Difference between 417 and 462: Which Working Holiday Visa Is Right for You

If you’re planning a Working Holiday adventure in Australia, you’ll need to choose between two visa types, Subclass 417 and Subclass 462.

Each visa is designed for young adults seeking to explore Australia, but they come with different eligibility criteria and conditions.

417 and 462 Visa Differences

417 Visa (Working Holiday)

The Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) is intended for young adults who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to three years.

To apply, you must:

Be 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) – except for Canadian, French and Irish citizens who can be 18 to 35 (inclusive) .
Hold a passport from an eligible country.
Be outside of Australia when applying for the first visa.
Do not have any dependent children during your stay.
Have sufficient funds (around AUD 5000) to support yourself initially.
Meet health and character requirements.
Hold adequate health insurance for your stay in Australia.

The visa allows for short-term work and study and provides the opportunity to apply for a second and third visa after completing specified work in regional areas.

462 Visa (Work and Holiday)

The Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) is similar to the Subclass 417 visa but has distinct eligibility criteria and participating countries.

To qualify, you must:

Be aged 18 to 30 (inclusive) and hold a passport from an eligible country.
Have completed at least the equivalent of two years of post-secondary education.
Meet the English language requirement (minimum IELTS score of 4.5 or equivalent).
Be outside of Australia when applying for the first visa.
Do not have any dependent children during your stay.
Have sufficient funds (around AUD 5000) to support yourself initially.
Meet health and character requirements.
Hold adequate health insurance for your stay in Australia.

This visa allows you to holiday and work in Australia for up to three years, with the option to apply for a second and third visa after completing specified work in regional areas.

	Subclass 417 (Working Holiday Visa)	Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday Visa)
Age Requirement	18 to 30 years (35 for Canadian, French, and Irish citizens)	18 to 30 years
Eligible Countries	Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, UK	Argentina, Austria, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uruguay, Vietnam
Education Requirement	No specific educational qualifications required	Must have completed at least two years of post-secondary education
English Language Requirement	No requirement	Must demonstrate functional English. IELTS or equivalent score of 4.5
Letter of Support	Not required	Required from the government of origin (except for US citizens)
Duration of Stay	Up to 12 months; can apply for a second and third year after specified work in regional areas	Up to 12 months; can apply for a second and third year after specified work in regional areas
Specified Work for Extension	Complete three months of specified work in regional Australia while on your first visa. Six months of specified work in regional Australia while on your second visa.	Complete three months of specified work in northern or regional Australia while on your first Work and Holiday visa. Six months of specified work while on your second Work and Holiday visa.
Work Restrictions	Work up to six months with one employer. Allowing for a total of up to 18 months of work over the course of three visas.	Work up to six months with one employer. Allowing for a total of up to 18 months of work over the course of three visas.
Study Restrictions	Study for up to 4 months on each visa, potentially allowing for a total of up to 12 months of study over the course of three visas.	Study for up to 4 months on each visa, potentially allowing for a total of up to 12 months of study over the course of three visas.
Health Insurance Requirement	Required	Required

Choosing the Right Visa for You

The choice between 417 Visa and 462 Visa depends on your nationality and age. Here’s an easy guide to help you make the right decision:

417 Visa: If you’re from the UK, Canada, Germany, or another eligible country for this visa and you’re within the age range (or eligible for the extended age limit), 417 Visa is your go-to option. It’s the more widely available choice for many travellers.
462 Visa: If you’re a citizen of the United States, Turkey, or one of the eligible nations for this visa, and you’re within the age range (or eligible for the extended age limit), then 462 Visa is the one for you. It’s tailored to specific countries and offers unique opportunities.

Whichever you decide, both visas offer a fantastic chance to explore Australia while working and immersing yourself in the culture of this beautiful country.