The opportunity to travel across Australia and earning money is a goal for many teenagers. This visa, known as the Work and Travel Visa Australia also known in the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) offers young people from countries with a visa requirement the chance to travel, work and gain experience abroad and travel around Australia for a period of up to a year.
This visa is very popular for students, recent graduates as well as freelancers, gap-year travellers and professionals in their early years who wish to travel cheaply and meet people from various cultures, and gain work knowledge.
This comprehensive guide will cover everything you should know, including:
- Eligibility
- Requirements
- Documents
- Step-by-step guide
- Processing times and fees for Visas
- Opportunities for employment
- Expectations for Salary
- Regional work in order to get visa extensions
- Cities to live in and explore
- Benefits
- FAQs
- Plus StepSmith assistance
Let’s begin!
What is the Work and Travel Visa Australia?
This Work and Travel Visa Australia lets young adults (usually between the ages of 18-30) to:
- Legally work in Australia
- All states are open to travel
- Short courses to study
- Then extend their stay for an additional year and a third
It’s designed to encourage the exchange of culture and allows tourists to pay for their travels through temporary jobs.
There are two major subclasses of visas:
1. Subclass 417 – Working Holiday Visa
For applicants from certain countries of the partner program (e.g., UK, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Taiwan, etc. ).
2. Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday Visa
For applicants from other countries (including India in newer pathways).
This visa is perfect for:
- Exploring while working
- International exposure and recognition
- Global connections
- Improve your career profile
- A break from studying or working (Gap Year)
Who Can Apply for This Visa? (Target Audience)
This Work and Travel Visa is perfect for:
- Students at the university taking breaks
- Young professionals seeking international work experience
- Remote workers and freelancers
- Gap-year travelers
- Recent graduates who want to gain global experience
- Adventure lover
If you are looking for an equal amount of travel, work and pleasure This visa is among the best choices.
Eligibility Criteria for Work and Travel Visa Australia
In order to be eligible in subclasses 417 and 462, you must meet the following requirements for the Work and Travel Visa Australia, one of the most popular options under the Australia visa for Indians.
Age Requirement
- Typically, 18–30 years old
- For certain nations (e.g., Canada, France, Ireland): 18–35 years old
Nationality
You must have a valid passport from a nation that is eligible.
Financial Funds
You need to show evidence of at least:
- AUD $5,000 in your bank account
(This proves you can support yourself until you start working.)
Return Ticket or Extra Funds
Either:
- A return flight ticket OR
- Extra funds to cover your return journey
Character Requirements
- No criminal record
- Police clearance certificate is required
Health Requirements
You may need:
- Medical exam
- Chest X-ray
- Health insurance (recommended)
English Language
For Subclass 462 (some countries), you may require basic English proficiency such as IELTS or an equivalent.
Qualification Requirement
Some nationals applying under Subclass 462 must show academic credentials (secondary school or diploma). This is common for those also exploring Australia student visa pathways later.
Documents Required for Work and Travel Visa Australia
Here’s the complete checklist:
Identity Documents
- Valid passport
- Passport-size photographs
Financial Documents
- Bank statements showing AUD $5,000
- Return ticket or extra funds
Character Documents
- Police clearance certificate
Educational Papers (if required)
- High school diploma
- Degree or diploma certificate
Health Documents
- Medical report
- Chest X-ray (if needed)
Additional Documents
- Travel history (if required)
- English Test result (Subclass 462 only)
Application Process – Step-by-Step Guide
This process is simple and fully online.
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Confirm age, passport, and financial requirements for the Work and Travel Visa Australia.
Step 2: Collect All Required Documents
Scan passport, bank statements, education certificates, etc.
Step 3: Create an ImmiAccount
Register and log in to the official Australian immigration portal.
Step 4: Start Your Visa Application
Choose subclass 417 or 462 and fill in your details.
Step 5: Upload Your Documents
Submit all scanned documents.
Step 6: Pay Visa Fee
Visa fee: approx. AUD $635
Step 7: Attend a Medical Examination (If Needed)
You will receive a HAP ID for medical tests.
Step 8: Visa Processing
Processing time: 2 to 8 weeks.
Step 9: Receive Visa Grant Letter
You’ll get the visa grant number and conditions via email.
Step 10: Fly to Australia
Begin your work and travel visa australia journey!
Job Opportunities Under Work and Travel Visa
You can work full-time, part-time, or casual.
Popular Job Categories
Hospitality & Tourism
- Café staff
- Barista
- Bartender
- Waiter/waitress
- Hotel receptionist
- Kitchen assistant
Retail & Customer Service
- Store assistant
- Cashier
- Sales associate
Agriculture & Farm Work
- Fruit picker
- Harvester
- Packer
- Livestock handler
Construction
- Labourer
- Site aide (White card required)
Office Jobs
- Admin support
- Data entry
- Customer service assistant
Delivery & Logistics
- Delivery driver
- Warehouse worker
Childcare
- Nanny (Au Pair)
- Babysitter
Seasonal Jobs
- Ski resort staff
- Summer camp staff
- Adventure park staff
Salary Expectations in Australia
Australia has one of the highest minimum wages globally.
Minimum Wage (2025)
AUD $23.23 per hour
Average Pay Ranges
- Hospitality: $25–$30/hour
- Retail: $25–$28/hour
- Construction: $30–$35/hour
- Farm work: $24–$28/hour
- Office jobs: $28–$35/hour
Some roles offer free meals, free accommodation, and weekend bonuses.
Visa Extension (2nd & 3rd Year Working Holiday)
2nd Year Extension
Complete 88 days of regional work.
3rd Year Extension
Complete 6 months of eligible work during your second-year visa.
Eligible Regional Jobs
- Harvesting
- Farm work
- Fishing
- Mining
- Regional construction
- Bushfire recovery work
This allows you to stay up to 3 years.
Top Cities to Live & Travel
- Sydney – beaches, opera house, hospitality jobs
- Melbourne – culture, food, sports
- Brisbane – student-friendly, warm
- Gold Coast – surfing, tourism jobs
- Perth – calm lifestyle
- Adelaide – affordable, farm jobs
- Cairns – adventure jobs, Great Barrier Reef
Benefits of Work and Travel Visa Australia
- Earn while you travel
- Multiple job opportunities
- World-class destinations
- International work experience
- Stay up to 3 years
- Cultural exchange
- Study up to 4 months
- Potential PR pathways (linked with Australia PR visa requirements)
- High living standards
FAQs
What is the maximum age for this visa?
18–30 (most nations),
18–35 (Canada, France, Ireland)
Can my family join me?
No, this visa is for individuals.
Can I study?
Yes, up to 4 months (similar to Australia student visa short study rules).
How long can I stay?
Up to 12 months, extendable to 3 years.
How much money must I show?
Minimum AUD $5,000 + return travel funds.
What jobs can I do?
Hospitality, retail, office jobs, construction, farm work, seasonal jobs.
Is insurance required?
Highly recommended.
Processing time?
2–8 weeks.
Can I change jobs?
Yes.
Can this lead to PR?
Indirectly, through skilled visas meeting Australia PR visa requirements.
Conclusion
The Work and Travel Visa Australia is one of the best opportunities for young people to explore Australia’s lifestyle, culture, and work environment. You can travel freely, earn well, make global friends, and gain international experience. With options like Australia visa for Indians growing in demand, this visa is becoming even more popular.
If you need expert help, StepSmith is one of the best immigration consulting firms in India. StepSmith offers full support for documentation, visa filing, job guidance, and smooth processing.
