417 vs 462: how the specified work rules differ
Updated 12 August 2026
The 417 and 462 visas share the same 88-day idea, but the fine print differs. Checking against the wrong subclass is one of the easiest ways to get this wrong.
Same categories, different areas
- Farm work (plant and animal cultivation): 417 — Regional Australia; 462 — Northern or Regional Australia
- Construction: 417 — Regional Australia; 462 — Northern or Regional Australia
- Fishing and pearling: 417 — Regional Australia; 462 — Northern Australia only
- Tree farming and felling: 417 — Regional Australia; 462 — Northern Australia only
- Tourism and hospitality: identical for both — northern and remote areas plus four extra postcodes
Mining: the big difference
Mining is a specified work category for the 417 visa in Regional Australia. It is not a specified subclass 462 work category at all — mine work will not help you get a second 462 visa.
Side by side
| Work category | 417 Working Holiday | 462 Work and Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Plant & animal cultivation (farm work) | Regional Australia | Northern or Regional Australia |
| Construction | Regional Australia | Northern or Regional Australia |
| Fishing & pearling | Regional Australia | Northern Australia only |
| Tree farming & felling | Regional Australia | Northern Australia only |
| Mining | Regional Australia | Does not count |
| Tourism & hospitality | Northern + Remote/Very Remote + 4 extra postcodes | Same as 417 |
| Bushfire / disaster recovery | Declared areas (paid or volunteer) | Same as 417 |
| Critical COVID-19 healthcare | Anywhere | Anywhere |
| UK passport exemption | Yes, from 1 July 2024 | No |
Who uses which visa
Your passport decides your subclass. The 417 covers 19 mostly European and East Asian passports plus Canada; the 462 covers around 30 countries including the United States, China, India, Vietnam and most of South America.
UK passport holders (417) are exempt from specified work for second and third visas from 1 July 2024. No equivalent exemption currently exists for any 462 passport.
Common questions
Does mining work count for a 462 visa?
No. Mining is a specified work category for the 417 Working Holiday visa only (in Regional Australia). It is not in the subclass 462 instrument at all, so mine work will not qualify you for a second or third 462 visa.
Are the tourism and hospitality rules different between 417 and 462?
No — they're identical. For both visas, tourism and hospitality work counts only in Northern Australia, Remote and Very Remote Australia, and postcodes 4406, 4416, 4498 and 7215, for work after 21 June 2021.
Can I switch from 462 to 417 to unlock more areas?
No — your passport determines which subclass you can hold. No passport is eligible for both.
Official sources
Migration (Specified work and areas for subclass 417 visas) Instrument (LIN 22/012) 2022 — Compilation No. 3
Federal Register of Legislation · last checked 12 August 2026
View official government source ↗Migration (Specified work and areas for subclass 462 visas) Instrument (LIN 22/013) 2022 — Compilation No. 3
Federal Register of Legislation · last checked 12 August 2026
View official government source ↗Working Holiday Maker program
Department of Home Affairs · last checked 12 August 2026
View official government source ↗New WHM arrangements for UK passport holders
Department of Home Affairs · last checked 12 August 2026
View official government source ↗