Is the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) or the Working Holiday Visa faster to get?

They are similar: the WHM 417 takes about 1–2 months and the WHV about 1–2 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.

Which costs more, the WHM 417 or the WHV?

The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) costs more, about $460 in official fees, versus $430 for the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) (WHM 417). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.

Can I get permanent residency with the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) or the Working Holiday Visa?

The WHM 417 does not lead directly to permanent residency, while the WHV does not lead directly to permanent residency. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Do I need a job offer for the WHM 417 or the WHV?

No. Neither the WHM 417 nor the WHV requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.

Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) vs Working Holiday Visa

Australia · WHM 417vs New Zealand · WHV

Quick answerUpdated 2026-06-10

The WHM 417 is cheaper on official fees ($430). Which fits depends on your nationality, profession, and whether you already have a job offer, the breakdown below maps each visa to a profile.

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

Australia and New Zealand run the two most popular working-holiday programmes for people aged 18-30, and many travellers pick one as a stepping stone to the other. New Zealand's Working Holiday Visa is cheaper (from ~NZD 770) and simple: 12 months, extendable to 23 for some nationalities. Australia's Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) starts at 12 months too, but you can extend to a second and third year by doing specified regional or agricultural work, which makes it the better choice if you want a longer runway. Eligible-country lists differ, so check your passport qualifies for the one you want.

Further reading: Australia 417 Working Holiday guide · NZ Working Holiday Visa guide

Section 01

At a glance

WHM 417

WHV

Processing time

1–2 months

Application fee

$430

$460

Initial validity

1 yr

Path to PR

Points-based

Employer sponsor

Not required

Minimum salary

—

Language test

Not required

Verified

2026-06-10

Section 02

Which one fits you?

01
How long you want to stay
Pick WHM 417
Up to 3 years via regional-work extensions
Pick WHV
12 months, up to 23 for some nationalities
02
Cost
Pick WHM 417
Higher application fee
Pick WHV
Cheaper (from ~USD 460)
03
Extensions
Pick WHM 417
Earn 2nd/3rd year through specified regional work
Pick WHV
No multi-year work-based extension
04
Path beyond the visa
Pick WHM 417
Common bridge to AU skilled or employer-sponsored routes
Pick WHV
Common bridge to NZ AEWV or Skilled Migrant Category

Section 03

Common questions

Is the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) or the Working Holiday Visa faster to get?: They are similar: the WHM 417 takes about 1–2 months and the WHV about 1–2 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.
Which costs more, the WHM 417 or the WHV?: The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) costs more, about $460 in official fees, versus $430 for the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) (WHM 417). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.
Can I get permanent residency with the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) or the Working Holiday Visa?: The WHM 417 does not lead directly to permanent residency, while the WHV does not lead directly to permanent residency. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.
Do I need a job offer for the WHM 417 or the WHV?: No. Neither the WHM 417 nor the WHV requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.

Section 04

Read the full pathway