Working Holiday Visa Australia 2025: The Real First Steps Guide (From Someone Who’s Done It)
- Francesca Frascona
- Aug 16
- 8 min read
Moving to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is exciting — but those first steps can also feel overwhelming. It wasn't my first time moving to a new country, and I tend to always be very prepared and organised, doing extensive research beforehand. But when I moved here, I quickly realised that many backpackers are struggling for the big move — both with paperwork and financially.
That’s why I decided to put together this quick guide for you to have all you need to do listed in one place.
First things first, if you are here you might already know that but...
What Is the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) in Australia?
Australia offers two main Working Holiday V subclasses:
Subclass 417 and 462 WHV - Depending on your home country. For example, Italy or the UK fall under the 417 Subclass.
A WHV lets you live, travel, and work in Australia for up to 12 months, with the option to extend for a second and third year by doing specified work in regional areas (88 days for second year, 179 days for third).
UK travellers: As of July 2024, no specific regional work is required for extensions. Lucky us! 😎
Working Holiday Visa Eligibility & Application Process
You can check eligibility and apply for either one or the other on the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website here under Visitor Visa. The two visas are practically the same but are differentiated due to different agreements between your home country and Australia.
General requirements to apply for your WHV (once again always check the official site for updates as things might change in the future):
Age: 18–30 years old (or 18–35 for us lucky citizens of the UK, Canada, France, Ireland, and Italy). You can apply right up until the day before you turn 36. Once granted, you have 12 months to enter Australia.
Passport: Must be from an eligible country. If it’s expiring soon (under 6 months), renew it at home before you come — it’ll save you a headache later.
Proof of funds: At least AUD 5,000 as per application requirements. However, I personally recommend saving more for peace of mind. Having some extra cash, especially if finding a job takes longer than expected, or if you plan to buy a car/van soon after arrival is always handy.
That said...
Let's talk Budget for moving to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa (2025 update)
Expense | Estimated Cost (AUD) |
Visa fee | $670 |
One-way flight | $500–$1,500 |
Proof of funds | $5,000 (plus extra if possible) |
First month’s living costs | $1,500–$2,000 |
Emergency fund | $2,000+ |
Tip: The amount shown in the table is the absolute minimum I would advise you to have. That said, budget is something very personal, as it depends entirely on your lifestyle and adaptability. Age can also be a big factor. Moving to Australia in my 30s, for example, gave me the chance to be much more financially stable than someone arriving in their early 20s, since I already had over 10 years of full-time work to prepare for the move. Be mindful and figure out what will work best for you first. Once you start travelling, paying rent, going out, doing grocery shopping, and so on, money will leave your bank account quickly, life in Australia is unfortunately not super cheap.
Best SIM Cards in Australia for Backpackers
Main providers:
Telstra – Best coverage in remote areas. More expensive, but worth it if you plan to travel into the Outback.
Optus – Good value and coverage, with some surprising coverage in some national parks (especially in WA).
Vodafone, Aldi & budget providers – Cheapest option, but with weaker signal outside of cities. Some providers, like Aldi, also use Telstra towers for coverage. However, since you’re paying less than you would with a direct Telstra contract, you can expect less reliable connection compared to an actual Telstra SIM card. Proven and tested in the Outback! Telstra worked, Aldi didn’t.
I personally use Telstra as my main SIM card, but I also keep Optus as a backup. I set it up as the main network for my British SIM, which I’ve kept active here in Australia too, so I can run two SIM cards at all times—just in case. That said, don’t expect to have signal with any SIM card in the middle of the desert or very remote regions of WA—you simply won’t. I’ll share more about that part of my experience in a different post.
If you have the budget, or if you’re lucky enough to work remotely, I’d definitely recommend getting Starlink, which I’m actually considering myself for my second crossing of the Outback. For those who don’t know, Starlink offers satellite internet and allows you to stay connected wherever you are without worrying about mobile coverage. The downside is the high upfront cost for the antenna and router, plus monthly service fees starting from $150+. On top of that, you’ll need a proper electrical setup in your van or car to power it, since it requires consistent energy.
Now let's get to the fun part... 😁 Paperwork needed while on a Working Holiday Visa for Australia in 2025!
How to Apply for a TFN (Tax File Number)
You must have a TFN to work in Australia.
Apply online via the ATO website. Use your:
Passport details
Visa details
Australian address (can be hostel, Airbnb, or a friend’s — just ask first)
Tip: Stay in your arrival city until important documents arrive, or have a friend you trust receive your mail.
