This checklist is for young professionals planning to apply for the Australian Work and Holiday visa (subclass 417 or 462).
If you did not read our previous article about How to get to Australia with a Work and Holiday visa, we recommend reading that first.
Let’s start!
1. Confirm the correct visa subclass
Subclass 417 and subclass 462 are different visas for different nationalities.
☐ Passport country eligible for subclass 417☐ Passport country eligible for subclass 462☐ Correct age limit confirmed for your nationality ☐ No dependent children or partner included in the application
2. Basic eligibility check
☐ Valid passport ☐ Education requirements met (subclass 462 only) ☐ Functional English requirement met or exemption confirmed (subclass 462 only) ☐ Sufficient funds available ☐ Health and character requirements likely meet
If any of these requirements are unclear, you can contact Tasman Visa.
3. Documents ready before starting
Every document that is not in English must have a certified translation.
Identity
☐ Passport scan is clear and complete ☐ Secondary identification scan is clear and complete
Funds
☐ Bank statements show the required balance ☐ Funds are accessible and in your name
Education (subclass 462 only)
☐ Degree, diploma, or transcripts meet country-specific requirements ☐ Certified copies prepared if required
English (subclass 462 only)
☐ Accepted English test or exemption confirmed ☐ Results valid at the time of lodgment
Character
☐ Police certificates ready if requested
Health
☐ Medical examination completed only if requested ☐ Approved panel physician used
4. Application preparation
☐ ImmiAccount created ☐ All information prepared before starting the application ☐ Supporting documents named and saved clearly
5. Application review before lodgment
☐ Correct visa subclass selected ☐ All answers accurate and consistent ☐ Documents uploaded to the correct sections ☐ Visa application charge ready ☐ Ready to submit
If you notice a mistake after submission, do not panic. You can correct or update information through your ImmiAccount.
6. Application review before lodgment
☐ Lodgment confirmation saved ☐ ImmiAccount messages monitored regularly ☐ Requests from Home Affairs answered promptly ☐ Travel not booked until the visa is granted
7. Visa grant review before entering Australia
☐ Visa grant notice saved ☐ Last entry date checked ☐ Visa conditions reviewed
Important
- Working Holiday visas are activated when you enter Australia, not when the visa is granted.
- In most cases, you have 12 months from the grant date to enter Australia.
- The 12-month stay starts on your first entry, not on the grant date.
Always check your grant notice.
8. During your stay in Australia
☐ Work limitation per employer understood ☐ Study limitation understood ☐ Visa expiry date tracked
Compliance with visa conditions is your responsibility.
☐ If working more than 6 months for the same employer, check whether an exemption applies or apply for permission to work there for longer than 6 months.
Official guidance:
6-month work limitation overview: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/specified-work-conditions/6-month-work-limitation
Permission to work longer than 6 months: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visa-conditions-subsite/Pages/permission-to-work-longer-than-6-months-with-one-employer.aspx
9. Second and third Working Holiday visas
Requirements for second and third Working Holiday visas vary by nationality, even within the same subclass.
Examples:
- UK passport holders do not need to complete specified work to apply for a second Working Holiday visa.
- Canadian citizens must complete specified work to apply for a second or third Working Holiday visa.
Official definitions of specified work:
Subclass 417: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/specified-work
Subclass 462: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462/specified-462-work
Update, 17 September 2026. A ballot has been announced for second and third year Working Holiday visas, with year two cut to 45,000 places and year three to around 5,000. The regional work requirement does not change. Nothing has commenced yet, and the dates are not published. What was announced, and what is still unknown.
When professional advice may be relevant
If you want to confirm how the Working Holiday visa rules apply to your situation, you can contact Tasman Visa.
