Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)

Who can apply?

• You hold a passport from one of these countries: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, Uruguay, the United States of America and Vietnam.
• You are 18 to 30 inclusive, and you apply before you turn 31 in Australian Eastern time.
• You meet the education requirement for your country. For most (including Argentina, Austria, China, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Türkiye, Uruguay and Vietnam) this is a university, college or training centre qualification at degree, graduate certificate or diploma level, or two years of undergraduate study. Certificates I to IV and a senior secondary certificate do not count. Brazil and India require at least two years of post-secondary study. Chile has its own wording.
• You have enough money to support yourself and leave Australia, usually about A$5,000 plus the fare onward.
• You have not previously entered Australia on a 417 or 462, and you meet health and character requirements.
• You are not accompanied by dependent children and apply on your own.

What is the ballot?

China, India and Vietnam passport holders must take part in a visa pre-application process (a ballot) and be randomly selected before they can apply for a first 462. First 462 applications from Indonesian passport holders are also managed through a ballot. Others who are subject to annual caps apply directly while their cap is open.

What are the country caps?

Each program year there is a limit on first 462 visas for certain countries, and applications open each year on 2 July. There are no caps on second or third 462 visas. A cap can move from open to paused or closed during the year. A paused cap may reopen later. A closed cap does not reopen until the next program year. The annual grant caps listed include Argentina 3,400, Austria 500, Brazil 500, Chile 3,400, China 5,000, Czechia 500, Ecuador 100, Greece 500, Hungary 500, India 1,000, Indonesia 5,000, Israel 2,500, Luxembourg 100, Malaysia 1,100, Mongolia 100, Papua New Guinea 100, Peru 1,500, Poland 1,500, Portugal 500, San Marino 100, Singapore 2,500, Slovak Republic 1,000, Slovenia 200, Spain 3,400, Switzerland 200, Thailand 2,000, Türkiye 100, Uruguay 1,500 and Vietnam 1,500.

Cost

A$840 for the first visa and A$1,000 for a second or third. From 1 July 2026 a lower charge applies to eligible Papua New Guinea passport holders. Processing is expected to average about three months, and you should not book flights until the visa is granted. See processing times.

Work and study

You can do any kind of work, usually for the same employer for up to 6 months (see the exemptions on the 417 page, which apply to both visas). The stay is 12 months.

Second and third visas

A second 462 needs 3 months of specified 462 work and a third needs 6 months. See second and third year visas.