Setting Up Medicare for Working Holiday Makers
If you’re eligible, you’ll need to enrol in Medicare to access healthcare while in Australia. You can check if your country has a so called Reciprocal Health Care Agreement here. Print and complete the enrolment form, then submit it via email as instructed on the form. Once approved, you’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail, which you’ll use whenever you need medical services. You can find all the info and download the enrolment form from the Official Website here.
Opening a Bank Account in Australia
Once you arrive in Australia, it’s essential to open a bank account to receive your salary and manage expenses. Most backpackers choose Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, or Westpac, as they have wide coverage, easy online banking, and options tailored for travellers. That said, any major bank will work perfectly fine, so don’t stress too much about picking the “right” one, choose whichever is most convenient for you. You’ll usually need your passport, proof of address, and your TFN if you already have it.
Superannuation Explained (and why you don’t need to stress about it)
Superannuation (or “super”) is Australia’s retirement savings system (in short your pension), and every employer is required to pay into a fund on your behalf. Choosing a super fund isn’t really a big issue, your first employer will usually recommend the fund they use for their staff. That’s exactly what I did: I registered with the super fund suggested by my first employer, and I kept using the same one for all my other jobs in Australia. Simple and hassle-free.
Buying a Van or Car on a working Holiday Visa: How it works and useful tips
The most popular places to look for vehicles in Australia are Facebook Marketplace, backpacker/hostel notice boards, and word-of-mouth through other travellers. I bought Mitsu (my van) on Marketplace — just be cautious of scams as usual, though Marketplace is generally reliable here in Australia (not like back in Europe!).
Before buying, make sure to check the rules in the state you want to buy in, as requirements vary and you want to get a vehicle that is properly registered/checked:
Rego (Registration) – Legal registration with the state; covers road tax and basic insurance. This is an expense you will have for the whole period you will own the vehicle for.
RWC/Pink Slip/Blue Slip – Proof the vehicle is roadworthy; required for ownership transfer in some states.
Service History – Shows past maintenance; indicates care.
Mileage – High mileage is okay in Australia especially if well maintained by previous owners.
Mechanical Inspection – Have a mechanic check for hidden issues before you go ahead with the purchase.
Tip: Rego (short for registration) is what makes your car or van legal to drive on Australian roads. It usually includes Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, which only covers injuries to other people if you’re in an accident—but it does not cover any damage to vehicles or property. For extra peace of mind, consider adding third party, fire and theft, or comprehensive insurance through companies like RAC or Youi. This way, you’re covered for roadside assistance and any potential damage to your own vehicle, as well as to someone else’s vehicle in case of an accident.
Once you’ve agreed on a price and shaken hands on the deal, the seller and buyer need to complete a transfer of ownership form (this varies by state). You’ll usually need to submit it to the local transport authority within a set timeframe and pay a transfer fee. In some states, you might also have to arrange a roadworthy/safety certificate before the transfer is finalized. After that, you’ll get the vehicle registered in your name, update the rego, and you’re officially the owner.
Driving in Australia & Overseas Licence Conversion
You can usually drive on your overseas licence for 3–6 months (varies by state). After that, you may need to convert it to an Australian one. Therefore:
Check State-Specific Requirements: Visit your state's transport authority website to understand the specific requirements for licence conversion (links below for you).
Gather Necessary Documents: Typically, you'll need your overseas licence, proof of identity, proof of Australian residency, and possibly a certified translation of your licence if it's not in English.
Converting your licence is useful into an Australian one is also very useful as it acts as proof of address and can help with certain job applications too.
Resources by State for buying a vehicle and converting your licence
Final Thoughts on Moving to Australia on a WHV
The Working Holiday Visa in Australia is all about freedom — but getting your admin sorted early means you can enjoy that freedom without the stress. Once you have your SIM, TFN, Medicare, and bank account set up, you’re ready to start working, safe some extra money and hit the road to start exploring Aussie.
I’ve kept this guide as objective and clear as possible, but the truth is that Australia is a powerful country that can shape you in many ways. Whether you come here to work, to travel, or for both, it’s a place that will gift you unforgettable memories for a lifetime. So safe some money, buy that flight ticket and start your adventure of a lifetime!
Getting in Touch with me for extra help
If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to get in touch through my contact form here on my blog—I’m always happy to help fellow travellers and future backpackers. And if you’d like more personal guidance, I’ve also set up the option to book a Zoom chat with me through my Buy Me a Coffee shop here. That way, we can talk one-on-one about moving to Australia, answer all your doubts, and I can share my tips from someone who’s done it all and is still here living the experience.
If you want to read more about my personal journey and what moving to Australia really meant for me, check out my blog post: I Left Everything Behind for a Life on the Road in Australia—And Built My Van from Scratch. It’s a deeper dive into the experiences, lessons, and memories that shaped my adventure. It might help you with your final decision about Australia ❤️
