Subclass 462
An extended holiday in Australia with work to help fund your trip, for young adults aged 18 to 30. China, India and Vietnam passport holders must first be selected in a ballot.
The Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) is for young adults who want an extended holiday in Australia and to work here to help fund it. You can hold up to three visas, one after another, by completing specified work during your first and second visas.
China, India and Vietnam passport holders must participate in a visa pre-application process (ballot) and be randomly selected in the ballot before they can apply for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost also applies to eligible Papua New Guinea passport holders.
To manage high demand, Home Affairs is normalising processing timeframes for most Working Holiday Maker visas. The average processing time is expected to be around three months. See current times.
Visa information is based on the Department of Home Affairs website (last updated September 2026). Fees, conditions and processing times can change, so always confirm current details using the Visa Pricing Estimator or ask our team. This page is general information, not migration advice for your circumstances.
Up to three years in Australia: complete specified work to qualify for your next visa.
An extended holiday in Australia, with work to help fund your trip.
For people who hold, or have held, a Work and Holiday visa.
For people who hold, or have held, a second Work and Holiday visa.
Everything about this visa, from eligibility to what happens after grant.
A working holiday in Australia for young people.
12 months from when you first enter Australia.
AUD840.
You may be eligible for a second visa after 3 months of specified subclass 462 work, and a third visa after 6 months of specified work on your second visa.
What you need to meet.
You must be a citizen of, and hold a valid passport from, a participating country or jurisdiction.
You must be 18 to 30 (inclusive) when you apply. Lodge your application before midnight Australian Eastern time on the day before your 31st birthday.
For your first visa, you must not have previously entered Australia on a subclass 462 visa.
You must have enough money to support yourself in Australia and to leave at the end of your stay.
You must have at least Functional English.
Applicants from Ecuador, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia (Good Conduct Certificate), Mongolia, Peru, Poland, San Marino, Slovenia, Thailand and Türkiye must provide a letter of support from their government, or the stated alternative.
You must meet the health and character requirements, and have repaid (or arranged to repay) any debts to the Australian Government. Permanent and provisional visa applicants, and family members applying with them, must have health examinations with an approved panel physician. Temporary visa applicants might need them, depending on the visa and their circumstances. For the character requirement, Home Affairs may ask for police certificates and Form 80.
How to apply.
Book a consultation with Outlook Immigration. Our registered migration agent will assess your eligibility, confirm this is the right visa for you and explain your options before you apply.
Passport, evidence of funds, English evidence and any letter of support. We will tell you exactly what you need.
Only apply once you are ready to travel. Lodge your application online.
Respond to any requests. Do not book flights or make commitments until your visa is granted. Home Affairs may also ask for health examinations, police certificates or biometrics (fingerprints and a facial image).
You will be told the decision in writing.
Your conditions on this visa.
You must enter Australia within 12 months of the date your visa is granted.
You can usually only work for the same employer for 6 months, and study for up to 4 months (17 weeks).
You must meet all your visa conditions and obey Australian laws. Your conditions are in your grant letter and in VEVO.
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
Book an appointment with a registered migration agent and get clear answers about your visa options.
Book AppointmentPeople aged 18 to 30 (inclusive) who have a passport from an eligible country and are not accompanied by dependent children.
Yes. China, India and Vietnam passport holders must participate in a visa pre-application process (ballot) and be randomly selected before they can apply for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
The first Work and Holiday visa costs AUD840. The second and third visas cost AUD1,000 each. From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Papua New Guinea passport holders.
You must have completed 3 months of specified subclass 462 work. If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or your last substantive visa must have expired less than 28 days ago.
You must hold, or have held, a second Work and Holiday visa and have completed 6 months of specified subclass 462 work.
The average processing time is expected to be around three months as Home Affairs normalises timeframes for most Working Holiday Maker visas. Do not book flights or make travel, work or study commitments until your visa has been granted.
A MARA registered migration agent can check your eligibility and prepare a complete application.
Skilled Migration
