Australia Reopens Working Holiday Visa Program for Czech Citizens

29th May 2026

Australia has officially reopened its Working Holiday visa program for eligible Czech citizens, with 500 visa places available each year.

The program allows young Czech travellers to holiday in Australia while also undertaking short-term work and limited study opportunities during their stay.

Successful applicants may stay in Australia for up to 12 months under Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program.

In this article, we explain:

Who can apply
The relevant visa options
Eligibility requirements
Important visa conditions
Work and study restrictions
Second and third visa opportunities

What Has Changed for Czech Citizens?

The Australian Government has reopened its Working Holiday visa arrangements with the Czech Republic, allowing eligible Czech citizens to apply online through their ImmiAccount via the Department of Home Affairs.

Under the updated arrangement, up to 500 Czech applicants will be eligible to participate in the program each year.

The reopening provides young Czech citizens with greater opportunities to:

Travel throughout Australia
Undertake temporary work
Complete short-term study
Experience Australian culture and lifestyle

What Is Australia’s Working Holiday Maker Program?

Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program allows young adults from eligible countries to undertake an extended holiday in Australia while supplementing their travels through temporary work and short-term study.

The program currently operates through two visa streams:

Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)

Both visa types generally allow eligible applicants to remain in Australia for up to 12 months.

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is available to eligible passport holders from certain countries and allows young travellers to:

Holiday in Australia
Work temporarily
Undertake a short-term study

Applicants must generally:

Be between 18 and 30 years of age, although some countries permit applicants up to 35 years old
Hold a passport from an eligible country
Not to be accompanied by dependent children during their stay

Eligible visa holders may also qualify for second and third Working Holiday visas if they complete specified work requirements while in Australia.

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) also allows eligible young adults to travel, work, and study in Australia for up to 12 months.

To be eligible, applicants generally must:

Be between 18 and 30 years of age
Hold a passport from an eligible country
Not to be accompanied by dependent children during their stay

Depending on the applicant’s country of citizenship, additional requirements may apply, including educational or English language requirements.

Who Can Apply for a Working Holiday Visa?

To apply for a Working Holiday visa, applicants must generally:

Hold a valid passport from an eligible country
Meet the applicable age requirements
Satisfy health and character requirements
Have sufficient funds to support themselves initially in Australia
Not travelling with dependent children

Applicants must also meet any additional eligibility requirements imposed by the Department of Home Affairs for their particular visa stream.

How Long Can Czech Citizens Stay in Australia?

Successful applicants can generally stay in Australia for up to 12 months from the date of first entry.

During their stay, visa holders may:

Travel freely throughout Australia
Undertake temporary employment
Complete short-term study or training

Some visa holders may also become eligible for a second or third Working Holiday visa if they complete specified work in eligible industries or regional areas.

Important Working Holiday Visa Conditions

Working Holiday visa holders must comply with several visa conditions while in Australia, including restrictions relating to work and study.

Condition 8548: Study Restrictions

Visa condition 8548 limits the amount of study a visa holder can undertake while in Australia.

Generally, visa holders cannot study or train for more than four months during their stay. This includes:

Classroom study
Training programs
Non-teaching periods connected to the course
Examination periods

Applicants considering longer-term study in Australia may need to explore alternative visa options.

Condition 8547: Six-Month Work Limitation

Visa condition 8547 generally prevents Working Holiday visa holders from working for the same employer for more than six months without permission from the Department of Home Affairs.

However, exemptions may apply in certain circumstances, including:

Plant and animal cultivation work
Natural disaster recovery work
Tourism and hospitality roles
Healthcare, aged care, disability care, and childcare work
Food processing roles
Certain industries in Northern Australia, including:
- Fishing and pearling
- Tree farming and felling
- Construction
- Mining

In some cases, visa holders may apply for permission to work longer than six months with the same employer.

Can You Apply for a Second or Third Working Holiday Visa?

Some Working Holiday visa holders may become eligible for a second or third visa if they complete specified work in eligible industries or regional areas.

Specified work may include employment in industries such as:

Agriculture
Hospitality
Construction
Tourism
Healthcare
Disaster recovery

Eligibility requirements can vary depending on the visa subclass and the type of work completed.

Need Help Applying for a Working Holiday Visa?

If you are considering applying for an Australian Working Holiday visa, it is important to understand the eligibility requirements, visa conditions, and application process before lodging your application.

Our experienced Migration Lawyers at All Access Migration can assist with: