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462 — Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
AustraliaAustralia•Oceania
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462 — Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

Working Holiday

At a Glance

Processing Time

3 weeks – 3 months

Estimated Cost

AUD $840

Stay Duration

360 to 1095 days

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information
Australia flag

Living in Australia

Cost of Living
2% more than United States
Avg SalaryA$73,000
Quality of Life
187/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Working holiday visa for partner country nationals aged 18-30, allowing work and travel in Australia.

The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) lets citizens of qualifying partner countries aged 18-30 live and work in Australia for up to 12 months. Unlike the subclass 417, it requires functional English, tertiary qualifications, and for some nationalities a government support letter.

Stay is 12 months, extendable to a second and third year by completing specified regional work — maximum 3 years total. Work is capped at 6 months per employer; no job offer is needed to apply. Dependents cannot be included. The AUD 840 fee is paid by the applicant; no PR pathway exists.

This visa is ideal for young adults from partner nations who want to fund extended travel in Australia through short-term work in hospitality, agriculture, and tourism.

Australia

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Stay & Extensions

Initial grant12 months
Extendable up to3 years

Annual Cap & Quota

Varies by country

Eligible Nationalities (30)

ArgentinaArgentinaAustriaAustriaBrazilBrazilChileChileChinaChinaCzechiaCzechiaEcuadorEcuadorGreeceGreeceHungaryHungaryIndiaIndiaIndonesiaIndonesiaIsraelIsraelLuxembourgLuxembourgMalaysiaMalaysiaMongoliaMongoliaPapua New GuineaPapua New GuineaPeruPeruPolandPolandPortugalPortugalSan MarinoSan MarinoSingaporeSingaporeSlovakiaSlovakiaSloveniaSloveniaSpainSpain

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

500 — Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Australia flagAustralia

500 — Student Visa (Subclass 500)

ValidityUp to 6 years (in line with enrolment)
Processing1–2 months
View Visa Details
482 — Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
Australia flagAustralia

482 — Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

Validity4 years
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
407 — Training Visa
Australia flagAustralia

407 — Training Visa

Validity2 years
Processing0 days
View Visa Details
408 — Temporary Activity Visa
Australia flagAustralia

408 — Temporary Activity Visa

ValidityUp to 2 years
Processing2 weeks – 3 months
View Visa Details
491 — Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491)
Australia flagAustralia

491 — Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491)

Validity5 years
Processing3 months – 2 years
View Visa Details
189 — Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)
Australia flagAustralia

189 — Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)

ValidityIndefinite
Processing3 months – 1.2 years
View Visa Details
190 — Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190)
Australia flagAustralia

190 — Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190)

ValidityIndefinite
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Aged 18 to 30 (inclusive)

Hold a passport from a qualifying country participating in the Work and Holiday program

Must not be accompanied by dependent children

Must have sufficient funds (typically AUD 5,000) plus funds for a return ticket

Must meet health and character requirements

Must have a tertiary qualification or have completed at least two years of undergraduate study (depending on nationality)

Must demonstrate functional English proficiency

Must provide a letter of government support (if required by the applicant's country)

Must not have previously entered Australia on a subclass 462 or 417 visa (unless applying for a second or third visa)

KEY CRITERIA

Education

vocational or higher

Min. Savings

5,000 AUD

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Recent passport-sized photograph

Birth certificate

Evidence of tertiary qualifications or academic transcripts

Evidence of functional English (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)

Evidence of sufficient funds (bank statements)

Letter of government support (if applicable)

Character documents (police certificates)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Work and travel freely
  • Can extend with regional work
  • Quick processing

Worth Knowing

  • Age restricted
  • 6-month employer limit
  • Not all countries qualifying

Application Process

1

Create ImmiAccount

Register on the immigration portal

2

Complete application form

Fill in visa application online

3

Upload documents

Submit passport, photos, proof of funds, and relevant documents

4

Pay visa fee

Pay AUD 840 application fee

5

Await decision

Monitor application status in ImmiAccount

Application Forms

Go to application portal
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Application for a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
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Application for a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
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Application for a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
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