Australia working holiday visa for German citizens
What Australia asks of German citizens on a working holiday, taken from the official rules. Only the facts the government page states are shown.
Travel Aid isn’t legal advice and can’t confirm that you’re eligible or that you’ll get a visa. Rules change, so always check the official government page before you apply.
Working Holiday visa · subclass 417
Holiday in Australia for up to 12 months and work to fund your trip. Up to three visas in total.
Last checked by Travel Aid on 30 October 2026
Key facts for German citizens
- Ages
- 18 to 35
- Length of stay
- Up to 12 months
- Times you can get this visa
- Up to 3 times
- Cost
- AUD 840
- Where to apply from
- Outside Australia
- Processing time
- Home Affairs says average processing is around three months. Do not book travel until the visa is granted.
Good to know
First visa AUD 840; second and third visas AUD 1,000. Apply before your 31st (or 36th) birthday in Australian Eastern time. Enter within 12 months of grant. Funds: usually about AUD 5,000 plus your onward fare. You cannot include family, and dependent children cannot be with you in Australia at any time. Usually max 6 months with one employer; study up to 4 months.
Second and third visas
88 days of specified work
Specified subclass 417 work: work in an approved industry and an eligible postcode, as listed on the Home Affairs specified work page. Must be paid at the correct legal wage. Volunteer recovery work in declared bushfire or natural-disaster areas can also count.
"3 months" = 88 calendar days, counting the same number of normal work days as a full-time worker. Cost AUD 1,000.
Eligible areas and work (opens in a new tab)88 days of specified work
Ballot (45,000 places)
Same specified work as now; completing it would only qualify you to enter a ballot.
PROPOSED, not law. Announced by the Home Affairs Minister on 17 Sep 2026; he said it needs legislation. Year-two ballot limited to 45,000 places across 417 and 462 combined. Unclear whether UK passport holders (exempt from regional work) would be in the ballot.
179 days of specified work
Specified subclass 417 work done on your second visa, after 1 July 2019.
"6 months" = 179 calendar days. Cost AUD 1,000.
Eligible areas and work (opens in a new tab)179 days of specified work
Ballot (5,000 places)
Same specified work as now; completing it would only qualify you to enter a ballot.
PROPOSED, not law. Year-three ballot limited to 5,000 places across 417 and 462 combined. Needs legislation. Unclear how UK passport holders would be treated.
What's changed
Proposed: second and third Australian working holiday visas would move to a ballot (45,000 and 5,000 places). Regional work would still be needed to enter. Not law yet.
Announced 17 September 2026 · Source (opens in a new tab)
UK passport holders no longer need specified (regional) work for a second or third 417 visa.
Effective 1 July 2024 · Source (opens in a new tab)