Working Holiday Maker work limitations
If you hold a Working Holiday (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa, you can do any kind of work over the course of your 12-month stay in Australia. There are limitations on the timeframe you may work with any one employer.
Mandatory visa condition 8547 limits you to a maximum period of 6 months’ work with any one employer. If your work does not fall within an exemption to condition 8547, you will have to seek permission to work longer than 6 months for the same employer.
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs has made the decision to continue the previous exemption process relating to visa condition 8547. This began on 1 January 2024, and will continue while consultation on the Working Holiday program settings and reform process is underway. This is in line with the Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023.
How to request permission to work longer than 6 months
Submit an online permission to work longer than 6 months form.
We may give you permission to work longer than six months with the same employer if:
- you have applied for a visa allowing ongoing full time work and
- you are awaiting the outcome of your application or
- your work is critical to your employer.
If you have already submitted a request for approval to work for longer than 6 months for the same employer, you can continue working for the same employer until you receive a written outcome of your request.
You must submit your request before the initial 6-month period lapses. If you submit your request after the period has already lapsed, you must stop working for the same employer and wait for the outcome of your request.
For more information on exemptions and grounds for seeking permission, see
Visa conditions 8547 – 6 month work limitation.
