A working holiday visa lets you live and work in Australia for up to 12 months, and the pay is among the highest paid to travellers anywhere. Casual rates start in the low $30s an hour, and weekend, night and public holiday work can push them to $40 or more in some jobs. That isn’t a guaranteed income, though. Casual jobs usually have no guaranteed hours, and what you earn depends on your job, your location, your award and how many shifts you get.
This guide explains the pay rates that apply from 1 July 2026, who can apply, what the visa costs, which jobs are most common, and how to apply. Figures are estimates based on published sources, and visa fees and rules can change, so confirm them with the Department of Home Affairs before you apply.
What Working Holiday Visas Pay in 2026–27
The national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026, and it applies to working holiday makers in the same way as to residents. Casual workers get a loading on top of that, so a casual on the national minimum earns at least $33.05 an hour.
Most jobs are covered by an industry award, and award rates are often higher than the national minimum. For example, Retail Level 1 is $27.81 an hour before casual loading. The table below shows the main reference points.
| Rate | Hourly pay (from 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|
| National minimum wage (permanent) | $26.44 |
| National minimum wage (casual, with 25% loading) | $33.05 |
| General Retail Level 1 (casual, calculated) | About $34.76 |
You may see the range “$25–$35 an hour” elsewhere. The $25 end is below the legal adult minimum, so it isn’t a realistic expectation unless you’re a junior employee on a lower rate. A more accurate starting point for adult casual work is around $33 an hour, with higher rates on weekends, nights and public holidays. Check the award for your specific job with the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay tools.
What That Means Per Week
At the casual minimum, a 38-hour week would earn about $1,256 before tax. Working holiday makers pay a flat 15% on the first $45,000 of Australian income, so take-home pay for that week is roughly $1,070. These are estimates, since many casual workers get fewer than 38 hours and some weeks have none.
Who Can Apply: Visa Requirements
Australia has two working holiday programs. The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is open to passport holders from 19 countries, mostly in Europe and East Asia. The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) covers about 30 other countries, including the United States, China and India, and has somewhat different rules, such as a lower age limit and fewer qualifying jobs for extensions.
Eligibility for the 417 generally means:
- You hold a passport from an eligible country.
- You’re aged 18 to 30, or up to 35 if you hold a passport from certain countries such as the UK, Canada or Ireland. Sources differ on the complete list, so check your own passport country on the Home Affairs site.
- You have around AUD $5,000 in savings plus enough for a return flight.
- You meet character and health requirements and accept the Australian Values Statement.
- You haven’t previously held a 417 visa, unless you’re applying for a second or third visa.
Your age at the time of application is what counts, not your age when you arrive. Your first application must generally be made from outside Australia.
What the Visa Costs
The first working holiday visa application charge is reported as AUD $840 for 2026–27, up from $635 in earlier years. One source puts a second or third visa at $1,000. Fees are reset each 1 July, so confirm the current amount on the Home Affairs website before you apply.
Budget for more than the visa charge. You’ll also need flights, the minimum savings requirement, travel or health insurance and accommodation for your first weeks. Health insurance isn’t something to skip, since medical costs for visitors can be high, although some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia.
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Jobs for Working Holiday Makers
You can generally take any type of work, and the most common jobs are in hospitality, farms and horticulture, retail, warehouses and construction labouring. Pay varies by award, region and employer, so treat these descriptions as general guidance rather than quotes.
Hospitality and Tourism
Bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels hire large numbers of casuals, especially in cities and tourist regions. Casual rates generally start at or above the $33.05 national casual minimum and can be higher for weekend, evening and public holiday shifts. Hours can be irregular, so earnings fluctuate week to week.
Farm and Horticulture Work
Fruit picking, packing and other farm jobs are the usual way to qualify for a second or third visa. Some farms pay by the hour and others pay piece rates, meaning you’re paid per bin or kilo. Be careful with piece rates and cash-in-hand offers, because you’re still entitled to minimum pay conditions and a payslip. Ask in advance how pay is calculated and keep records of your hours.
Retail, Warehouse and Construction Labouring
Retail and warehouse jobs offer steadier hours, with casual rates typically in the low to mid $30s. Construction labouring and site work can pay more but may require a white card, which is a short safety induction you can complete after arriving. Working holiday makers also work in cleaning, events and support roles, and in some mining and remote-area jobs.
