A step-by-step guide to completing your application for a Third Working Holiday Visa
Extend your Aussie adventure for one more year!
If you’ve fallen in love with life Down Under and have already completed your Second Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 or 462), the good news is — you might be eligible to apply for a Third Year Working Holiday Visa.
While the eligibility requirements are covered in this blog, this guide focuses on what to do after you finish the work, specifically, how to submit your application online using ImmiAccount and what documents to prepare.
Step 1: Before You Apply
Before starting your application, keep these two points in mind:
🔍 Organise Health Exams (if needed)
You might be required to undergo a health examination depending on your country of origin, travel history, or medical background.
You can either:
- Wait for the Department of Home Affairs to request it, or
- Proactively complete the exam if you're confident it's required
👉 Check if a health exam applies to you: Examinations you need
👥 Get Help With Your Application (if necessary)
You can have someone assist you with your visa application, but only if they are:
💡 You may also nominate someone to receive documents on your behalf, even if they’re not an official advisor.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Before you begin your visa application, make sure all documents are ready for upload. Preparing in advance will help avoid unnecessary delays or rejections.
🛂 Identity Documents
You'll need:
- A scanned copy of your passport (photo + details + expiry page)
- A birth certificate showing both parents' names
If not available, you can provide:
- A family book
- Government-issued ID
- A court-issued identity document
If your name has changed, include:
- Marriage/divorce certificate
- Name change certificate
- Any document showing former names used
👨🌾 Proof of Specified Work (Subclass 417 or 462)
To qualify for a Third Working Holiday Visa, you must prove you completed at least 6 months (179 days) of eligible work in regional Australia during your second visa.
📄 Employment Verification Form (Required)
Ask your employer(s) to complete one of the following forms, based on your visa subclass:
These forms confirm:
- The type and location of your work
- Duration of employment
- Industry (e.g., farming, bushfire recovery, tourism in northern Australia)
✅ You must upload a scanned copy of this completed form when applying.
📁 Additional Supporting Documents
You should also submit as many of the following as possible:
- Payslips
- Bank statements
- Group certificates / payment summaries
- Piece rate agreement (if applicable)
- Employer references
- Tax returns
- A signed statement detailing any lawful deductions from your pay
💵 Proof of Funds (if applying outside Australia)
Applicants applying from outside Australia must provide:
- Proof of at least AUD 5,000 for living expenses
- Evidence of onward travel or funds for a return ticket
Applicants inside Australia usually do not need to provide this unless requested.
🌍 Non-English Document Translation
If any of your documents are not in English:
- Include both original and English translation
- Translators in Australia must be NAATI-accredited
- Overseas translators should include their name, contact details, qualifications, and language experience
📌 Certified translations are not required — just ensure the documents are complete and clear.
👮 Character Documents (if requested)
These are only required if specifically asked, but prepare the following if applicable:
- An Australian police certificate (only if you’ve spent 12 months or more in Australia in the past 10 years)
👉 Must be issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP)
- Overseas police certificates for any country (including your home country) where you’ve stayed for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
- Military records or discharge papers (if applicable)
💡 You’ll be notified during your application if character documents are required.
🙋 If Someone Is Helping You with the Application (Optional)
To officially nominate someone to help or receive correspondence, submit one of the following forms:
- Form 956A – to nominate someone to receive communication
- Form 956 – to appoint an agent, legal practitioner, or exempt person
📎 Upload these forms to your ImmiAccount.
⚠️ These are not needed if you're applying by yourself.
📎 Scanning and Upload Tips
- Use color scans or photos
- Ensure all text is clear and readable
- Combine multi-page documents into one file
- Upload each document only once
- Accepted file formats: PDF, JPG, PNG
Step 3: Apply for the visa
Go to 👉 https://online.immi.gov.au
- Create an Individual Account if you don’t already have one
- Set up your login and security details
- Log in and start a new application
▶Fill in the Online Form
- Click “New Application”
- Select: Third Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 or 462)
You’ll be asked to provide:
- Personal details (name, DOB, passport)
- Previous visa history
- Specified work info: ABN, job type, location, and duration
- Upload Form 1263/1464 and supporting documents
- Health and character declarations
▶Pay and Submit
- Pay the visa fee (approx. AUD 650 as of Jan 2025)
- Payment via credit card or PayPal
- After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your Transaction Reference Number (TRN)
Step 4: After you apply
Once you've submitted your application, here’s what you can and must do while waiting for your visa outcome.
📩 Application Confirmation
You'll receive an email confirming that the Department has received your application. This includes your Transaction Reference Number (TRN), which you can use to track your application in ImmiAccount.
✈️ Travel Considerations
You applied in Australia:
- You must be in Australia when your application is decided.
- If you plan to travel overseas, inform the Department via your ImmiAccount.
- Make sure you have a valid visa to return to Australia.
- Time spent outside Australia after your third visa is granted does not extend your stay.
You applied outside Australia:
- Do not arrange travel to Australia until you receive written confirmation that your visa has been granted.
🧬 Biometrics
You may be asked to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo).
📌 If required, the Department will contact you with instructions.
🩺 Health Examinations
If you did not complete your health exam before applying, you may still be required to do so.
📌 Wait for instructions — if needed, they’ll notify you.
📎 Attach More Information
If you forgot to upload a document when you submitted your application:
- Log in to ImmiAccount and upload it as soon as possible.
- You may also be contacted and asked for additional information.
🛠 Mistakes on Your Application
If you realise you made a mistake after submission:
- Complete Form 1023 – Notification of incorrect answers
- Upload the completed form via your ImmiAccount
🙋 If You Change or Remove an Appointed Helper
If someone was helping you (receiving mail or giving advice) and you want to change or remove them:
- Complete Form 956A to update/remove an authorised recipient
- Complete Form 956 to update/remove an immigration advisor
- 📎 Upload the form(s) to your ImmiAccount
🔄 Tell the Department if Anything Changes
You must notify the Department as soon as possible if any of the following apply after submitting your application:
- You want to withdraw your application
- You get a new passport
- Your relationship status changes
- You have a child
💡 You can update these details through your ImmiAccount or by contacting the Department directly.
Step 5: Wait for Your Visa Outcome
🕒 Processing time: typically a few days to several weeks
- Track your application status through your ImmiAccount
- If you applied from inside Australia, a Bridging Visa may be granted to let you stay while you await a decision
Written by the Vocation Abroad team
Helping working holidaymakers and backpackers find jobs, useful information, and community around the world 🌏💼