Australia Slows Down Processing of Working Holiday Visas—Longer Wait Times

On August 16, 2026, Australian Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Tony Burke confirmed that the processing of applications under the Working Holiday Maker Program is currently noticeably slower than before. When asked whether certain categories had been put on hold, he clarified that applications are still being processed—though it is taking significantly longer than in the past. No new average processing time or timeline for when the situation is expected to return to normal has been provided yet.

According to the relevant authorities, the reason for the delay is an exceptionally high volume of applications for both visa subclasses under the program: the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462). Both categories are intended for travelers who wish to work and explore the country during an extended stay in Australia. Due to high demand, the processing of applications may currently take significantly longer than was typical in previous periods.

It is particularly important for those affected to note that travelers should not make any firm travel plans, flight bookings, or accommodation reservations for Australia until they have received written confirmation that their visa has been granted. Anyone who has already applied or is planning to apply should therefore currently allow for significantly more lead time than was previously recommended.

Applications for the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) are still being accepted and have not been suspended. This visa is available to nationals of certain countries and territories with which Australia has a reciprocal agreement for working holiday programs. However, these applications are also affected by the current processing delays, as Subclass 417 is explicitly among the categories that are currently taking longer to process than usual.

The situation is different for the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462): Initial applications in this category have been temporarily paused for nationals of 24 affected countries. Those who already hold such a visa or have a pending application are not necessarily affected by this suspension—the restriction applies specifically to new initial applications. Travelers should therefore carefully check which visa category is even eligible for their nationality before submitting an application.

For anyone currently considering a Working Holiday stay in Australia, it is recommended—given the current situation—to prepare the application as early as possible and ensure it is complete. Incorrect or incomplete documentation can further extend processing times, which are already longer than usual. Those planning a shorter tourist or business stay may find a faster alternative in the ETA Tourist for Australia or the eVisitor for Australia, provided the requirements are met.

Here at buch-dein-visum.de, we’ll help you carefully prepare your application documents for Australia, check your information for completeness, and keep track of the latest developments regarding processing times for you. You can find an overview of all available visa types for Australia, including costs, on our visa overview page for Australia.