New Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa pre‑application process
In the 2024-25 program year, the Government will implement a visa pre-application (ballot) process with an AUD25 registration fee for the following high-demand Work and Holiday (subclass 462) countries: China, Vietnam and India.
This pre-application process, also known as a ‘ballot’, provides an equitable, streamlined and transparent means of randomly selecting applicants from partner countries where the number of registrations significantly exceeds the number of places available in a program year.
Commencement of new arrangements
Registrations for the first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa ballots for China, Vietnam and India will open later in 2024.
We will publish further information, including the registration open periods for each of these partner countries, later in 2024.
The visa pre-application (ballot) process
A ballot is an electronic random selection process, with selected entrants invited to apply for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa online.
Why a ballot for selected Work and Holiday partner countries is required
A ballot aims to provide an equitable, streamlined and transparent means of selecting applicants, where the number of registrations significantly exceeds the number of places available for a participant country in a program year.
A visa pre-application process for selected countries only
While some Work and Holiday participant countries are high demand and usually reach their cap each year, other participant countries are considered low demand and do not meet their allocated places. Ballot arrangements would not be suitable for low demand countries.
The new pre-application process will introduce ballots for first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants from China, Vietnam and India in the 2024-25 program year. We anticipate the demand from these countries will substantially exceed available places.
Second and third Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants
The pre-application process will only apply to first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants from China, Vietnam and India.
China, Vietnam and India nationals already granted a first Work and Holiday visa can continue applying for a second or third Work and Holiday visa online via ImmiAccount.
Current arrangements for first, second and third Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants from other participant countries will also continue.
Working Holiday (subclass 417) partner countries
First Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa places are not capped. There is no need to introduce a ballot to manage the Working Holiday application lodgement process.
Work and Holiday (subclass 462) ballot registration fee
The AUD25 ballot registration fee is consistent with other visa programs that use the ballot process, like the Pacific Engagement (subclass 192) visa.
The AUD25 ballot registration fee is only a small additional amount compared to the Visa Application Charge to apply for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa, which is AUD650.
How the Department will conduct a ballot
We have developed new systems capability to conduct ballots.
Those interested in registering for a ballot will be able to submit an online registration form via ImmiAccount. The system will randomly select valid registrations electronically.
We will notify selected registrants and give them a timeframe to make an online visa application.
Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa program for China
We could not implement a pre-application (ballot) process to manage Chinese nationals’ high level of interest to apply for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa this program year, as legislation and systems changes took longer than expected. As a result, we have paused applications from China.
The Work and Holiday (subclass 462) program for China will reopen later in 2024.
Further information on Work and Holiday (subclass 462) arrangements for Chinese nationals is available in English and Mandarin at
Australian Embassy in China.