Work Limits to Know About
Working holiday makers can generally work for the same employer for only six months, with limited exceptions in certain areas. You can also study for up to four months. Both limits are visa conditions, so check them in your grant letter.
Staying a Second or Third Year
To qualify for a second 417 visa, you generally need to complete 88 days of specified work in regional Australia during your first year. For a third visa, you need 179 days (about six months) of specified work during your second year. Only certain industries and postcodes count, and you’ll need payslips as evidence. Some passport holders, such as UK citizens under the UK–Australia trade agreement, can be exempt from the specified work requirement, so check whether this applies to you.
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How to Apply
- Check that your passport country, age and previous visa history make you eligible for the 417 or 462.
- Prepare your passport, proof of funds, and details of your return flight or funds for it.
- Create an ImmiAccount on the Home Affairs website and complete the application online.
- Pay the application charge and provide any requested health checks or biometrics.
- Wait for the decision and check the conditions on your visa grant letter.
- After you arrive, get a Tax File Number, open an Australian bank account and choose a super fund.
- Keep your payslips, especially if you plan to apply for a second or third visa.
Tax and Super on a Working Holiday Visa
Working holiday makers pay 15% tax on the first $45,000 of income once they have a Tax File Number, then standard resident rates on income above that. Your employer also pays 12% super into a fund on top of your wages. When you leave Australia, you can generally claim that super through the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment, but working holiday makers pay a flat 65% tax on the taxable part, so factor that into your plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage for working holiday makers in 2026–27? The same as everyone else: $26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026, or $33.05 for casuals on the national minimum. Most awards are higher.
Can I really earn $30–$40 an hour on a working holiday visa? Casual rates commonly start around $33 an hour, and weekend or public holiday work can reach $40 or more in some roles. It isn’t guaranteed, because hours and rates vary by job.
How old can I be to apply? Generally 18 to 30 for the 417, and up to 35 for passport holders from certain countries such as the UK, Canada and Ireland. Check your passport country on the Home Affairs site.
Do I need to do farm work? Only if you want a second or third visa. Specified regional work such as farming is required for extensions, but not for your first year.
Can I work for one employer for the whole year? Generally no. The usual limit is six months with the same employer, with limited exceptions, so check your visa conditions.
Can I get my super back when I leave? Yes, through the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment, but working holiday makers pay a flat 65% tax on the taxable portion of the payout.
Conclusion
A working holiday visa can be a well-paid way to spend up to a year in Australia, with casual rates starting around $33 an hour from July 2026. Your actual earnings depend on the job, the number of hours you get and the award that applies. Confirm the current visa fee and eligibility with the Department of Home Affairs, get a Tax File Number as soon as you arrive, and keep your payslips so you can prove your pay and your work history.
Sources
Pay rates, fees and visa rules are estimates from the sources below and change each year. Verify current figures with the official bodies.
- Fair Work Ombudsman, Minimum wages: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages/minimum-wages
- Australian Unions, Minimum wage factsheet: https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/minimum-wage/
- Australian Small Business, Minimum Wage and Penalty Rates 2026-27: https://australiansmallbusiness.com.au/people/minimum-wage-and-penalty-rates-2026-27
- Working Holiday Tax, Minimum Wage Australia 2026-27: https://workingholidaytax.com.au/blog/minimum-wage-australia-2026-27
- FairWorkMate, Minimum wage tool: https://fairworkmate.com.au/tools/minimum-wage
- Australian Visa Online, Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) Complete Guide 2026: https://www.australianvisaonline.com/working-holiday/working-holiday-visa-subclass-417
- Australian.com, Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) guide: https://www.australian.com/guides/working-holiday-visa-417-guide
- Global Work & Travel, Australia’s Working Holiday Visa Complete Guide for 2026: https://www.globalworkandtravel.com/resources/australias-working-holiday-visa-the-complete-guide
- Tern Visa, Australian Working Holiday visa 2026 guide: https://ternvisa.com/en/blog/ultimate-guide-working-holiday-visa
- Visa Advisor, Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa: https://www.visaadvisor.com.au/other-visas/visitor-visas/subclass-417-working-holiday-visa
- BackpackersWorld, Complete Guide to Australia’s Working Holiday Visa: https://backpackersworld.com/blog/complete-guide-to-australias-working-holiday-visa-417-and-462/
- Australian Department of Home Affairs (official visa information and fees): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Australian Taxation Office (working holiday maker tax rates): https://www.ato.gov.au