As of today, Monday 16 September 2024, two key changes have been made to the Subclass 462 Working Holiday program.
Firstly, passport-holders from India can now access this program provided they have completed at least 2 years of post-secondary study.
Secondly, due to proven and anticipated high demand, a pre-application system has been introduced for certain applicants.
Immigration advises that the number of Work and Holiday visa requests from China and Vietnam greatly outnumber the quotas available in each program year, and requests from India are anticipated to be significant, so to make the system fairer, they will introduce a registration and ballot system for intending applicants from these countries.
Applicants will first need to complete an online registration form and pay a registration fee, then wait to be randomly selected to apply for a 462 visa.
At the time of registration, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and no more than 30. Registrations will automatically cease when certain events occur, including:
- Applicant is successfully selected
- The applicant turns 31 years of age
- End of the selection period
- Withdrawal of application
- The applicant dies
Immigration will publish selection periods on their website. Applicants are encouraged to keep track of the selection period dates, as a new registration will need to be lodged when a new period opens.
This system only applies to the first 462 visa. Applications for a second- or third-year visa can be made directly through ImmiAccount.