The national minimum wage rose to $26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026, and award rates went up 4.75%. Casual fruit pickers now get at least $32.18 an hour.
Working holiday visa fees rose on 1 July 2026: a first 417 or 462 visa is now AUD 840. Plus age limits are checked on the day you apply, and more countries have a 35 age limit.
Home Affairs says it is normalising working holiday visa processing, and expects most applications to take around three months. Do not book flights until your visa is granted.
The government has announced a ballot for second and third year working holiday visas, with 45,000 and 5,000 places. It is not in force yet. Here is what it means for your 88 days.
