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417 vs 462 Working Holiday Visas 2026: Key Differences Explained
Australia's Working Holiday Maker program operates through two visa subclasses: the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462). Both support an extended holiday with incidental work, but eligibility settings differ.
Subclass 417
Subclass 417 is available to passport holders from designated countries and jurisdictions. The standard age range is 18 to 30, with an upper age of 35 for some participating countries.
Subclass 462
Subclass 462 applies to a different group of participating countries and has country-specific eligibility settings. In the 2026–27 program year, first-visa applicants from China, India and Vietnam are subject to a ballot process before they can lodge a first subclass 462 application.
What both visas have in common
Both subclasses generally provide a 12-month working holiday, permit work, limit study or training to 4 months, and are commonly subject to condition 8547 restricting work with one employer to 6 months unless an exemption or permission applies.
See our detailed Condition 8547 guide.
Second and third visas
Both subclasses can support second and third Working Holiday Maker visas for eligible applicants. The specified-work rules differ by subclass and country settings. UK passport holders have special subclass 417 arrangements that remove specified-work requirements for second and third visas for applications made from 1 July 2024.
