The Difference Between A Subclass 417 Visa And A Subclass 462 Visa

The main difference between the two visas is that the 417 visa has no cap on how many are granted per year, but the work and holiday visa (subclass 462) does. The 462 visa also has additional educational and language requirements that the 417 visa doesn’t. 

Countries That Are Eligible For A 417 Visa

You have to be a citizen and a valid passport holder (with at least one year left until renewal) from one of the following countries to apply for a working holiday visa (subclass 417) in Australia:

- United Kingdom

- Canada

- Netherlands

- Ireland

- Sweden

- Denmark

- Norway

- Finland

- Japan

- Germany

- Italy

- France

- Malta

- South Korea

- Hong Kong

- Taiwan

- Belgium

- Estonia

- Cyprus

Age Requirements

You need to be between the ages of 18-30 years (35 if you are a Canadian or Irish citizen) to apply.

Character Requirements

You can’t have a substantial criminal record and you may have to provide supporting character documents to prove this. In some cases, an overseas police certificate is required from every country, including your home country, where you have spent more than 12 months in the last 10 years.

Financial Requirements

You may need to show sufficient funds in your bank account that proves that you can support yourself during the first part of your stay in Australia and that you have enough money for a return ticket home. Proof of this to immigration officials can include a certified copy of your bank statement, and an air ticket out of Australia. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) regards a sufficient amount as AUD 5000, however, this amount can vary depending on the nature of your travel.

Health Requirements

You’ll need to meet certain health criteria and in some cases undergo a Medical Examination. You can find more information about the health criteria here.

How To Apply For A Second & Third Year Visa

You can qualify for a second & third-year visa after working for a minimum of 88 days doing specified work. Specified work is any work in a specified industry in a designated regional area. For working holiday visa (subclass 417) holders, specified fields include plant & animal cultivation, fishing & pearling, tree farming & felling, mining, and construction. You can find more information on what specific work you can do to apply for a second working holiday visa (subclass 417) here.

How To Calculate 88 Days

To meet the 88-day requirement you don’t actually have to work a full 88 days, rather, you will need to work for the same amount of time that a full-time employee would normally work in a 3 month period. Make sure to read our in-depth guide for a more detailed look into calculating 88 days of work.

How To Apply

To apply for a working holiday visa (subclass 417) click here. 

You will need to create an ImmiAccount. Once you do and you log in, you can fill out and submit your application. The 417 visa costs AUD 450. According to the Department of Home Affairs, 90% of subclass 417 applications take 77 days to process.

Acceptance Rate

As of December 2018, there were 145,479 working holiday visa holders under both subclasses (417 & 462) in Australia with 115,547 new applications being approved in the 6 month period leading up to December 2018. There is an acceptance rate of almost 99% for first-time visa applicants.

Important Things To Note After Entering Australia

Here are some other important things to consider once you have entered the country.

You Will Need A TFN

Once you are in Australia you will need a Tax File Number to start working. Apply for one here.

You Cannot Stay With One Employer For More Than 6 Months

Working at the same place for more than 6 months without prior written permission from the Secretary is prohibited. However, you can work for the same employer for more than 6 months if you’ll be working in a different location. Additionally, plant & animal cultivation workers and certain industries in Northern Australia are exempt from the 6-month rule. 

You Will Need To File A Tax Return

If your taxable income is over AUD 37,000 for the year, then you will need to file an income tax return. You can learn more about that here.

Collect Your Superannuation

If your monthly wages are over AUD 450, your employer must contribute an amount equal to 9% of your wage into a superannuation account. As a working holiday visa holder, you should be aware of these contributions. Ask your employer to view your superannuation account. You will be able to access these funds upon leaving the country.