If you have ever dreamed of living and working in Australia while exploring one of the world’s most breathtaking countries, the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) was made for you. And right now, the clock is ticking — the ballot registration window for the 2026–27 programme year is officially open, but only until 25 June 2026. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is the Work & Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)?
The Subclass 462 is an Australian temporary visa that allows young adults from eligible partner countries to live, work, and travel across Australia for up to 12 months. It is part of Australia’s broader Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program — one of the most generous cultural exchange initiatives in the world — which now spans 50 partner countries as of India’s historic entry in September 2024 under the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA).
The visa is not just a holiday permit. It gives you the freedom to fund your adventures through short-term employment, gain international work experience, and potentially extend your stay well beyond the initial year.
By the Numbers: In the 2023–24 programme year, over 33,000 Subclass 462 visas were granted globally, with a grant approval rate exceeding 85%. The WHM program has tracked an upward trend every year since Australia’s borders reopened post-COVID-19.
Who Can Apply?
The Subclass 462 is open to passport holders from 30 eligible countries, including India, China, Vietnam, the United States of America, Indonesia, Argentina, Turkey, Thailand, and more.
To be eligible, you must:
• Be aged 18 to 30 at the time of application (inclusive)
• Hold a valid passport from an eligible Subclass 462 country
• Not have previously entered Australia on a Subclass 462 or Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa
• Hold functional English proficiency — demonstrated through an accepted test (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge CAE). For PTE, a minimum total score of 30 across all four skills is typically required
• Meet minimum education requirements — generally a tertiary qualification or completion of at least two years of undergraduate study
• Have access to at least AUD $5,000 in personal funds (plus return airfare costs)
• Meet Australia’s standard health and character requirements, which may include a medical examination and police clearance certificate
• Not hold an official or diplomatic passport (these are ineligible)
Some nationalities also require a letter of support from their home government before lodging an application. This varies by country — your Edvise Hub consultant can confirm whether this applies to you.
Unsure where to start? Get a personalised, step-by-step walkthrough with our Registered Migration Agents.
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The Ballot Process — Who Needs It and How It Works
For applicants from China, India, and Vietnam, a pre-application ballot process applies due to significantly high demand exceeding available visa places. This ballot is your mandatory first step before you can lodge a full visa application.
🗓️ Key Dates for 2026–27
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Ballot Registration Opens | 4 June 2026 |
| Ballot Registration Closes | 25 June 2026 (AEST) |
| Random Selection Period | 2 July 2026 – 30 April 2027 |
The selection process is entirely random and automated. The Department of Home Affairs will not consider compassionate requests or prioritise based on any personal circumstance. Once registered, your entry remains valid for all selection rounds throughout the entire programme year — you do not need to re-register.
If selected, you will receive an email notification and will have just 28 calendar days to lodge your full visa application through your ImmiAccount. Missing this deadline means waiting for the next available round.
Important: You must be outside Australia when lodging your first Subclass 462 visa application, although you can register for the ballot from anywhere in the world.
For countries not subject to the ballot (such as the USA, Indonesia, and Argentina), eligible applicants can apply directly — no lottery step required.
What Does It Cost?
Understanding the full cost involved helps you plan ahead:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ballot Registration Fee (China, India & Vietnam only) | AUD $25 (non-refundable) |
| Visa Application Fee (if selected/eligible to apply) | Approx. AUD $635 |
The ballot fee is charged at registration and is not refunded regardless of whether you are selected. The visa application fee is only payable once you have been invited to apply and proceed with your full application.
Additional costs to factor in may include English language testing fees, police clearance certificates, and medical examination fees if required.
Benefits of the Subclass 462 Visa
This visa is genuinely one of Australia’s most flexible and rewarding temporary visa options for young people. Here is why thousands of applicants pursue it every year:
✅ Up to 12 Months in Australia — live, explore, and work at your own pace across cities, regional towns, and coastlines.
✅ Multiple Entry — arrive and depart Australia as many times as you like during the visa validity period.
✅ Work Flexibility — work for the same employer for up to 6 months (with exemptions in key sectors such as aged care, healthcare, and regional industries where you may continue longer).
✅ Short-Term Study — enrol in courses or language schools for up to 4 months.
✅ Path to a Second & Third Year Visa — complete 88 days (approx. 3 months) of specified work in a regional area and you can apply for a second Subclass 462 visa. Complete 6 months of specified regional work on your second visa and you become eligible for a third year. Specified work includes farming, construction, mining, tourism and hospitality, and disaster recovery work.
✅ No Job Offer Required — unlike skilled work visas, you do not need an employer sponsor or a points score to qualify.
✅ Cultural Exchange & Career Growth — build internationally recognised work experience, expand your professional network, and develop real-world skills in a new country.
India’s Milestone Entry — What It Means
India joined the WHM program as the 50th partner country in September 2024 — a historic milestone under the AI-ECTA. For Indian nationals, the programme allocates up to 1,000 Subclass 462 visa places per year. Given this limited cap and the level of interest from India’s young population, the ballot is highly competitive. If you are an Indian passport holder aged 18–30, registering before 25 June 2026 is critical — this is your one opportunity for the 2026–27 year.
How to Register — Step by Step
- Create or log into your ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Register for the ballot during the open window (4–25 June 2026)
- Pay the AUD $25 registration fee — this is non-refundable
- Monitor your ImmiAccount and email for a selection notification from July 2026 onwards
- If selected: gather your documents and lodge your full Subclass 462 application within 28 days
- If not selected this round: your registration automatically carries over to all subsequent selection rounds until 30 April 2027
Don’t Miss Your Window
The ballot opens once a year, and registration lasts just three weeks. For the 2026–27 year, there is no second chance if you miss the 25 June 2026 deadline — you will need to wait until the next programme year.
At Edvise Hub, we help you prepare your full application from the ground up — English test strategy, document preparation, and post-selection lodgement support — so you are ready to move the moment you are selected.
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Information in this blog is accurate as at June 2026 and based on publicly available guidance from the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Visa conditions, fees, and programme settings are subject to change. Contact an Edvise Hub registered migration consultant for personalised advice.
