (462): This also allows a 12-month stay in Australia, but processing times for this visa tend to be longer, with most applicants receiving their visas within approximately eight months.
Work Opportunities:
- Working Holiday Visa (417): Visa holders can engage in short-term work to support their holiday expenses, pursue studies for up to four months, and potentially extend their stay by completing three months of specified work to become eligible for a second or third visa. The specified work includes sectors such as tourism and hospitality, plant and animal cultivation, fishing, construction, and more.
- Work and Holiday Visa (462): Holders of this visa can engage in short-term work to fund their holiday, study for up to four months, and become eligible for a second Work and Holiday visa by completing three months (six months for a second visa) of specified subclass 462 work. The specified work includes sectors such as tourism and hospitality in northern and remote Australia, plant, and animal cultivation in northern and regional areas, fishing, construction, and COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors.
By considering the differences in duration, work opportunities, processing times, and eligibility requirements between the Working Holiday Visa (417) and the Work and Holiday Visa (462), you can make informed decisions based on their specific preferences and circumstances when planning their Australian working holiday experience.
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