The 2026-27 ballot registrations for China, India and Vietnam closed.
Visa file / Skilled and work visas
Work and Holiday visa 462
Holiday and work for 18 to 30 year olds from 30 countries. Ballot for China, India and Vietnam.
In forceBallot
File: 462
Main chargeA$840
Information checked22 October 2026
Personal adviceRegistered agent only
Who it is for
People aged 18 to 30 from 30 partner countries, including India, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, the United States and others.
Published eligibility
- Age 18 to 30 when you apply.
- Functional English.
- Education requirement set for your country (for India, at least 2 years of post-secondary study).
- A government letter of support for some countries.
- About A$5,000 plus an onward fare; no accompanying dependent children.
- Ballot selection for China, India and Vietnam; country caps apply.
- Health and character.
Where you apply from
First visa: outside Australia when you apply and when it is decided.
Streams
- First
- Second
- Third
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
Check the ballot and requirements
For China, India and Vietnam, register in the ballot when it opens.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks education and English evidence before the ballot.
- 02
Apply if selected
Apply online within the time given and pay the charge.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares the evidence quickly.
- 03
Grant and stay
Enter within 12 months; stay 12 months.
Where a registered migration agent can helpExplains the work rules.
- 04
Second and third visas
Three months of specified work in eligible regional areas for a second visa.
Where a registered migration agent can helpExplains specified work evidence.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| First visa | A$840 |
| Second visa | A$1,000 |
| Third visa | A$1,000 |
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Work and Holiday | 3 days | 44 days |
Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Home Affairs expects most applications to average about three months. Read 22 October 2026. Times change monthly and are not a promise. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- Education or English evidence missing.
- Letter of support missing.
- Over age.
- Not selected in the ballot, or applied late.
- Not enough money; character.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Application
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
Sources
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
Where this becomes advice
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
Ask for a referral to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130 Ask for a call back about a referral
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.