Australia's Work & Holiday Visa Changes: Are You Eligible?
Learn about Australia's new ballot-based Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) process for China, India, and Vietnam. Key dates, registration steps, and selection details.
The Australian government has introduced a pre-application (ballot) process for the high-demand Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. This new system applies to applicants from:
- China
- India
- Vietnam
The ballot system ensures a fair, transparent, and streamlined method for selecting applicants in countries where the number of registrations exceeds the available spots. A registration fee of AUD 25 applies.
Commencement of New Process
Starting from October 1, 2024, the new ballot-based pre-application system will be implemented for the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) for the program year 2024-2025. The registration for the first ballots for China, Vietnam, and India opens on the same date.
The ballot process will occur annually, with each country having specific registration and selection periods. The arrangements under the Working Holiday Maker Program, including annual caps, remain unchanged by the introduction of this ballot system.
Eligibility for Ballot Registration
To register for the ballot, you need to:
- Create an ImmiAccount if you don’t already have one.
- Be under 30 years of age.
- Hold a valid passport from a participating country.
- Hold a valid national identity card (e.g., PAN card for Indian passport holders).
- Have a valid email address and verify it.
- Agree to declarations in the registration form.
- Pay the registration fee (AUD 25).
Registration Process
Eligible citizens from China, India, and Vietnam can follow these steps to register:
- Log into your ImmiAccount and go to ‘New application’.
- Select Registration - Work and Holiday Visa (462).
- Complete the form and pay the AUD 25 fee to submit your registration.
Note: You can save the registration form as a draft and submit it later, but ensure submission before the registration period closes. Your status will change from ‘draft’ to ‘received’ upon submission. If you don’t submit, you won’t be part of the ballot process.
Ballot Registration and Selection Periods
Each year, countries will have specific registration and selection periods. You can only register once during each country's registration period. Below are the registration and selection open periods for the 2024-2025 program year:
Ballot Registration Periods
| Country | Registration Open Date | Registration Close Date | Ballot Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 01/10/2024 | 08/11/2024 | Pending |
| India | 01/10/2024 | 31/10/2024 | Pending |
| Vietnam | 01/10/2024 | 08/10/2024 | Pending |
Ballot Selection Periods
| Country | Selection Open Date | Selection Close Date |
|---|---|---|
| China | 14/10/2024 | 30/04/2025 |
| India | 14/10/2024 | 30/04/2025 |
| Vietnam | 14/11/2024 | 30/04/2025 |
If you are selected during the selection period, you will receive a notification via email and can apply for a visa. Selected participants will have 28 calendar days from the notification to submit their visa applications through ImmiAccount.
After Registration
Once you register, your status will be shown as ‘received’ in ImmiAccount. If your registration is selected, you will receive a Notification of Selection via email. This notification does not guarantee visa approval, as you must meet all visa eligibility criteria. If selected, you can use the link in the email to access the visa application form, which will be partially auto-populated.
If your registration is not selected, you will not be eligible to apply for the Work and Holiday visa this year. The department will not notify you if you are not selected, and inquiries about selection status will not be answered. Registrations remain valid until April 30, 2025 unless:
- You are selected.
- You withdraw your registration.
- You turn 31.
Expiration of Registrations
Registrations will expire when the first of these conditions occurs:
- The selection period ends.
- You are selected for the ballot.
- You turn 31.
- You withdraw from the ballot.
Once expired, your registration status will appear as 'expired' in ImmiAccount.
Additional Notes
- The ballot process only applies to first-time applicants from China, India, and Vietnam.
- Second and third Work and Holiday visa applications from these countries can proceed via the usual ImmiAccount process.
- The ballot does not apply to Working Holiday (subclass 417) visas, as they are uncapped and don’t require a pre-application process.
Key Steps for Submitting Your Work and Holiday Visa Registration
- ImmiAccount Setup: Create an ImmiAccount or log into an existing one.
- New Application: Go to ‘New application’ and select ‘Visa pre-application registration’.
- Form Completion: Complete and submit the Work and Holiday Visa (462) registration form, ensuring all personal information, including passport and national ID number, is correct.
- Verify Email: Ensure your email is verified to proceed with the registration.
Note: Incomplete or incorrect forms will not be accepted.
Fees and Restrictions
- The registration fee is AUD 25.
- No refunds will be issued, even if you are not selected in the ballot.
- You can only submit one registration per year.
- If selected, you must gather and submit all required documents within the 28-day window.
After Submission
Once you submit your registration, the status will change to 'received' in ImmiAccount. Selected participants will be notified by email. Remember to keep your details up to date to avoid missing important notifications.
This new pre-application ballot system aims to provide a fair, structured process for those seeking to apply for the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa in high-demand countries.
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