Australia working holiday visa for American citizens
What Australia asks of American 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.
Work and Holiday visa · subclass 462
Holiday in Australia for up to 12 months and work to fund your trip. Education and English requirements apply. Up to three visas in total.
Last checked by Travel Aid on 30 October 2026
Key facts for American citizens
- Ages
- 18 to 30
- 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.
What else you need with a United States passport
Education: Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (high school) or equivalent. English: met by holding a US passport. No government letter of support needed.
Good to know
First visa AUD 840 (unless exempt); second and third visas AUD 1,000. Apply before your 31st birthday in Australian Eastern time. Enter within 12 months of grant. Funds: usually about AUD 5,000 plus your onward fare. Some passports have annual caps on first visas; caps reset on 2 July. No dependent children at any time.
Second and third visas
88 days of specified work
Specified subclass 462 work: tourism and hospitality in Northern or Remote and Very Remote Australia; plant and animal cultivation and construction in Northern Australia and other specified regional areas; fishing, pearling, tree farming and felling in Northern Australia only; disaster recovery work in declared areas.
3 months (88 calendar days). No caps on second or third 462 visas. 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. Year-two ballot limited to 45,000 places across 417 and 462 combined. Needs legislation.
179 days of specified work
Specified subclass 462 work done on your second visa.
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.
What's changed
Proposed: second and third Australian work and 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)