Working holiday in Australia
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Australia Working Holiday Visa
for Papua New Guinean citizens

Visa snapshot

Eligible age
18-30
At application
Initial stay
12 mo
From grant
Maximum stay
12 mo
With extensions
Visa fee
$840
AUD
Processing time
2-4 weeks
Typical

Work and study

Work rights
Any kind of work; usually max 6 months with the same employer. Tax + superannuation apply.
Study rights
Study up to 4 months (17 weeks)

Funds and health

Funds required
~AUD 5,000 + onward fare
Health and insurance
Must meet health requirements. May need to undergo a medical examination
Health and insurance details →

Extensions

Further stay
Available, conditions apply

Quota or ballot

Allocation
Cap 100
No ballot

Reciprocal healthcare

Agreement in place
No
Private health insurance needed
Government sourceSource: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au · How we verify →
On this page

Eligibility at a glance

  • Passport: This route is for Papua New Guinean citizens, so you must apply on a valid Papua New Guinean passport.
  • Age: You must be aged 18 to 30 when you apply, not when you travel.
  • Funds: ~AUD 5,000 + onward fare
  • Health: Must meet health requirements. May need to undergo a medical examination
An annual cap applies to this route
Places can run out during the year. Check the current status before you apply — the official page can take up to 48 hours to reflect a change. Check current cap status →

Eligibility and conditions

Who can apply

Functional English (universal 462 requirement). Education: tertiary qualification (degree/diploma/graduate certificate) or 2 years undergraduate study.

  • Functional English (universal 462 requirement)
  • Education: tertiary qualification (degree/diploma/graduate certificate) or 2 years undergraduate study

General conditions

Per-country education requirement (US: Senior Secondary Certificate or equivalent); Functional English required (UK/US/CA/NZ/IE passports satisfy automatically); some countries need a letter of support (not US). China/India/Vietnam require a ballot (pre-application). Apply from outside Australia; no dependent children.

Reduced application charge

Papua New Guinea passport holders pay a lower subclass 462 application charge from 1 July 2026. Home Affairs does not publish the concessional amount on the visa listing page, so confirm it before you apply.

Extensions

Second visa extension

2nd W&H: 3 months of specified subclass 462 work.

Third visa extension

3rd W&H: 6 months of specified subclass 462 work.

How to apply

Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet all requirements including the age limit of 18-30 and hold a valid Papua New Guinean passport.
Gather your documents
You will need your passport, a recent photo, health insurance details, and proof of sufficient funds.
Apply through the official portal
Submit your application through the official government portal. The fee is $840 and is non-refundable.
Wait for a decision
Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks. Most applications are decided within days.
Ready to apply?
Apply on the official government portal

Applications are submitted through the Australian Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks.

Apply Now →
This link leaves Working Holiday Essentials and opens the official Australian Government website.

Get ready for Australia

Sort out the essentials before you arrive, from banking and mobile data to flights, accommodation and insurance.

Essential setup

Banking

Open a local account soon after you arrive in Australia so you can get paid and skip foreign-card fees. Most banks let you start the application online before you land.

Providers: ANZ, CBA, NAB, Revolut, Westpac, Wise

Mobile and connectivity

Set up a local number or eSIM in Australia for data and calls. The major networks have the widest coverage; budget MVNOs run on the same towers for less.

You will need private health insurance
Papua New Guinean citizens are not covered by a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia, so you must arrange your own cover. Read the healthcare guide

Other nationalities going to Australia

All routes to Australia →

Your first-week checklist

The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.