The Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) enables eligible young people from countries with bilateral work and holiday arrangements with Australia to travel and work here for up to 12 months. It is parallel to the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) but covers a different set of countries — generally those that are not on the 417 partner country list.
A key difference from the 417 is that the 462 has additional country-specific eligibility requirements, and for many high-demand countries, places are limited by an annual cap with a ballot (lottery) to determine who receives an invitation to apply. Understanding whether your country requires a ballot, and when the ballot opens, is critical to planning your application.
Countries with Work and Holiday (462) Arrangements
Australia has Work and Holiday arrangements with the following countries (list current at August 2026 — confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website before applying, as arrangements can change and new countries may be added):
Eligibility for the Subclass 462
The subclass 462 has both universal requirements that apply to all applicants, and country-specific additional requirements that depend on the arrangement Australia has with your home country. Both sets of requirements must be met.
How the 462 Ballot System Works
For high-demand countries where the number of applicants exceeds the annual cap, the Department of Home Affairs uses a ballot (lottery) system to determine who receives an invitation to apply. Understanding how this works is essential for planning your 462 application.
Each year, the Department sets the number of 462 places available for each capped country. The cap can change from year to year. For high-demand countries like India, China, and Vietnam, demand has consistently exceeded the annual cap — meaning not all eligible applicants who register will receive an invitation. The cap for your country in the current year is published on the DoHA website.
The ballot registration window — the period during which eligible people can register their interest — typically opens mid-year (often July to September) but the exact dates vary each year and by country. When the registration window opens, eligible applicants can submit a registration online. This is not a visa application — it is registration for the ballot only. No charge applies for ballot registration itself.
Once the registration window closes, the Department randomly draws registrations up to the cap for that country. There is no merit-based selection — it is a lottery. Meeting all the eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection. If you are selected, you receive an invitation to apply for the 462 visa and must lodge the visa application within the invitation validity period.
If you register and are not selected, you cannot simply apply without an invitation. You would need to register again in the next year's ballot — if you still meet the age requirement. This means applicants should register as early as possible each year the ballot opens, and factor in the possibility of not being selected in their planning.
Once you have an invitation, you lodge the 462 application in the normal way through ImmiAccount, providing all required documents (government support letter, English evidence, tertiary qualification, health checks if required) and paying the application charge. The invitation is time-limited — you must lodge within the period specified in the invitation.
Work Rights on the Work and Holiday (462) Visa
The subclass 462 grants full work rights in Australia — you may work for any employer in any industry without a sponsor. The conditions are essentially the same as the 417.
Second and Third Year Work and Holiday Grants
Like the 417, the 462 can be extended for a second and third year through the completion of specified regional work. The requirements are the same as for the 417.
| Grant | Specified work required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Second 462 visa | 88 days (3 months) of specified regional work on first 462 | Confirm qualifying work and regional areas on DoHA |
| Third 462 visa | 6 months of specified regional work on second 462 | Confirm current eligibility on DoHA |
Working Holiday (417) vs Work and Holiday (462)
| Feature | Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) | Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible countries | Partner country passport holders (UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea, France, etc.) | Countries with bilateral arrangements (USA, China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, etc.) |
| Age range | 18–30 (up to 35 for some countries including UK, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy) | 18–30 (no country has an extended upper age limit as at August 2026 — confirm on DoHA) |
| Additional requirements | Generally none beyond the universal criteria | Government support letter, tertiary education, functional English (requirements vary by country) |
| Annual caps and ballot | Generally no annual cap or ballot system | Some countries have annual caps and a ballot (lottery) — applicants must hold an invitation before applying |
| 6-month employer limit | Yes (UK passport holders currently exempt — confirm) | Yes (no current exemptions) |
| Study cap | 4 months | 4 months |
| Second year | 88 days regional work (UK exempt from regional work requirement) | 88 days regional work |
| Third year | 6 months regional work | 6 months regional work |
| Application charge | ~AUD 650 (confirm on DoHA) | ~AUD 650 (confirm on DoHA) |
Work and Holiday (462) Questions Answered
This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.
Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.
Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Information current as at August 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.