Working holiday · Subclass 462
Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
The Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa allows young adults (generally 18–30) from approximately 50 partner countries to live, work, and travel in Australia for 12 months — with second and third 12-month extensions available if you complete a specified amount of regional work. It's a different program to the Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa, which covers a different list of countries.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed June 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Age
- 18–30 (35 some countries)
- Stay
- 12 months
- Extensions
- 2nd + 3rd year possible
- 2nd-year requirement
- 88 days regional work
- Funds required
- ~AUD 5,000
- Partner countries
- ~50
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MARN 1576536 · Last reviewed 2026-06-06
462 vs 417. Both are "working holiday" visas but they cover different lists of partner countries. 417 covers mostly European and Commonwealth nations. 462 covers a broader list with extra pre-application requirements. Your passport determines which program applies — you don't pick.
Who is eligible
- Hold a passport from an eligible partner country
- Aged 18 to 30 inclusive at the date of lodging (35 for certain countries)
- Have not previously held a Subclass 417 visa
- Meet the educational requirement set for your country (often degree-level or equivalent)
- Have functional English
- Hold approximately AUD 5,000 in funds to support yourself initially, plus enough for a return ticket
- Meet health and character requirements
- Some partner countries also require a government-issued letter of support or pre-application clearance
Eligible partner countries
Approximately 50 partner countries have an agreement with Australia for the 462 program, including (current list at the date of writing):
- United States, Canada-via-417 alternative
- China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Philippines
- Türkiye, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates
- Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay
- Greece, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Switzerland (selected programs)
Each partner country has a fixed annual quota and many have their own pre-application requirements — check the Department of Home Affairs 462 page for the current list and country-specific conditions.
What you can do on a 462
- Live in Australia for 12 months
- Work — full-time, casual, or part-time
- Study up to 4 months total
- Travel in and out of Australia during the visa period
- Apply for a second and potentially third 462 if you complete specified work in regional Australia
Second and third 462 visas
A second 462 (additional 12 months) is generally available if you complete 3 months (88 days) of specified work in regional Australia during your first year. A third 462 is generally available after 6 months of specified work during the second-year period. Specified work includes plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, mining, construction, hospitality in regional areas, and other sectors the Department lists from time to time. The eligible regional areas are defined by postcode lists published by the Department. Each renewal requires a fresh application.
Cost
There is a Department application charge for the first 462 visa, plus separate charges for each subsequent second or third 462. The figures change from time to time — verify current charges at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Additional costs to plan for: health insurance (recommended although not mandatory for many 462 holders), the upfront cost of getting to Australia, a return ticket or evidence of funds for one, and any state-specific cost-of-living premium.
How to apply
Apply online through ImmiAccount. The process generally requires:
- Eligible-country passport (biodata page)
- Evidence of age, educational qualifications, and functional English
- Evidence of financial capacity (bank statements showing the required funds)
- For some countries — a government letter of support or pre-application clearance
- Health examinations (if directed)
- Police clearances for every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
General information only. This page is general information about the Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa. It does not constitute migration advice (s 23, Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Regulations 2021). Outcomes cannot be guaranteed by any registered migration agent (s 15). Migration advice for a specific matter is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid initial consultation under section 43 of the Code, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42). OMARA Consumer Guide provided to all clients before consultation. PI insurance held under the Migration Agents Regulations 2026. Complaints via our Complaints Policy or directly to OMARA.
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How much does the Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) cost?
There is a Department of Home Affairs application charge for the first 462 visa, and a separate charge for each subsequent second or third 462 visa. The figures change from time to time — verify the current charges at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging. Additional costs to plan for include health insurance, the upfront cost of getting to Australia, and any state-specific cost-of-living premium.
Who is eligible for the 462 visa?
You must hold a passport from an eligible partner country, be aged 18 to 30 inclusive at the date of lodging (35 for some countries), have not previously held a Subclass 417 visa, meet the educational requirements set for your country (often a degree-level qualification or equivalent), have functional English, and meet health, character, and financial-capacity requirements (typically holding around AUD 5,000 to support yourself initially). Some partner countries also require a government-issued letter of support or pre-application clearance.
Which countries are eligible for the 462?
Approximately 50 partner countries have an agreement with Australia for the Work and Holiday program — including the United States, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Türkiye, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Spain, Portugal, Poland, and others. Each partner country has a fixed annual quota and some have their own pre-application requirements. The current eligible-country list is published on the Department of Home Affairs website — verify before applying.
How long can I stay on a 462?
Up to 12 months initially. You may be eligible for a second 462 if you complete 3 months (88 days) of specified work in regional Australia during your first year — usually agricultural, mining, hospitality in regional areas, or critical sectors as listed by the Department. A third 462 is possible after 6 months of specified work during the second-year period. Each renewal requires a fresh application.
Can I work full-time on a 462 visa?
Yes. The 462 allows full-time, casual, or part-time work. The traditional restriction was a maximum of 6 months with any one employer, but this rule has been relaxed for some sectors — verify the current employment conditions at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before relying on a specific arrangement. You can also study up to 4 months total during the visa.
What is the difference between 417 and 462?
Both are working holiday visas, but they cover different partner countries. Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) is available to citizens of about 19 mostly European and Commonwealth countries (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc.). Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) is available to citizens of about 50 partner countries that often have additional pre-application requirements such as quotas, education thresholds, or government letters of support. The age limit is generally 18-30 (35 for some 417 countries). Your nationality determines which one applies to you.
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