Working Holiday Authorisation
Official name: Working Holiday Authorisation / Working Holiday Programme
Ireland has working holiday agreements with several countries, run by its embassies. Participants can holiday and do casual work for up to 12 months, with no more than six months with any one employer. Australians aged 18 to 35 apply to the Embassy in Canberra (or London if living in the UK) with at least AUD$5,000, or AUD$2,500 plus a return ticket. Other partners include Canada, New Zealand, the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Chile and Andorra, each with its own age range, fee and quota. Participants register with immigration after arriving.
Life in Ireland
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
102
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–40%
Income tax (national)
VAT 23% · social security 4.2%
40% above EUR 44,000 (single); plus USC of 0.5-8% and PRSI. Tax credits apply.
Living
1
Happiness
#13 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Young citizens of countries with an Irish working holiday agreement.
Eligibility
Example: AustraliaAustralia
Sign in to check this route against your profileAustralian citizens aged 18 to 35 need funds, a valid passport, educational certificates (or a college letter) and a CV with references.
Money to show
- Just you
- AUD$5,000
- With return ticketreturn ticket to Australia
- AUD$2,500
- Age: 18 to 35
- Passport valid at least three months after leaving Ireland
Official wording
Australian citizens aged 18 to 35. Funds: at least AUD$5,000, or AUD$2,500 with a return ticket to Australia. Passport valid at least three months after leaving Ireland. Educational certificates (or a college letter), CV with references.
One authorisation only
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou can get only one authorisation, and it must be activated by arriving within 12 months of issue.
- No extension
- No second application, whether or not the first was used
Official wording
No extension and no second application, whether or not the first was used. Must be activated by arrival within 12 months of issue.
Apply from outside Ireland
Sign in to check this route against your profileApplications are made through the Irish embassy for the applicant's country (Australians in the UK can apply via London). It is not possible to apply from within Ireland.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
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- 1 more requirement
- 4 documents
- 2 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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