Update (October 2026)
This article reports changes announced in 2022 as Australia’s border reopened. Working holiday arrangements, including age limits, annual caps and participating countries, are reviewed regularly and have changed since. The 6 month limit on working for one employer (condition 8547) still applies, but work in a range of sectors and situations is exempt without needing permission; see our Work beyond 6 months on Working Holiday visa article. For current requirements, see our Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) pages.
The Australian Government and the Department of Home Affairs have made several changes to the Working Holiday Maker Visa to promote post-COVID-19 recovery in the tourism and trade sectors. The following changes have been announced:
Italy and Denmark: Age Limit Increase
From 1 July 2022, the age limit will increase from 30 to 35 years of age for Italian and Danish citizens. Australia also benefits from this in a reciprocal arrangement, where Australian citizens can apply for working holiday visas in Italy and Denmark up to the age of 35. This has previously been announced for the United Kingdom. It will provide Australia with additional international workers to address labour shortages.
Hungary, Austria and the Slovak Republic: Cap Increases
For 2022-2023, a 30% increase in places available to nationals from Hungary, Austria and the Slovak Republic will be introduced. In addition, 1,400 more places will be available each year for citizens of Hungary, Austria, and the Slovak Republic on a Working Holiday Maker visa. This is a reciprocal arrangement and therefore also applies to Australian citizens travelling to those countries.
Brazil and Mongolia: New Reciprocal Arrangements
Australia recently signed two new agreements with Brazil and Mongolia to facilitate reciprocal Work and Holiday arrangements. This will assist all countries involved to re-build their economies following COVID-19 and it also expands the number of countries that are participants in the Work and Holiday Maker Program to 47 in total.
Australia’s Work and Holiday Maker Program is a popular visa arrangement for international workers and travellers. Due to COVID-19 there has been a significant reduction in Work and Holiday Visa Holders because of border closures and restrictions. Since 22 November 2021, the reopening of Australia’s borders has reignited the Work and Holiday Maker Program and 51,000 working holiday maker visas have been granted and over 14,000 working holiday makers have arrived in Australia.
What this means in 2026
The 2022 changes in this article have all taken effect, and the Working Holiday Maker program is now well past its COVID-19 recovery phase. Here is where each change stands in 2026.
| 2022 change | Where it stands in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Italy and Denmark: age limit raised to 35 | In place. Italian and Danish citizens can apply for a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa up to age 35, alongside other countries with the higher limit such as Canada, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom. |
| Hungary, Austria and the Slovak Republic: more places | These countries are in the capped Work and Holiday (subclass 462) program. Caps are set each program year from 1 July, so check the current cap before you apply. |
| Brazil and Mongolia: new 462 arrangements | Both arrangements now operate, with annual caps of 500 places for Brazil and 100 for Mongolia. In October 2026, first 462 applications for both countries were paused because demand was close to the caps. A paused cap can reopen during the program year; second and third 462 visas are not capped. |
Who this affects now
If you are from a capped 462 country, timing matters: places can run out or be paused part way through the year, so prepare your documents early and apply as soon as the program opens for your country. If you are already in Australia on a 417 or 462 visa, the usual rules apply: 88 days of specified work for a second visa, 6 months for a third (UK citizens are exempt from specified work since 1 July 2024), and generally no more than 6 months with one employer unless an exemption applies.
In September 2026 the Government also announced a proposed ballot for second and third year visas (about 45,000 and 5,000 places). As at November 2026 it needs new regulations and has no start date, so the current rules continue for now.
Next steps
- Confirm your country, age limit and whether your country is in the 417 or 462 program.
- For 462 countries, check the cap status and the extra education, English and support letter requirements.
- Keep payslips and records of any specified work if you may want a second or third visa.
- Check the current visa charge before lodging.
Read more: Working Holiday visa (subclass 417), Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), working beyond 6 months and visa charges from 1 July 2026. For advice on staying longer, book a consultation.
Related guides
- Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
- Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
- Changes to Working Holiday Maker Visas Affected by COVID-19
- Working Holiday Visas will Increase for UK and Australians up to the Age of 35
- Work Beyond 6 Months on Working Holiday Visa
- Visa Flexibility for Working Holiday Makers Supporting Critical Sectors
- Visa application charges from 1 July 2026
- Book a consultation
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