What is the age limit for Australians on the Youth Mobility Scheme?

Australian citizens can apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme up to age 35 (inclusive), rather than the standard age limit of 30 that applies to most other nationalities. This gives Australians more time to use this visa route.

Do Australians need to enter a ballot for the YMS?

No. There is no ballot or cap for Australian applicants. You can apply directly at any time, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements.

How long can Australians stay on the YMS?

The visa is granted for 2 years. There is no option to extend. However, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa or other visa category from inside the UK before your YMS expires.

Can Australians apply for the YMS more than once?

No. You can only use the Youth Mobility Scheme once, regardless of whether you stayed for the full 2 years or left early.

Youth Mobility Scheme for Australians 2026

Australia is one of the most popular nationalities for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme. Australians benefit from a higher age limit (35 instead of 30), no ballot requirement, and uncapped places. This guide covers eligibility, costs, work rights, and options for staying in the UK beyond 2 years.

Eligibility for Australians

Australian citizens can apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme if they:

Are aged 18 to 35 (inclusive) at the time of application
Hold a valid Australian passport
Have at least £2,530 in savings
Have not previously used the YMS
Have no unspent criminal convictions
Have no dependants they want to bring

There is no ballot for Australians and no cap on places. You can apply directly whenever you are ready.

Costs

The total cost for the YMS visa in 2026 is:

Visa fee: £298
Immigration Health Surcharge: £2,070 (£1,035 x 2 years)
Total: approximately £2,368
Savings requirement: £2,530 in your bank account

See our UK visa fees guide for comparison with other visa routes.

Work Rights

On the YMS, you can work for any employer in almost any role. See our YMS work rights guide for details. The only restrictions are professional sportsperson and sports coach roles.

Many Australians use the YMS to gain UK work experience in their field, work in hospitality, or combine work with travel.

How to Apply

Apply online on GOV.UK
Pay the visa fee and IHS
Book a biometric appointment at a VFS centre in Australia
Submit your documents (passport, bank statements)
Wait for a decision (approximately 3 weeks)

VFS centres are available in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, and other cities. See our biometrics guide.

Staying Beyond 2 Years

The YMS cannot be extended. If you want to stay in the UK beyond 2 years, your main options are:

Skilled Worker visa. Switch from YMS to Skilled Worker from inside the UK if you find an employer willing to sponsor you.
Ancestry visa. If you have a UK-born grandparent, you may qualify for the Ancestry visa (5 years, path to ILR).
Other routes. Family visas, Student visas, and other categories are available depending on your circumstances.

Start exploring your options well before your YMS expires. See our YMS to Skilled Worker guide and YMS requirements guide.

Next Steps

Related guides: