Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience by packing your bags and putting away your sunhat! The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Visa from Australia is your passport to kangaroos, koalas, and good income! Imagine yourself growing grapes in the undulating vineyards of South Australia one day, and then enjoying a flat white at a hip café in Melbourne the next. With this visa, you may earn some money to pay for your travels while working, exploring, and taking in everything that Australia has to offer!
This WHM program is about more than just work; it’s about surfing on Bondi Beach, exploring the untamed Outback, creating lifetime friendships, and finding hidden treasures all around the nation. But wait—before you start picturing road trips and beach bonfires, let’s discuss who is eligible, what occupations are permitted, and the most recent information on visa vacancies for 2025.
What is the Australian Working Holiday Visa?
Australia’s doing Holiday Visa is a short-term visa that allows young tourists to visit the nation while doing part-time jobs to support themselves. There are two visa subclasses within the program:
- Subclass 417 – Working Holiday Visa
- Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday Visa
For a maximum of 12 months, the program permits qualified applicants to live, work, and travel in Australia. Participants may apply for a second or third visa extension after completing specific activities, such as construction, hospitality, or agricultural jobs in selected regions, depending on the type of visa and the country of origin.
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Latest Updates on the Working Holiday Maker Program (WHM)
Australia is imposing an annual cap on the number of first-time Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visas awarded to applicants from specific countries this year, from July 1 to June 30, 2025. The second and third visas have no cap. Therefore, applications are either paused or closed until the start of the new program year on July 1, 2025, if the cap for a particular country is met.
Purpose & Duration of the Visa
The purpose of the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Visa is to enhance Australia’s bilateral ties with qualifying nations and encourage cross-cultural engagement. It provides young tourists with the opportunity to experience working abroad while touring Australia.
Visa Duration & Extensions:
- Standard Duration: 12 months
- Extension Options: By fulfilling particular job requirements in sectors like construction, hospitality, or agriculture in selected areas, eligible applicants can prolong their stay for a second or third year.
Occupations Allowed Under the WHM Visa
Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Visa holders are permitted to work temporarily in a variety of Australian sectors. Among the most prevalent professions that qualify are:
1. Agriculture & Farming
Fruit picking & harvesting
Working on cattle stations
General farm labor
2. Hospitality & Tourism
Jobs in hotels, restaurants, and bars
Event management and catering
Tour guiding & customer service
3. Construction & Trade
Skilled & unskilled labor jobs
Assisting in building projects
Painting, plumbing, and electrical work
4. Health & Aged Care
Support roles in hospitals
Aged care assistance
Disability support work
5. Retail & Sales
Customer service in shops & supermarkets
Sales assistant roles
Cashier and stock handling jobs
6. Office Administration
Entry-level clerical & admin jobs
Data entry & receptionist roles
General office support
List of Countries Where Applications Are Open in 2025 for WHM Visa
The current application status for each participating nation is shown in the following table:
| Country | Status | Annual Grant Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Open | 3,400 |
| Austria | Open | 500 |
| Brazil | Closed | 500 |
| Chile | Open | 3,400 |
| China | Ballot System | 5,000 |
| Czech Republic | Open | 500 |
| Ecuador | Closed | 100 |
| Greece | Open | 500 |
| Hungary | Open | 500 |
| India | Ballot System | 1,000 |
| Indonesia | Open | 4,796 |
| Israel | Open | 2,500 |
| Luxembourg | Open | 100 |
| Malaysia | Paused | 1,100 |
| Mongolia | Closed | 100 |
| Papua New Guinea | Open | 100 |
| Peru | Open | 1,500 |
| Poland | Open | 1,500 |
| Portugal | Closed | 500 |
| San Marino | Open | 100 |
| Singapore | Open | 2,500 |
| Slovak Republic | Open | 1,000 |
| Slovenia | Open | 200 |
| Spain | Closed | 3,400 |
| Switzerland | Closed | 200 |
| Thailand | Closed | 2,000 |
| Türkiye | Open | 100 |
| Uruguay | Closed | 200 |
| Vietnam | Ballot System | 1,500 |
Conclusion:
With the possibility of extensions based on certain job requirements, the WHM Visa permits young visitors to work and tour Australia for a maximum of 12 months.
Fequently ASked Auestions
What is the Australian Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Visa?
Young visitors may work and travel across Australia for a maximum of 12 months with the WHM Visa; extensions may be possible based on particular workplace circumstances.
What are the two visa subclasses under the WHM program?
Subclass 417 – Working Holiday Visa
Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday Visa
