To work as an au pair in Australia, you almost always need a working holiday visa. There are two of them — the subclass 417 and the subclass 462 — and which one you can get depends mostly on your passport. Here is how they compare, so you can work out which is right for you.
Why you need a working holiday visa
Au pairing is paid, live-in childcare, so you need a visa with work rights. The working holiday visa is the usual choice: it lets you live, travel and work in Australia for up to 12 months, including as an au pair. Whether you apply for the 417 or the 462 comes down to your nationality and a few eligibility rules.
Subclass 417 (Working Holiday)
The subclass 417 is open to passport holders from a set group of countries with a reciprocal arrangement, including the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy and many others. It is the simpler of the two: there is no education or formal English requirement. Most applicants must be 18 to 30, but nationals of a few countries — the UK, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy and Denmark — can apply up to 35.
Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday)
The subclass 462 covers countries such as the USA, China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia. It has a few extra requirements: you generally need at least two years of post-secondary (tertiary) study and to meet an English language requirement (around IELTS 4.5). Applicants from some countries also need a government letter of support, and a few — currently China, India and Vietnam — must first register in a ballot and be selected before they can apply. The 462 age limit is 18 to 30.
Key differences at a glance
- Eligible countries: 417 for the UK, Ireland and much of Europe and East Asia; 462 for the USA, China, India and others.
- Age: 18–30 for both, with 18–35 for some 417 nationalities (UK, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Denmark).
- Education & English: none required for the 417; the 462 needs tertiary study and proof of English.
- Ballot: only the 462, and only for some countries.
What it costs and what you need
The visa application charge is the same for both — around A$670 in 2026 — and ballot countries pay a small extra registration fee. You will also need to show you have enough money to support yourself when you arrive, usually about A$5,000, plus a return or onward travel plan. Always check the current figures on the Department of Home Affairs website, as fees and rules change.
Can you extend your stay?
Both visas can be extended to a second and even third year, but only if you complete eligible specified work in regional Australia — usually in industries like farming or construction. Au pairing in a city does not normally count towards this, so if a longer stay matters to you, plan your regional work separately and check the official criteria first.
How to choose
In most cases you do not really get to choose — your passport decides whether you are eligible for the 417 or the 462. The practical step is to confirm which one applies to your country, check the age and (for the 462) study and English requirements, and budget for the application fee and your arrival funds. Once your visa is sorted, you are ready to find a host family and start your Australian adventure.