Trips from Australia on a working holiday: Bali, New Zealand and Asia

Can you leave and come back? What it costs to get in, how long the flights are, and how to keep your phone working.

By Drew, who runs Backpack AusUpdated 2 November 2026

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The short answer: yes, you can leave and come back

The working holiday visa (417 or 462) lets you leave Australia and come back as many times as you like while it’s valid. You don’t need a new visa to return.

The catch: the clock keeps running. Your 12 months start the day you first arrive, and time away doesn’t pause it or add it back. So a three-week trip to Bali is three weeks less in Australia, and three weeks less to do your 88 days if you want a second year.

88 days explained

The popular trips

Entry rules and fees change and depend on your passport, so always check the official government site for the country before you book. Use only official sites: unofficial “visa services” charge extra.

Where	Flight time (about)	Getting in	Good for
Bali, Indonesia	2.5 hours from Darwin, 3.5–4 from Perth, about 6 from the east coast	Most nationalities get a visa on arrival or e-VOA (about IDR 500,000), plus Bali’s IDR 150,000 tourist levy	Cheap beach break, surfing, a reset between jobs
New Zealand	About 3 hours from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane	Many nationalities need an NZeTA (NZ$17 in the app, NZ$23 online) plus the NZ$100 visitor levy	Hiking, road trips, the South Island
Thailand, Vietnam and South-East Asia	About 5–9 hours, often via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur	Rules vary by country and passport: check each one	Cheap travel, food, a longer break
Fiji	About 4 hours from Sydney or Brisbane	Many nationalities get a free visitor permit on arrival	Islands and diving

Before you fly out

Check your visa end date. If you’ll be back close to it, make sure you return before it ends.
Some countries want an onward or return ticket before they let you in. Have yours ready.
Your travel insurance: check it covers trips outside Australia, or add cover for the trip.
Tell your employer or hostel, and keep your bank card working overseas.
Mid-88-days? Your days don’t have to be in a row, so a trip between jobs is fine. Just count what you’ve done first.

Check where your 88 days are at

Keep your phone working

Roaming on an Aussie prepaid SIM is expensive. The simple fix is a travel eSIM for the country you’re visiting: buy it before you fly, switch it on when you land, and keep your Aussie number for texts and bank codes.

Airalo Asia

One eSIM for Bali, Thailand, Vietnam and more of Asia.

15% off your first eSIM with code BACKPACKAUS15

Airalo New Zealand

A New Zealand eSIM for a trip across the ditch.

15% off your first eSIM with code BACKPACKAUS15

Airalo Global

One eSIM for a trip through lots of countries.

15% off your first eSIM with code BACKPACKAUS15

Coming back

Re-enter on the same working holiday visa while it’s still valid. Have your passport and the visa grant on your phone.
Declare food, plants and anything natural on the arrival card. Australia’s biosecurity rules are strict, and fines are big.
Coming back to work? Line up a job before you fly. Backpack Aus lets employers find you while you’re away.

Add your card so employers can find you

Quick answers

Can I leave Australia on a working holiday visa and come back?

Yes. The working holiday visa allows multiple entries while it’s valid. You don’t need a new visa to return.

Does time outside Australia extend my working holiday visa?

No. Your 12 months run from the day you first arrived, even while you’re away.

Do I need a visa for Bali from Australia?

Most nationalities need a visa on arrival or e-VOA (about IDR 500,000) and must pay Bali’s IDR 150,000 tourist levy. Check the official Indonesian immigration site for your passport.

Do I need an NZeTA to visit New Zealand?

Many nationalities do, plus a NZ$100 visitor levy. Check Immigration New Zealand’s site for your passport before you book.

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