In a job interview on a working holiday visa in Australia, answer the work-rights question in one sentence, then state exactly how long you can work for this employer: usually up to 6 months with the same employer, or longer if the job falls under one of the Home Affairs exemptions such as tourism and hospitality, agriculture or aged care. Employers mostly want to know three things: that you can legally work, when you can start, and how long you will stay.
This guide explains the visa rules that shape those answers (as of October 2026, from the Department of Home Affairs and the Fair Work Ombudsman), the questions you are likely to get, and example answers we wrote. It is general information, not migration advice: always check the official pages for your own visa.
What does the 6-month rule mean for your job interview?
Working Holiday Maker visas carry condition 8547. According to the Home Affairs page on the 6 month work limitation, it applies to anyone holding any kind of Working Holiday Maker visa (the Working Holiday visa, subclass 417, and the Work and Holiday visa, subclass 462), and it covers full-time, part-time, casual, shift and voluntary work. Usually, you can only work for the same employer for 6 months.
From 1 January 2024, Home Affairs lists exemptions that let you work for the same employer for more than 6 months without asking permission. The page says these apply until the Government makes further decisions:
| Exemption (as listed by Home Affairs) | Where it applies | What it means in an interview |
|---|---|---|
| Different locations for the same employer, with no more than 6 months in any one location (working from home counts as a change of location) | Anywhere in Australia | Chains and multi-site employers may be able to keep you longer by moving you between sites |
| Plant and animal cultivation | Anywhere in Australia | Farm and harvest roles are not capped at 6 months |
| Natural disaster recovery work | Anywhere in Australia | Recovery and clean-up work is not capped |
| Critical sectors: agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care, childcare, tourism and hospitality | Anywhere in Australia | Cafes, hotels, bars, tour operators, care providers and hospitals can employ you for longer |
| Fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction, mining | Northern Australia only (eligible postcodes are listed by Home Affairs) | Check the postcode before you promise a longer stay |
If none of the exemptions fit, Home Affairs says it may give permission to work longer than 6 months for the same employer if you have applied for a visa that allows ongoing full-time work and are awaiting the outcome, or if your work is critical to your employer and you attach a supporting letter from them. You apply through an online form, and the 6 months start again when a new Working Holiday Maker visa is granted.
The other visa facts employers ask about
The Home Affairs page for the first Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) sets out the basics an employer may ask about, as of October 2026:
- Age: the visa is for people aged 18 to 30, or 35 for some countries.
- Length of stay: up to 12 months from the date you first enter Australia, and you can leave and re-enter during that time.
- Work: you can do any kind of work, subject to the 6-month rule above.
- Study: up to 4 months (17 weeks).
- Second visa: 3 months of "specified work" can make you eligible for a second Working Holiday visa. If you are planning this, an employer in an eligible industry will want to know.
- Checking your conditions: Home Affairs points visa holders to VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) to see their work entitlements and when they must leave.
The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) has its own eligibility rules by country, so read the page for your visa rather than assuming the details are identical.
How do you answer "How long can you work for us?"
This is the question that decides most working holiday interviews. Answer with a date, not a feeling. A good answer has three parts: your visa end date, the limit that applies to this job, and what you are offering within it.
Example answer we wrote (non-exempt office or retail role):
"I'm on a Working Holiday visa until August next year. Under my visa conditions I can work for the same employer for up to six months, so I'm available full-time from 3 November to early May. I'm happy to commit to that full period, and I can give you a firm end date now so you can plan the handover."
Example answer we wrote (hospitality, tourism or care role):
"My visa runs until August next year, and because hospitality is one of the sectors Home Affairs exempts from the six-month limit, I can work for you for the whole time I'm here. I'm looking to stay in one place rather than move around, so I'd like to commit to the full period."
Example answer we wrote (you are applying for another visa):
"My working holiday visa ends in March. I'm exploring other visa options, but I don't want to promise anything I can't guarantee, so please plan on March as my end date. If anything changes, I'll tell you straight away."
Never overstate how long you can stay to win the job. If you later have to leave early, you lose the reference you came for.
Questions you are likely to be asked (and how to handle them)
Most interviews for working holiday roles are short: a phone call, a chat with the manager, and often a trial shift in hospitality. Expect these questions:
- "What visa are you on and do you have work rights?" State the visa and its end date in one sentence. Have your visa grant notice or VEVO result ready to show if asked.
