New Australian Working Holiday Visa Rules For British Backpackers

Lily Kerley

May 8th, 2024

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4 minute read

Say goodbye to the farmwork obligations when travelling Down Under if you’re a British passport holder - it’s all palm trees, mojitos and coastal adventures for you! The age bracket has also loosened for UK passport holders, so now anybody from 18 to 35 can apply for a Working Holiday Visa.

The Australia and UK Free Trade Agreement Explained For British Backpackers

The Australian and British Governments have announced new changes to the 417 visa requirements for working holiday-makers in Australia under the new Free Trade Agreement and Youth Mobility Scheme. As of 1 July 2023, the age limit for UK backpackers will be lifted from 18 - 30 to 18 - 35 (inclusive). As of 1 July 2024, British working holiday-makers will no longer be required to complete 3 months of farmwork to be able to apply for a second or third WHV. 

Pretty much, this means less work and more play for you Brits, so let's dive into the details of the new visa changes and what they mean for your next working holiday stint in Australia!

What’s changed with the Australian Working Holiday Visa requirements for UK citizens?

Rural & regional “farmwork” obligations scrapped

Changes come into effect on 1 July 2024

• British Backpackers are no longer required to complete 88 days of specified rural or regional work to be eligible for a second or third WHV.

• British backpackers are therefore permitted to work or holiday wherever they prefer in Australia, rather than undertaking rural farmwork.

• UK passport holders are still required to apply for their second or third WHVs, however, the previous farmwork obligations are no longer in place.

• British backpackers can therefore stay in Australia for up to three years on a working holiday without any farmwork obligations.

Age limit loosened 

Changes come into effect on 1 July 2023

• The age bracket for British working holiday-makers has been widened, so now backpackers from 18 - 35 years old (inclusive) will be eligible for a WHV. 

• The previous limit was 18 - 30.

• Under the Free Trade Agreement, both governments are encouraging more British citizens to work and holiday in Australia in a post-pandemic setting.

Faster application processing times

• The Australian Immigration Department has announced its efforts to minimise Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) waiting times by simultaneously processing new and old applications. 

• This suggests that wait times will be less than the 4-month average currently observed, however, it’s difficult to give an accurate approximation as wait times can vary significantly! 

• The best thing you can do is to get your application in as soon as possible so you can take advantage of these awesome changes!

So yes, British passport holders can now get a 2nd year visa in Australia without farm work.

We recommend you check the Australian Government Immigration website for up-to-date visa requirements before applying!

If I arrive in Australia before 1 July 2024, do I still need to do farm work for my 2nd year visa?

If you are a British passport holder and are applying for your second-year Working Holiday Visa after 1 July 2024, you will not be required to supply evidence of your 88 days of farm work.

For example, if you arrived in Australia in August 2023 on your first WHV, and are planning on applying for your second WHV in August 2024, you will not be required to submit evidence of the 88 days of farmwork in your application. In short, if you are a British backpacker applying for your second Working Holiday Visa after 1 July 2024, you don't need to worry about doing the farm work. So, put down that hay bale and hit the beach!

Need more info on visas, tax, superannuation and working in Australia? Check out our comprehensive guide to working holidays!

Or, focus on the fun stuff, and check out our decked-out East Coast itineraries - it’s all about the sun, surf and sand as soon as you land!

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