Working Holiday Maker Program Updates - Age Limits and Processing Changes
Home Affairs has updated eligibility rules for several countries and is experiencing longer processing times for Working Holiday visas due to high application volumes.
Official source ↗Home Affairs is currently processing a high volume of Working Holiday (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applications, which means your application may take longer than usual to be finalised. Do not book travel to Australia until you receive written confirmation that your visa has been granted. You can check your application status anytime through ImmiAccount.
From 1 July 2026, passport holders from Cyprus, Finland, Germany, and the Republic of Korea can apply for a Working Holiday visa up to age 35 (previously different age limits may have applied). Eligible applicants can lodge their application up to 11:59 pm AEST on the day before their 36th birthday.
Other changes coming into effect include: Uruguay's Work and Holiday visa cap is increasing to 1,500 visas per program year from 1 July 2026, and from 3 June 2026, Luxembourg passport holders no longer need to provide a Letter of Support with their Work and Holiday application.
For the most current information on the Work and Holiday ballot process for China, India, and Vietnam, visit Home Affairs' official website.