Latest news
New Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa pre-application (ballot) process
The Government is implementing a new visa pre-application (ballot) process for some high demand Work and Holiday partner countries.
The new pre-application process introduces visa ballots for first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants from China, Vietnam and India.
On 1 October 2024, separate visa ballots for China, India and Vietnam will open. These will allow eligible passport holders to register for the possibility to be randomly selected to apply for a first Work and Holiday visa.
For more information, see
New Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa pre-application process.
India joins the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa
On 16 September 2024, India officially joined the Working Holiday Maker visa program. They became the 50th Working Holiday Maker partner country. We have reached this agreement under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA).
From 1 October 2024, eligible Indian passport holders can register in a visa ballot. This gives them the possibility to be randomly selected to apply for a first Work and Holiday visa to Australia. We will invite selected participants to lodge an online visa application.
Each program year we may grant a first Work and Holiday visa up to 1,000 eligible Indian citizens aged between 18 and 30. They can then visit Australia for one year, and undertake work and short-term study while holidaying. If they meet certain requirements, they are eligible to apply for a subsequent Work and Holiday visa.
For information on the Work and Holiday visa ballot for India including the registration and selection open and closing dates, see
New Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa pre-application process.
Natural Disaster Recovery Work
From 2 February 2024, Working Holiday Makers can count paid or volunteer work for natural disasters recovery work as specified work. This means work in declared areas affected by cyclones or other severe weather counts as ‘specified work’ to apply for a second or third WHM visa. Working Holiday makers must have carried out this work from 31 December 2021 in declared disaster affected areas. We will continue to recognize bushfire recovery work carried out since 31 July 2019 and flood recovery work carried out since 31 December 2021.
Further details on the new extended specified work arrangements for Working Holiday (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa holders are available under
Specified work and conditions.
For more information, see
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs’ media release.
Work and Holiday Maker arrangement with the Philippines
The Governments of Australia and the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa arrangement on 8 September 2023. For more information, see the Prime Minister’s announcement.
These arrangements will let up to 200 young Filipino and Australian passport holders enjoy a 12-month holiday in each other’s country each year. They can do short-term work and study during their holiday.
Both countries are now undertaking the administrative arrangements necessary before launching the program in the coming months.
We will publish a
start date and other details on this page as soon as all arrangements are finalised. This will include advice to Filipino passport holders on how to get a Letter of Concurrence (LoC) from their Government, as well as any specific application requirements for Australian passport holders.
Australia and UK Free Trade Agreement
Australia and the UK have put in place new arrangements under the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program and Youth Mobility Scheme, following the entry into force of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (Australia-UK FTA) on 31 May 2023.
Under these arrangements, UK passport holders who:
- apply on or after 1 July 2024 for a second or third Working Holiday visa no longer have to meet the specified work requirement
- apply on or after 1 July 2023 for a Working Holiday visa can be aged between 18 and 35 years inclusive at time of application
Other partner country arrangements under the WHM program are established through bilateral negotiations. The Australia and UK FTA will not affect these arrangements
For more information, see
New Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa arrangements for UK passport holders
Visa condition 8547 (max. 6 months work with same employer)
Working Holiday Makers in Australia can work in any occupation or industry while in Australia. Mandatory visa condition 8547 limits you to a maximum period of 6 months’ work with any one employer.
Visa condition 8547 applies unless your work falls within one of the blanket exemptions or you meet one of the grounds to obtain written permission to work for the same employer longer than six months.
For details, visit
Visa condition 8547 - 6-month work limitation.
Processing timeframes
The Department is currently receiving a high number of Working Holiday (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applications and we are experiencing visa processing delays. As a result, your application may take longer than usual to be finalised.
Applications are assessed as quickly as possible and on an individual basis. The processing office will contact you or your nominated legal representative if further information is required. We will let you know the outcome of your application in writing.
Do not arrange to travel to Australia until we let you know, in writing, that we have granted you the visa.
If you wish to check the status of your application, upload new information or respond to requests for information, you can do this via
ImmiAccount.
Visa applications that contain all required information may be finalised faster than the published
processing times.
