Working Holiday Maker Visa (SC417/462) Changes: New Age Limits & Requirements (1 July 2026)
As of 1 July 2026, the Australian government has introduced two changes to the Working Holiday Maker program. These updates affect both Working Holiday (Subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visas. If you are planning to travel and work in Australia, learn these new rules regarding age and application validity, as they might affect your plans.
Working Holiday Maker Visas (Subclass 417 & 462) Age Criteria
The most important technical change is the relocation of the age criteria from Schedule 2 to Schedule 1 of the Migration Regulations 1994 for both Working Holiday (SC417) and Work and Holiday (SC462) visas.
Previously, the age requirement was checked during your visa assessment. With the current changes, the age limit is now a visa eligibility requirement.
You must meet the age requirement at the exact moment you lodge your application. So, it is important to apply for SC417/SC462 before your birthday if you are reaching the upper age limit.
If you apply after the age limit, your application will be considered invalid. This also means that your application was never made. The Department will not even review your documents; they will simply return the application.
Age Limit Increased to 35 for Specific Countries
In addition to the changes above, there is good news for citizens of 4 specific countries. Due to new bilateral agreements, the maximum age limit for the SC417 visa has been increased from 30 to 35 years old. This change applies to passport holders from:
Cyprus
Finland
Germany
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Starting 1 July, if you are a citizen of one of these countries, you can lodge an application for an SC417 visa up until the day before your 36th birthday.
Summary of SC417/492 Age Limits
Always check the specific agreement for your country, as the age limit can vary.
Working Holiday (Subclass 417) Visa
Individuals aged 18 – 35 years for SC417:
Canada
France
Ireland
UK
Denmark
Italy
Cyprus
Finland
Germany
South Korea
Most other eligible countries for SC417 are limited to those aged 18 to 30 years.
Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa
Individuals aged 18 to 30 years for SC462:
USA
Argentina
Chile
Portugal
and others.
A tip for visa applicants is to not wait until the night of your birthday to submit your application. If there is a technical issue or a delay and the application is lodged after your birthday, it will be invalid.
Related: Why Does ‘Decision-Ready’ Application Matter?
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How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
If you are unsure about your eligibility or need assistance with a 2nd or 3rd year WHM visa, reach out to speak with one of our immigration lawyers for professional advice and guidance. At Agape Henry Crux, our team of immigration lawyers work together with our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can book a consultation with one of our lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English and Mandarin. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
Our founder and principal lawyer, Jason Ling, is recognised in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™ and the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™. Agape Henry Crux is named as Best Immigration Law Firm 2025 - Sydney by APAC Insider Awards and in the 2027 edition of The Best Law Firms™ - Australia.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.
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