How this Visa Works

The main purpose of this visa is to allow you to have an extended holiday while supplementing your funds with short-term work in Australia.

Visa validity

Any time spent outside Australia while on your first or second Working Holiday visa does not extend the length of the visa.

First Working Holiday visa

If you are granted your first Working Holiday visa you can:

• enter Australia within 12 months of grant (this cannot be extended or deferred)
• stay up to 12 months
• leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid
• work in Australia for up to six months with each employer
• study for up to four months.

Second Working Holiday visa

The table below outlines how long you can stay in Australia if you are granted a second Working Holiday visa, depending on your circumstances at the time of application.

When you applied	If granted a second Working Holiday visa
You are in Australia, and hold a first Working Holiday visa	You can remain in Australia for 24 months from the date you first entered Australia on your first Working Holiday visa
You are in Australia, but do not currently hold a first Working Holiday visa	You can remain in Australia for 12 months from the date your second Working Holiday visa is granted
You are outside Australia	You can: travel to Australia at any time in the 12 months from the date your second Working Holiday visa is granted (this cannot be extended or deferred) stay in Australia for 12 months from the date you first enter the country on your second Working Holiday visa.

Working

You can do any kind of work in Australia. However, you can only work with the same employer for up to six months.

If your main reason for coming to Australia is to work you should consider applying for a visa intended for work purposes, such as a business visa.
See: Workers

Studying

You can study for a maximum of four months.

If you are considering studying in Australia, particularly for a longer period of time, it may be helpful to check if there is a student visa option that is more suitable to your needs.
See:
Student Visa Options
Studying in Australia

Extending your stay

You must depart Australia when your visa ends unless you apply for another visa to extend your stay.

If your Working Holiday visa ends and you have not departed Australia or applied for another visa you risk being detained and removed from Australia. You may also be subject to a period of exclusion from Australia.

If you are in Australia and your visa has expired you should contact the department to regularise your status.
See: Expired Visas

A first Working Holiday visa cannot be extended beyond the 12 month validity period. However, if you have completed three months of specified work in regional Australia on your first Working Holiday visa you may be eligible to apply for a second Working Holiday visa.
See: Second Working Holiday visa eligibility

There are other visa options for remaining temporarily or permanently in Australia at the end of your working holiday. However, your eligibility depends on your circumstances and intentions.

Note: If you apply for a Tourist visa while in Australia on a Working Holiday visa it can only be granted in exceptional circumstances, such as being unfit to travel.
See: Tourists

Once you leave Australia you may be eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).
See: Tourists