Requirements & Visa

Subclass 417

1. Check Eligibility

• Age: 18–30

Up to 35 for: Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, UK

• Citizenship: Must be from a 417-eligible country

• Valid passport

• Good health & no serious criminal record

2. Prepare Documents

• Passport

• Proof of funds (~AUD 5,000)

• Return ticket or funds for one

• Health/police certificates (only if requested)

3. Create Your ImmiAccount

• Register on the Australian Immigration website https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login

• This is where you upload everything

4. Submit the Online Form

• Fill in personal details

• Upload documents

• Review carefully before submitting!

5. Pay the Fee

• About AUD 495 (online payment)

6. Wait for Processing

• You’ll get a confirmation email

• Processing: a few days to several weeks

7. Visa Grant

• You’ll receive your visa number & conditions

• Check work limits, entry date, and validity

Subclass 462

1. Check Eligibility

• Age: 18–30 (some up to 35)

• Citizenship: Must be from a 462-eligible country

• Education: Usually at least 2 years of study

• Functional English

• Good health & no serious criminal record

2. Prepare Documents

• Passport

• Proof of studies

• Proof of funds (~AUD 5,000)

• Return ticket or funds

• English test (if required)

• Government support letter (for some nationalities)

3. Create Your ImmiAccount

• Register on the Australian Immigration website https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login

• This is where you upload everything

4. Submit the Online Application

• Fill in all details

• Upload documents

• Check everything before submitting!

5. Pay the Fee

• Around AUD 495

6. Processing Time

• Confirmation email

• Processing takes weeks; extra documents may be required

7. Visa Grant

• Check visa number, entry date, and conditions

Travel Insurance

If you’re planning a Work & Travel year in Australia, good travel insurance is a must!! Medical costs in Australia are high, and many employers won’t hire you unless you can show proof of insurance.

What Your Insurance Should Cover:

A reliable Work & Travel policy should include:

• Medical emergencies & hospital treatment

• Doctor visits & prescriptions

• Accidents at work (very important for farm, hospitality, or construction jobs)

• Theft, lost luggage, damaged belongings

• Personal liability (if you accidentally damage property or injure someone)

• Trip interruption or early return

Why It’s Essential

Even a simple doctor visit can be expensive without insurance. A broken ankle or workplace injury can easily cost thousands of dollars. Good coverage means you can focus on your adventure not hospital bills.

Popular International Travel Insurances for Work & Travel

These companies offer policies for many nationalities and are widely used by backpackers in Australia:

Worldwide Providers:

• World Nomads – flexible, adventure-friendly, good for backpackers

• SafetyWing – monthly subscription, great for long-term digital nomads

• Allianz Travel – strong medical coverage, worldwide support

• IMG Global (Patriot Travel) – comprehensive international plans

• Axa Assistance – popular for global travel insurance

• Battleface – covers adventure activities and remote areas

Important

Buy your insurance before you arrive in Australia. Many companies won’t allow you to start a contract once you’re already overseas.

Budget & Costs

Australia is not cheap, so good budgeting is important!

Typical starting costs:

Most travellers start with around 5,000–7,000 AUD.

The good news:

Wages in Australia are high, and backpackers often earn between:

• 25–35 AUD per hour in hospitality

• 30–40 AUD per hour in construction

• 20–30 AUD per hour on farms

Tax File Number

If you want to work in Australia, you must have your personal Tax File Number. Without it, employers are required to tax you at the highest tax rate, and you may not get paid correctly.

What Is a TFN?

A TFN (Tax File Number) is your unique tax identification number in Australia.

You need it for:

• Starting any job

• Getting paid normally (without high tax)

• Accessing superannuation (retirement money)

• Lodging your tax return at the end of the year

• Opening some bank accounts

How to Apply for a TFN?

Step 1: Go to the Official ATO Website

Visit the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/tax-file-number

Step 2: Select Your Visa Type

Choose Working Holiday Maker (417/462) or the visa you hold.

Step 3: Fill Out the Online Form

You will need:

• Your passport

• Your Australian address (can be hostel, Airbnb, or friend’s place)

• Your contact details

Enter your personal information exactly as it appears in your passport.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation email from the ATO.

Step 5: Wait for Your TFN

Your TFN will be sent to your postal address within 7–28 days

Open a Bank Account

Opening an Australian bank account is essential for getting paid, paying bills, and avoiding international fees.

Popular Banks

• Commonwealth Bank (CommBank)

• Westpac

• ANZ

• NAB

What You Need

• Passport

• Visa details

• Australian address (hostel, Airbnb, friend)

How to Open

• In-branch: Walk into a bank like CommBank. They can help you open the account on the spot.

• Online: Apply before arrival and pick up your card at a branch.

Job search

more information is coming soon:)

Buying a Car

more information is coming soon:)