The Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) lets young adults from partner countries live, travel and work in Australia for up to 12 months. It is part of Australia's Working Holiday Maker program, alongside the Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa. From 4 June 2026, applicants from China, India and Vietnam will need to register for a randomised pre application ballot before they can apply.
The Subclass 462 visa is available to passport holders of partner countries that have a Work and Holiday bilateral arrangement with Australia. As of the 2026 27 program year these include Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, Uruguay, the United States of America and Vietnam.
Most partner countries require a letter of support from their government and evidence of tertiary study (or completion of at least two years of undergraduate study). The age cap is 30 for most countries; some countries have negotiated extension to 35.
For applicants from China, India and Vietnam, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced a mandatory pre application ballot. The ballot replaces the previous lodgement race and provides a randomised, transparent way to allocate places where demand exceeds the annual cap.
Ballot key facts
For a detailed breakdown of the ballot, see our news article: New Work and Holiday Subclass 462 Visa Pre Application Ballot Opens 4 June 2026.
To be eligible for a second Subclass 462 visa, you must complete at least three months (88 calendar days) of specified Subclass 462 work in northern Australia or in another specified industry while on your first 462 visa. A third Subclass 462 visa requires six months (179 calendar days) of specified work completed during the second visa. Specified work must be paid at lawful Australian rates and properly evidenced through payslips, employer declarations and bank statements.
The Visa Application Charge for the Subclass 462 visa is currently AUD 670 (indexed each 1 July). The AUD 25 ballot fee is paid separately and is not credited against the Visa Application Charge.
Only for certain passports. From 2026 a pre application ballot applies to China, India and Vietnam, and applicants from those countries must be selected before they can lodge. Applicants from other participating countries continue to apply directly without a ballot.
Entering the ballot costs AUD 25. That fee is separate from, and additional to, the visa application charge, and it is not refunded if you are not selected.
Selected candidates have 28 days from the invitation to lodge a complete visa application. Missing that window forfeits the selection, so documents should be prepared before results are released rather than after.
You generally need to be at least 18 and under 31 at the time of application. A higher age limit applies to passport holders from some participating countries, so check the limit that applies to your nationality before applying.
Generally up to six months with any one employer, with limited exceptions where permission is granted or where the work falls into specified categories. Plan longer stays around more than one employer.
Yes. A second visa generally requires a period of specified work in an eligible industry and region, and a third requires a further period of specified work completed while holding the second. The work must be properly evidenced with payslips and employer records.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalised guidance on the Work and Holiday visa, please contact our team.