Australia Proposes Tighter Working Holiday Visa Rules

Proposed changes would cap second-year visas and tie third-year eligibility to regional work, affecting Irish and other working holiday visa holders.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand

Australia Proposes Tighter Working Holiday Visa Rules

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Australia has proposed changes to its working holiday visa program that would limit second-year visas to 45,000 annually. Five thousand places would be available for holders seeking a third year, with entry tied to regional work.

Why it matters

The Australian government's Minister for Home Affairs hopes the plan will help meet a Net Overseas Migration target of 225,000. The changes are expected to affect regional employers who rely on working holiday visa holders.

Third-year lottery entry requires 88 days of regional work, and the proposal caps second-year visas at 45,000 a year. The extraction does not confirm the timing of implementation or the final rules.

The players

Minister for Home Affairs

The Australian cabinet minister responsible for the home affairs portfolio, which oversees the visa system, and who hopes the plan will meet the migration target.

The details

The proposal would limit second-year working holiday visas to 45,000 annually. Anyone staying longer than one year would need to complete 88 days of regional work to enter the lottery for 5,000 third-year places.

Article on the proposed working holiday visa changes published 2 November 2026.

Roadmap

The proposal ties working holiday visa numbers to Australia's Net Overseas Migration target of 225,000, linking a travel-program change to national migration policy. It places regional work requirements at the centre of third-year eligibility.

Working holiday visa applicants should watch for the final rules, as the 88-day regional work requirement and yearly caps would shape plans for a third year. Those considering regional work should confirm eligibility before committing to a longer stay.

The takeaway

Anyone planning a longer working holiday in Australia should track the final visa rules, since the proposed caps and regional work requirements could change how long they can stay.