Skilled · Subclass 462
Work and Holiday visa
Holiday and work for 18 to 30 year olds from 30 countries. Ballot for China, India and Vietnam.
New from 26 October 2026: biometrics for applications made in India. What it means for you →
Who it is for
People aged 18 to 30 from 30 partner countries, including India, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, the United States and others.
Key eligibility
- Age 18 to 30 when you apply.
- Functional English.
- Education requirement set for your country (for India, at least 2 years of post-secondary study).
- A government letter of support for some countries.
- About A$5,000 plus an onward fare; no accompanying dependent children.
- Ballot selection for China, India and Vietnam; country caps apply.
- Health and character.
Where to apply, and bridging visas
First visa: outside Australia when you apply and when it is decided.
Your journey, step by step
Check the ballot and requirements
For China, India and Vietnam, register in the ballot when it opens.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent checks education and English evidence before the ballot.
Apply if selected
Apply online within the time given and pay the charge. If you apply in India, the Department may ask you to give biometrics at a VFS Global centre after you lodge; book an appointment quickly using the instructions in the request letter.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent prepares the evidence quickly.
Grant and stay
Enter within 12 months; stay 12 months.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent explains the work rules.
Second and third visas
Three months of specified work in eligible regional areas for a second visa.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent explains specified work evidence.
The Department of Home Affairs makes every decision. No one can promise a grant, an invitation or a faster decision.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
| Applicant or item | Charge |
|---|---|
| First visa | A$840 |
| Second visa | A$1,000 |
| Third visa | A$1,000 |
Streams: First, Second, Third.
Health checks, police certificates, translations, skills assessments and English tests are extra and paid to the provider. Our professional fee is separate and quoted in writing. Estimate total charges for your family.
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026, read 22 October 2026. Confirm in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
Processing times
Source: Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Home Affairs expects most applications to average about three months. Read 22 October 2026. Check the current Home Affairs guide. A guide only; times change monthly and are not a promise.
Common refusal risks
- Education or English evidence missing.
- Letter of support missing.
- Over age.
- Not selected in the ballot, or applied late.
- Not enough money; character.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience, not Department statistics.
Document checklist
Tick items as you collect them. Ticks are saved in this browser only and are not sent to us. This is a general list; the Department may ask for more.
0 of 0 collected
The Immigration Worldwide. Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130. General information, checked 22 October 2026.
Recent changes
From 26 October 2026, if you apply for this visa in India, the Department may ask you to give biometrics (fingerprints and a facial image). This applies to new applications lodged from that date. The Department sends a request letter with instructions. Most people then book an appointment at a VFS Global Australian Biometrics Collection Centre; some eligible people can use the Australian Immi App instead.
The 2026-27 ballot registrations for China, India and Vietnam closed.
Sources and checks
- Home Affairs: Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
- Home Affairs: Biometrics
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your situation. Australian advice is given by Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130.