Working Holiday Visa
6 months work limitation for Work & Travel
Overview
The Working Holiday visa allows young travellers to explore Australia while working to fund their stay.
To ensure the program remains true to its original purpose – cultural exchange and short-term employment – certain work limitations apply.
One of the most important rules is the 6-month work limitation (Visa Condition 8547). This condition states that holders of a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) must not work for the same employer for longer than six months, unless an approved exception applies.
The purpose of this rule is to ensure that Working Holiday makers gain diverse experiences in Australia, explore different regions and employers, and generally do not stay in a single job for the entire duration of their stay.
What does „same employer“ mean?
The same employer is the business or person you are actually working for — in other words, the business or household where you carry out your duties.
If you are employed through a labour hire company or recruitment agency, the worksite (host employer) counts as the employer, not the agency itself.
If you are self-employed, you also must not work for the same client for more than six months, unless an exception applies.
The limit is based on the calendar period, not on the number of hours worked. It does not matter whether you work 10 or 40 hours per week — after six months with the same employer, the limit is reached.
When the six-month period resets
The six-month period starts on the day you begin working for an employer.
If you later receive a new Working Holiday visa or a Bridging Visa with the same condition,
the counting period resets and starts again.
Exceptions to the Six-Month Limitation
There are several exceptions that allow you to work for the same employer for more than six months without needing special permission.
Work at different locations
If you work for the same employer at different addresses — such as multiple branches or business locations — you may work up to six months at each location.
This also applies if you work partly remotely or from home.
Agriculture
Work in plant and animal cultivation — for example harvesting, planting, packing, animal care, or processing agricultural products — is exempt from the six-month rule.
You may work for the same employer for longer in this sector.
Disaster recovery
If you participate in recovery or clean-up work after natural disasters — such as in infrastructure, clean-up, insurance support, or helping affected communities — the six-month limit does not apply.
Critical sectors
In certain industries, you may work longer for the same employer without needing approval. These sectors include:
- Agriculture and food processing
- Healthcare
- Aged and disability care
- Childcare — including au pair and nanny work
- Tourism and hospitality
Work in Northern Australia
In specific postcodes in Northern Australia, the limitation also does not apply for jobs in:
- Fishing and pearling
- Forestry and tree felling
- Construction
- Mining
Special case: Au pair work
Au pairs and nannies are considered part of the critical sector of childcare. This means you may stay with the same host family for more than six months without special permission, as long as your role is clearly recognised as childcare.
If you change to a new host family, even if arranged through the same agency, this counts as a new employer and the six-month period starts again.
Activities that go beyond typical childcare duties (for example extensive household work or caring for adults) do not automatically fall under this exception.
When no exception applies
In all other cases, you must apply for permission if you wish to continue working for the same employer beyond six months. It’s important to submit the application before the six-month limit is reached.
If you lodge the application after the six-month period has already expired, you must stop working until a decision has been made.
Permission may be granted if:
- You have already applied for another visa that allows unrestricted work, or
- Your employer provides written confirmation that your role is critical or that stopping work would cause operational issues.
While your application is being processed, you are usually allowed to continue working.
Questions about the work limitation?
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