New Australia immigration

Hi, I had a WHV (1 year) back in 2008/9. I didn’t complete any farm work for my 88 days and believe from 1st July I can return on a second WHV without proving any farm work etc.

I am 35 in May, will be applying and hopefully arriving in Aus (Perth) as soon as it’s approved so all going well very start of July.

My question is however, I want to them remain in Australia and complete my third year WHV, but by then I will be 36 (turn 36 in 2025). How far in advance can I apply for my third year? My reason for asking is let’s say I get my visa granted on 1st July, I then arrive 5th July into Aus, my birthday is 7th May… so really it’s around 8 weeks into my 36th birthday - if I apply say mid April; that is only around 2.5 months before my second visa expires - can this be done? Many thanks in advance for reading and helping x

From how I read things, all of it assuming you are a UK citizen:

You must be 35 when applying for the visa (that can be the day before your 36th birthday, though I wouldn't stretch it quite that far).
From the "Eligibility" page, "Be This Age" section:

If you apply for the visa while you are 30 (or 35), but turn 31 (or 36) before we have made a decision, we can still grant you the visa if you meet all other requirements.]

and from the news page New Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa arrangements for UK passport holders

UK passport holders can lodge an application for any Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa until midnight (Australian Eastern Standard Time) on the day before their 36th birthday.

...and then you can stay a full 12 months beyond the end of your 2nd year visa (so even beyond the day when you turn 37)
From the When you have this visa page, "How long you can stay" section:

You were in Australia on your second subclass 417 visa ...

You can stay in Australia for up to 12 months from the date your second Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa expired or would have expired.

The eligibility requirements for the third WHV currently still state "You must have completed 6 months of specified subclass 417 work.". I assume that part will simply no longer be in effect for UK citizens, and so you could apply for a third year WHV the day after entering Australia on a second WHV - but there's no information about it. It might be that they'll still want you to wait 6 months before applying for the third visa? Probably not - but even if, then when entering on 5th July, you'd still have the comfortable gap of 7th January through 6th May to apply.

Anyway, check that Eligibility extra carefully when it updates (presumably on the 1st of July) - until then, nothing is completely certain.

[ Edit: Edited on 5 Jan 2024, 09:36 GMT by Sander ]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and give me that information. Greatly appreciated!!

It makes sense, can I ask one further question please - so you know when I apply for my second WHV, I need to be in the country to make it ‘activate’ so let’s say I apply on 1st July, it gets granted … arrive the 5th of July 2024, the visa expires on July 2025. I apply 6 months when in Aus for my third WHV, I take it… it just starts when my other runs out effectively so it’s always there…. Just waiting to kick in.. so really csn have 2 full years in Australia and hopefully then get sponsorship. I am a customer service manager here in the uk so hoping to get a good job and get sponsored in that time.

I always thought that I couldn’t apply for that visa for my third year until 60 days roughly before my other ran out so good news I can apply regardless

I am a British citizen!