Australia Opens Ballot for Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) 2025

Australia has opened the ballot for the 2025 Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462), offering young people from eligible countries like China, India, and Vietnam a chance to live, work, and travel in Australia for up to one year. The ballot system helps manage high demand, with selected applicants invited to apply for the visa after random selection. This visa is ideal for cultural exchange and gaining short-term work experience in Australia.

What’s Happening?

Australia is implementing a visa pre-application ballot system for the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa for the 2025–2026 program year in order to address the high demand from countries such as China, India, and Vietnam. The current round of registrations will conclude on 15 July 2025, and the procedure was initiated in last year;

Subsequently, the initial round of random selections will occur on July 16, 2025, and will persist until April 30, 2026, or until all positions are filled.

Are You Eligible?

To enter this exciting ballot, you must:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of registration.
• Possess a valid passport from Vietnam, India, or China
• Possess a valid national identification document
• China: A valid national identification card
• India: A PAN card (not an Aadhar card) is required.
• Vietnam requires a valid 12-digit identification card (previous 9-digit cards are ineligible).
• Possess a verified email address
• A registration fee of AUD 25 is non-refundable.
• Establish or access your ImmiAccount.

And yes—you can register from inside or outside Australia, but if selected, you must apply for the visa from outside Australia.

How to Register?

1. Apply: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/latest-news/new-work-and-holiday-subclass-462-visa-pre-application-process
2. Choose “New Application” and then “Visa pre-application registration.”
3. Select the “Registration – Work and Holiday Visa (462)” option.
4. Choose the country that qualifies.
5. Complete the form with precision and submit the AUD 25 fee.
6. Please submit your script by July 15, 2025; incomplete drafts will be disregarded.

Once you submit and pay, your status will read ‘Received’. You’ll then enter the random ballot pool for your country.

Check Also: In Demand Jobs & Work Visa Opportunities in Australia

What Happens Next?

• If you are chosen, you will receive an email titled “Notification of Selection” and will have a period of 28 days to submit an application for a visa.
• Unfortunately, refunds will not be issued and you will not be contacted if you do not select the option.
• Even if you are selected, you will be ineligible if you reach the age of 31 prior to submitting your application.

Tip: Apply quickly if you’re 30 years old when selected!

Document Checklist If Selected:

If your name is drawn, get ready to apply! You’ll need to:

• Within 28 days, submit your visa application through ImmiAccount.
• Please provide a digital copy of your national identification card.
• Please include a copy of your passport (both the previous and the new version, if it was recently renewed).
• Verify that all personal information corresponds to the information you submitted during the registration process.

Mismatched details may lead to rejection or delayed processing—so double-check everything!

Application Dates to Remember:

Please mark your calendar: the registration window for the 2025-2026 Work and Holiday visa ballot will commence on June 24, 2025, and conclude on July 15, 2025. The initial round of random ballot selections will occur on July 16, 2025, and subsequent rounds will continue until April 30, 2026.

You will have 28 calendar days from the notification date to submit your complete visa application via ImmiAccount if your registration is drawn. Therefore, you must act promptly upon receiving the email.

Frequently Asked Questions: