Working Holiday Visa: Do You Really Need a Migration Agent?

Australia has two Working Holiday visas:

Subclass 417 — Working Holiday Visa For passport holders from countries like the UK, Ireland, Canada, Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, and others. You must be 18–35 (or 18–30 for some countries) and not have dependent children.

Subclass 462 — Work and Holiday Visa For passport holders from countries like the USA, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Argentina, and others. Same age requirements, but you also need to meet functional English requirements and may need a letter of government support.

Both visas let you work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months, with the possibility of extending for a second and third year if you do specified regional work. Learn more about the Working Holiday Visa.

The Working Holiday Visa application is one of the simplest in Australia's visa system. You can probably handle it yourself if:

• - You meet all the basic requirements — Right passport, right age, no dependent children
• - You have no health issues — No conditions that might require additional medical assessments
• - You have no character concerns — No criminal record, no previous visa cancellations
• - You haven't been refused an Australian visa before — Previous refusals complicate things
• - You're comfortable with online forms — The application is done through ImmiAccount

The online application takes about an hour. You'll need your passport, a credit card for the application fee ($640), and possibly health insurance details. Many applicants receive their visa within days or even hours.

For a quick overview of your options, try our visa quiz.

Even for a "simple" visa, some situations warrant professional help:

### Health Issues If you have a medical condition that might trigger a health requirement, an agent can advise on how to handle the health examination process and whether your condition might affect your visa.

### Character Concerns Have a criminal record, even a minor one? This can get complicated fast. An agent can advise on what needs to be disclosed and how to present your case.

### Previous Visa Refusal or Cancellation If you've had an Australian visa refused or cancelled, your Working Holiday application will receive extra scrutiny. An agent can help you address the reasons for the previous decision.

### Subclass 462 Complications The 462 has additional requirements that the 417 doesn't — functional English evidence and sometimes a letter of government support. If you're unsure about meeting these, an agent can help.

### Second or Third Year Extensions Applying for your second or third Working Holiday visa requires proof of specified regional work. If your documentation isn't clear (lost payslips, informal work arrangements), an agent can help compile the evidence.

### You Want to Transition to Another Visa If you're planning to use your Working Holiday as a stepping stone to a skilled visa or employer-sponsored visa, an agent can help you plan the transition strategy from the start.

If you do decide to use an agent, expect to pay:

• - $500–$1,500 for a straightforward first Working Holiday application
• - $800–$2,000 if there are complications (health, character, previous refusals)
• - $500–$1,000 for second/third year extension applications

On top of this, you'll pay the government application fee of $640.

Given the visa itself is relatively straightforward, paying $1,000+ for an agent might not be the best use of your money. That said, if you have complications, the cost of getting it wrong (a refusal on your record) far outweighs the agent's fee.

For a personalised estimate, try our cost estimator. For a deeper dive into agent fees generally, read our cost guide.

If you're going it alone, here are some tips:

1. Apply through ImmiAccount — This is the official system. Don't use third-party websites that charge a premium for the same thing
2. Answer honestly — Don't omit health conditions or character issues. The Department can find out, and dishonesty is worse than the underlying issue
3. Get your health insurance sorted — While not always mandatory, it's strongly recommended and some nationalities require it
4. Apply early — Processing is usually fast, but don't leave it to the last minute
5. Check passport validity — Your passport should be valid for the duration of your intended stay
6. Read the visa conditions carefully — Understand the work limitations (6 months with one employer) and study limitations
7. Keep your documents — If you plan to apply for a second year, start keeping payslips and employment evidence from day one

Many people use a Working Holiday as their introduction to Australia, then decide they want to stay longer. If that's you, think about your options early:

• - Skilled visa pathways — If you're in a skilled occupation, the 189 or 190 might be options
• - Employer sponsorship — If your employer wants to keep you, an employer-sponsored visa could work
• - [Student visa](/visa/student-visa) — Further study can keep you in Australia and lead to other visa pathways
• - [Partner visa](/visa/partner-visa) — If you meet an Australian partner

This is where an agent becomes genuinely valuable. Planning a transition strategy is more complex than the Working Holiday application itself. Find an agent who can help you think long-term.