Australia Introduces New Ballot Process for Work & Holiday Visas | Australia Immigration News
In the 2024-25 program year, the Australian Government will introduce a visa pre-application (ballot) process with a AUD 25 registration fee for high-demand Work and Holiday (subclass 462) countries: China, Vietnam, and India.
Commencement of New Arrangements
Registrations for the first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa ballots for China, Vietnam, and India will open later in 2024. Further information, including registration periods, will be published later in 2024.
The Visa Pre-Application (Ballot) Process
A ballot is an electronic random selection process where selected entrants are invited to apply for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa online. This process ensures an equitable, streamlined, and transparent selection method for applicants from partner countries where registrations exceed available places.
Why a Ballot is Required for Selected Countries
The ballot provides a fair and transparent way of selecting applicants from countries with high demand, where the number of registrations significantly exceeds the available places. This new pre-application process will apply to first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants from China, Vietnam, and India.
Second and Third Work and Holiday (subclass 462) Visa Applicants
The ballot process will only apply to first-time applicants from China, Vietnam, and India. Nationals from these countries who have already been granted a first Work and Holiday visa can continue to apply for a second or third visa online via ImmiAccount. Current arrangements for applicants from other participant countries will continue unchanged.
Working Holiday (subclass 417) Partner Countries
First Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa places are not capped, so there is no need for a ballot to manage these applications.
Work and Holiday (subclass 462) Ballot Registration Fee
The AUD 25 ballot registration fee aligns with other visa programs that use a ballot process, such as the Pacific Engagement (subclass 192) visa. This fee is a small additional amount compared to the Visa Application Charge of AUD 635 for the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
Conducting the Ballot
The Department has developed new systems to conduct ballots. Interested individuals will be able to submit an online registration form via ImmiAccount. The system will randomly select valid registrations electronically, and selected registrants will be notified and given a timeframe to submit their online visa application.
Work and Holiday (subclass 462) Visa Program for China
The implementation of a pre-application (ballot) process for Chinese nationals was delayed due to longer-than-expected legislative and systems changes. Consequently, there is a temporary pause on applications from China. The Work and Holiday (subclass 462) program for China will reopen later in 2024. Further information on arrangements for Chinese nationals is available in both English and Mandarin at the Australian Embassy in China.
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