- "When can you start?" Give a date. "Monday" beats "soon".
- "How long are you in town for?" Use the three-part answer above.
- "What are your plans after this?" Be honest and brief, and connect it to the job: "I want to save enough to travel up the east coast in May, so steady full-time hours suit me."
- "Have you done this kind of work before?" Give one specific example, ideally with a result. A short behavioural answer works here even for casual roles.
- "Are you available weekends and evenings?" Be clear about what you can and cannot do. Hospitality and retail managers build rosters around this answer.
- "Can you do a trial shift?" See the next section before you agree to anything long.
For office and professional roles, expect a fuller process with behavioural questions, a "tell me about yourself" opener and a resume walk-through. Our guide to the Australian resume vs a US resume covers what to change on your resume, including a one-line statement of your work rights.
Your rights as a visa holder: pay and trial shifts
The Fair Work Ombudsman says visa holders and migrant workers have the same workplace rights and protections as all other employees in Australia, including pay, leave, protection from discrimination, and notice of termination and final pay. Knowing this helps you spot a bad offer at the interview stage.
- Minimum pay: the Fair Work minimum wages page lists the National Minimum Wage as $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, as of 1 July 2026. Most employees are covered by an award or agreement, which may set higher rates, including penalty rates. An offer of a flat cash rate below the award is a red flag regardless of your visa.
- Unpaid trials: the Fair Work Ombudsman explains that an unpaid work trial may be unlawful if it is not necessary to demonstrate the skills for the job, lasts longer than needed (which could range from an hour to one shift, depending on the work), involves more than a demonstration of your skills, or is not under direct supervision. Anything beyond that must be paid at the minimum rate.
It is reasonable to ask in the interview: "Is the trial paid, and how long is it?" and "Which award covers this role?" A good employer will answer without hesitation. For how to talk about pay in general, see how to answer salary expectations in Australia.
How to prepare in an evening
- Write your visa sentence. Visa type, end date, and the limit for this job. Say it out loud until it takes under ten seconds.
- Pick two stories. One about working hard under pressure (a busy shift, a deadline) and one about dealing with a difficult customer or colleague. Structure them with the free STAR story builder.
- Know your availability. Days, hours, start date and end date.
- Prepare two questions. Roster patterns, training, and whether the role could move you between sites. Our list of questions to ask the interviewer has more.
- Read the Australian context. Our job interview tips for Australia cover references, interview formats and local norms.
To rehearse, CoPilot Interview's free browser AI mock interview needs nothing installed. The Mock Interview mode in the desktop app (Windows and macOS) builds questions from your resume and the job ad, reads each question aloud and scores your spoken answer out of 10 with what worked, what to fix and a model answer. The free plan gives you 15 minutes a day with no account and no credit card.
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Can I work for one employer for more than 6 months on a working holiday visa?
Usually not, but Home Affairs lists exemptions, as of October 2026. You can work longer for the same employer if you work in different locations (no more than 6 months in any one), in plant and animal cultivation, in natural disaster recovery, in critical sectors such as tourism and hospitality, aged and disability care, health, childcare, agriculture and food processing, or in certain industries in Northern Australia. Check the official page for your situation.
Should I tell an employer I am on a working holiday visa?
Yes. Employers need to know you have work rights and how long you can stay. Say it in one sentence with your visa end date and the limit that applies to the job, and have your visa details ready to show.
How do I answer "how long can you work for us?" on a working holiday visa?
Give your visa end date, the limit that applies to this job (6 months, or longer if the sector is exempt), and a firm commitment within that period. Never promise more time than your visa allows.
Do working holiday makers get the same pay as other workers?
Yes. The Fair Work Ombudsman says visa holders have the same workplace rights and protections as all other employees in Australia. As of 1 July 2026 the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, and many awards set higher rates.
Is an unpaid trial shift legal in Australia?
Only in limited cases. The Fair Work Ombudsman says an unpaid trial may be unlawful if it lasts longer than needed to demonstrate your skills, goes beyond a demonstration, or is not under direct supervision. Anything beyond that must be paid.
How old do you have to be for a working holiday visa in Australia?
Home Affairs says the first Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is for people aged 18 to 30, or 35 for some countries. The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) has its own country-based rules, so check the official page for your passport.