Australia’s Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa remains in strong demand, with application caps now paused for most participating countries for the 2026–27 program year.
Applications for countries subject to annual caps opened on 2 July 2026, however, high demand has resulted in many country caps being paused, while some countries remain open and others are managed through a ballot system.
The Department of Home Affairs has also warned that changes to country cap statuses may take up to 48 hours to appear on its website due to technical limitations.
What Do the Work and Holiday Visa Caps Mean?
Under the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) program, Australia sets an annual limit on the number of first Work and Holiday visas that can be granted to passport holders from certain countries.
There are no annual caps on second or third Work and Holiday visas.
A country’s application status can change throughout the program year:
- Open: Applications can currently be lodged.
- Paused: Applications have temporarily stopped, usually because demand is high or the cap is approaching capacity. Applications may reopen later in the program year.
- Closed: The annual allocation has been filled and applications will not reopen until the next program year.
- Check Ballot Status: Applicants must participate in the relevant ballot process before they can apply.
Applicants should regularly check the Department of Home Affairs website because a paused cap can potentially reopen.
Which Countries Have Paused Subclass 462 Applications?
As of the latest update, applications are paused for most countries subject to annual caps.
These include:
| Country | 2026–27 Annual Grant Cap | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 3,400 | Paused |
| Austria | 500 | Paused |
| Brazil | 500 | Paused |
| Chile | 3,400 | Paused |
| Czech Republic | 500 | Paused |
| Ecuador | 100 | Paused |
| Greece | 500 | Paused |
| Hungary | 500 | Paused |
| Israel | 2,500 | Paused |
| Luxembourg | 100 | Paused |
| Malaysia | 1,100 | Paused |
| Mongolia | 100 | Paused |
| Papua New Guinea | 100 | Paused |
| Peru | 1,500 | Paused |
| Poland | 1,500 | Paused |
| Portugal | 500 | Paused |
| San Marino | 100 | Open |
| Singapore | 2,500 | Paused |
| Slovak Republic | 1,000 | Paused |
| Slovenia | 200 | Paused |
| Spain | 3,400 | Paused |
| Switzerland | 200 | Paused |
| Thailand | 2,000 | Paused |
| Türkiye | 100 | Open |
| Uruguay | 1,500 | Paused |
The status of individual country caps can change during the program year. Applicants should check the latest official status before making plans to lodge an application.
Why Are Some Applications Being Paused?
A country cap may be paused for several reasons.
The Department may temporarily stop applications when there is a high volume of lodgements. This can help spread applications throughout the program year and support the processing of visa applications.
A cap may also be paused when the number of applications is approaching the annual grant limit.
A paused status does not necessarily mean that applicants have missed their opportunity for the entire program year. The Department may reopen a paused cap if places become available.
By contrast, when a country is marked closed, the cap has been filled and applications will not reopen during that program year.
What Happens If the Subclass 462 Cap Is Paused?
If applications are temporarily paused, applicants will generally receive an error message when attempting to lodge an application.
If your country is listed as paused, you should continue monitoring the Department’s website for changes.
This is particularly important because a paused cap can potentially return to open status later in the program year.
The Department also notes that updates may not appear immediately. Applicants should allow up to 48 hours for changes to country cap statuses to be reflected online.
What Is the Work and Holiday Visa?
Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program allows young adults from participating countries to spend up to 12 months in Australia while undertaking short-term work and study.
The program includes two visa subclasses:
The two visas have different eligibility requirements and participating countries.
The Work and Holiday subclass 462 program applies to passport holders from specific partner countries and jurisdictions, with some countries subject to annual first-visa caps.
How Long Can You Work in Australia on a Subclass 462 Visa?
Working Holiday Makers can generally work in any occupation or industry while in Australia.
However, visa condition 8547 generally limits a Working Holiday Maker to a maximum of six months with the same employer, unless an exemption or permission applies.
The Department has continued a process allowing eligible visa holders to request permission to work for the same employer beyond six months in certain circumstances.
If you need to continue working for the same employer beyond the initial six-month period, it is important to understand the applicable requirements and submit any necessary request before your existing six-month period expires.
How Much Can You Study on a Work and Holiday Visa?
The Work and Holiday visa is primarily intended for a holiday with incidental work and study rather than full-time study.
Under visa condition 8548, holders are generally limited to four months of study or training during each Work and Holiday visa.
The four-month limit applies separately to each visa. Therefore, someone who receives a second or third Work and Holiday visa may generally undertake up to four months of study or training on each visa.
Certain online or overseas courses may be treated differently under the condition, so applicants should check the specific requirements that apply to their circumstances.
Can You Get a Second or Third Work and Holiday Visa?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply for second and third Work and Holiday visas.
Importantly, there are no annual country caps for second or third Work and Holiday visas.
Applicants generally need to satisfy specified work requirements to qualify for further visas, although there are specific arrangements and exemptions for some passport holders.
For example, UK passport holders can be granted a second or third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa without completing specified work if they apply on or after 1 July 2024 using their UK passport.
The rules differ between the subclass 417 and subclass 462 programs, so applicants should check the requirements that apply to their nationality and visa subclass.
What Should Work and Holiday Applicants Do Now?
If you’re planning to apply for a subclass 462 visa, the most important step is to check your country’s current application status before preparing to lodge.
If applications are open, review the eligibility requirements and prepare your application.
If applications are paused, continue monitoring the Department’s website in case the cap reopens.
If the status is closed, you will need to wait until the next program year.
If your country uses the ballot system, make sure you understand the pre-application process and register when the relevant registration period opens.
The status of country caps can change, so relying on an older update could mean missing an opportunity to apply.
Get Advice on Your Australian Work and Holiday Visa
The Work and Holiday program can provide young people with an opportunity to experience life in Australia while working and travelling. However, the annual cap system means timing can be particularly important for applicants from countries with limited places.
With most country caps currently paused for the 2026–27 program year, prospective applicants should regularly check their country’s status and be ready to act if applications reopen.
If you’re unsure whether the subclass 462 visa is right for you, or you’re considering other Australian visa options, the team at Australian Visa and Immigration Experts (AVIE) can help you understand your options and the requirements that apply to your circumstances.
