How much money for a working holiday in Australia?

Australia's working holiday visa (subclass 417) is one of the most popular gaps in the world — but before you book flights, you need to know exactly how much money to have in the bank. Between the visa fee, the proof-of-funds requirement, and the real cost of your first month, the number is higher than most people expect.

Visa application fee

The current application fee for the subclass 417 Working Holiday visa is approximately AUD 670 (as of mid-2026 — always verify the current amount on the Department of Home Affairs website before you apply, as fees are reviewed annually). The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online when you lodge your application through ImmiAccount. There is no separate biometrics or health exam fee for most nationalities applying for a first 417 visa.

Proof of funds: AUD 5,000 + onward ticket

The Department of Home Affairs requires working holiday visa holders to have sufficient funds to support themselves throughout their stay. The widely-cited benchmark is AUD 5,000 in accessible savings, plus either a return or onward flight ticket — or the funds to buy one. For a full breakdown of what counts and how to show it, see our guide to proof of funds for a working holiday visa.

You are not typically asked to show a bank statement at the airport, but immigration officers can request it. More practically, the AUD 5,000 benchmark is what your bank account should show if you want to be ready for any scenario, including a landlord or employer who asks for proof of funds.

• AUD 5,000 in a savings or transaction account — liquid funds only; credit card limits do not count
• Return or onward flight booking, or equivalent funds to purchase one
• Bank statement dated within the last 3 months showing your name and balance
• If you carry or transfer AUD 10,000 or more, you must declare it on your incoming passenger card

First-month budget breakdown

Your first month in Australia is typically your most expensive — you're paying for accommodation before you've found a share house, eating out before you have a kitchen, and buying gear you didn't pack. Here's a realistic weekly and monthly breakdown for someone based in a major city like Sydney or Melbourne.

• Hostel dorm bed: AUD 180–320 per week (varies significantly by city and season)
• Food and groceries: AUD 80–150 per week (cooking in hostel kitchen cuts costs sharply)
• Local SIM card: AUD 30–50 for the first month (prepaid plans from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone)
• Public transport: AUD 50–100 per week depending on how much you're moving around
• Rental bond: AUD 1,000–2,000 if you move into a share house (typically 4 weeks' rent in advance plus bond)
• Incidentals (toiletries, clothing, entertainment): AUD 100–200 per month

Buffer until your first paycheck

Most Australian employers pay weekly or fortnightly. If you start work in week one, you could receive your first pay within 7–14 days — but payroll processing delays and the time needed to open a bank account and get a Tax File Number (TFN) mean two to four weeks of zero income is a realistic expectation.

Add up four weeks of the costs above and you're looking at AUD 1,800–3,000 in living expenses before you earn anything. This is why AUD 5,000 is the minimum — not a comfortable buffer.

Sample totals: how much to save before you fly

Putting it all together, here are realistic total savings targets before you board the plane.

• Bare minimum (tight budget, shared hostel, start work fast): AUD 5,000 + return flight
• Comfortable buffer (first month covered, small emergency fund): AUD 7,000–8,000
• Recommended if you want to travel first or take your time finding work: AUD 10,000+
• Remember: these are arrival savings — not counting the visa fee you'll pay before you leave home

How Tern helps

Tern's proof-of-funds statement generator lets you export a clean, dated summary of your balance to show immigration officers, landlords, or employers — no more hunting for the right bank statement format. You can fund your Tern account from home at the real mid-market rate before you fly, so you land with AUD already in your pocket at zero markup. Once you start work, your salary arrives on payday with no holding delays, and Tern charges no ATM fees so every dollar you withdraw is yours.