Working Holiday Visa 417/462: How to Get 35% of Your Super Back

The Working Holiday Maker rules

Since 2017, Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa holders — that's the subclass 417 (UK, Germany, France, Japan, Korea and many others) and subclass 462 (USA, Argentina, China and others) — pay a special DASP withholding rate of 65%.

That sounds harsh, but the reality is simple: 35% of your super balance is still yours, and most backpackers didn't even know they had super to claim.

Quick math for backpackers

• Earned AUD 50,000 during your year in Oz → super at 12% = $6,000
• Withholding tax (65%) = $3,900
• Refund into your bank ≈ $2,100

Not bad for filling out a form.

Eligibility checklist

• You held a 417 or 462 visa
• You've physically left Australia
• Your visa is cancelled or has expired
• Your super balance is in an Australian fund (AustralianSuper, Hostplus, Rest, etc.)

How long does it take?

Once submitted correctly, the ATO must pay you within 28 days. In practice most WHM backpackers receive the money in 2–4 weeks.

What you'll need to submit

• Passport
• Visa Evidence (VEVO record)
• Tax File Number (TFN)
• Bank details (Australian or international)
• Super fund member number (this is the one people usually don't have — ask your fund's support team by email; they respond in 24–48 hours)

Speed it up

refundmysuper chases your fund, files your DASP paperwork with a TPB-registered agent, and follows up if anything slows down. You upload two documents and we do the rest.

Estimate your refund →