Fancy working and travelling around the UK for up to three years? The Youth Mobility Scheme visa lets Australians aged 18 to 35 do exactly that, with no quota to worry about. Here is what it costs, how to apply and what your time in Britain can actually look like.
- Who
- Australia passport holders
- Age
- 18–35
- Stay
- up to 3 years
- Cost
- ~£340 + £776/yr health surcharge
- Places
- Uncapped for Australia
What the Visa Is and Who It Suits
The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is the UK's working holiday route for Australians aged 18 to 35 (you must apply before turning 36). Unlike some working holiday schemes, Australia has no annual quota, so you are not racing against a cap. It suits anyone wanting genuine flexibility: bar work in London, a ski season, temping between road trips, or building UK work experience. It is not tied to a single employer or job type, which makes it far more open-ended than a standard sponsored work visa.
How to Apply and the Key Steps
Apply online through the UK government website before your 36th birthday. You will need a valid passport, proof of £2,530 in savings held continuously for 28 days before you apply, and payment of the visa fee (around £340) plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 per year of your visa). Decisions typically come back within a few weeks, though it is worth applying with plenty of runway before your intended travel date. Once approved, you get an initial visa for 24 months, which as an Australian you can later extend by a further year.
What You Can Actually Do There
This visa lets you work in almost any job, employed or self-employed (with some restrictions on professional sports and setting up as a doctor), and you can study too. Many Australians use it as a base for exploring the UK and hopping across to Europe on weekends or between jobs. You can change employers freely, so it suits seasonal work, hospitality, office temping or freelance gigs. With up to three years available once extended, there is real scope to settle into a city, build a CV, and travel properly rather than just passing through.
Tips and Common Mistakes
Do not let your savings dip below £2,530 during the required 28-day holding period, even briefly, as this can trigger a refusal. Budget properly for the health surcharge, which is charged upfront for the full length of your visa and adds up fast. Apply well before your 36th birthday, since eligibility is fixed on the date you submit, not when you travel. Remember the extension to three years is not automatic, so check the requirements and timing before your initial 24 months run out.
Common questions
Can Australians extend the UK Youth Mobility visa beyond 2 years
Yes. Australians can extend their initial 24-month Youth Mobility visa by a further year, giving a maximum stay of three years in total, unlike some other nationalities on this scheme.
How much money do I need for the UK working holiday visa
You need £2,530 in savings, held continuously in your account for at least 28 days before you submit your application, in addition to covering the visa and health surcharge fees.
Is there a limit on Australians getting the UK Youth Mobility visa
No. Australia has an uncapped allocation on the Youth Mobility Scheme, so unlike some other countries on the scheme, you are not competing for a limited number of places.
Kiera leads our working-holiday and visa coverage — the eligibility rules, the fees, and the fine print that actually decides whether you can go. She's most at home on the Australia and New Zealand routes and keeps it plain, with every number checked against the official government source.
Guidance only — youth-mobility rules, ages, quotas and fees change. Always confirm on the official government page before you book flights or apply.
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