What you can do
Both the 417 and 462 grant full work rights: any kind of work, anywhere in the country. The one structural limit is time with a single employer, generally six months, with limited exceptions in specific regional or industry circumstances.
Where the work is
Pay, tax and super
| Item | What applies |
|---|---|
| Casual minimum wage | Around A$33.05 per hour [VERIFY] |
| Tax | The working holiday maker tax table applies from your first dollar |
| Superannuation | Employer-paid above a monthly threshold, reclaimable when you leave |
| Same employer limit | 6 months, general rule |
See the dedicated Tax File Number and superannuation guides for the mechanics of each.
Finding your first job
- Have an Australian-format resume ready before you land
- Walk-ins for hospitality and retail still work
- Use a job board, including Educli's International Job Board
- A soft landing package's first-job push, if you're using one
Hospitality, retail and farm work cover most first jobs.
Your rights, regardless of visa status
You're protected by the same Australian workplace laws as any other worker: minimum wage, safe working conditions, and protection from exploitation. If an employer pressures you into cash-in-hand work or threatens your visa status over a workplace complaint, that's a workplace law issue independent of your immigration status. Reporting genuine underpayment or unsafe conditions doesn't put your visa at risk.
If a second year is the plan
Regional specified work counts toward eligibility for a second and third visa. See the full second and third year guide for the 88 and 179 day rules.