A Comprehensive Guide to Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

A Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) is a part of the Australian working holiday maker program. With this visa, you can work, study or travel in Australia. The Australian Government announced this visa in 2023, to allow more countries to take part in the working holiday visa maker program. Since then, Australia has welcomed a huge number of individuals under a 462 visa.

In this blog post, let’s explore what a Work and Holiday Visa is, its eligibility requirements, visa cost, documents checklist and the application process.

 

What is a Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)?

A Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) is designed for young adults who want to extend their holiday and work in Australia to fund their trip. You can apply for up to three Work and Holiday visas, allowing you to stay in Australia for almost three years. 

 

With a 462 visa, you can work, or study for up to 4 months in Australia. Moreover, you can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want under a Work and Holiday visa. However, to apply for a second Work and Holiday visa, you must have completed three months of specified subclass 462 work.

 

Who is Eligible to Apply for Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)?

The basic eligibility criteria to apply for a subclass 462 is:

 

• Your age must be between 18 to 30 years at the time of application lodgement.
• You must fulfill the educational requirements set by the Immigration Department.
• You must have to follow and sign the Australian values statement.
• To be eligible for a 462 visa, you must not have had a 462 or 417 visa in the past.

 

List of eligible countries to apply for subclass 462 visa

If you are from Chile, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Argentina, Austria, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Uruguay, Vietnam, Brazil, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea or Switzerland, you are eligible to apply for a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462). 

 

Document Checklist for Subclass 462 visa

Here is the list of documents that you will be asked to submit to apply for a 462 visa:

 

• Identity documents including passport page showing personal details and birth certificate.
• Provide evidence of your educational qualifications.
• Provide evidence that you have functional English language skills.
• Provide evidence you have enough funds to support your stay in Australia. 
• Demonstrate that you are of a good moral character via police clearance certificate.
• Provide the letter of support from your government if you belong from Ecuador, Greece, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Peru, Poland, San Marino, Slovenia, Thailand, and Turkey.

 

How much does a 462 visa cost?

The fee cost for a work and holidays visa is AUD 650.00. If you are unable to pay the fee at the time of application submission, your application will be rejected.

 

How much bank balance is required for a 462 visa in Australia?

To apply for a Work and Holiday visa (WHV), you need to demonstrate that you have AUD 5,000 in your bank account to financially support yourself.

 

What is the processing time for a 462 visa in Australia?

Usually, 50% of applications are processed in less than a day and 90% applications are processed within 58 days. However, it can be varied depending on the time and individual circumstances. Therefore it is better to check it at the visa processing guide tool. 

 

How to Apply for a Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)?

Follow these simple steps to apply for a Work and Holiday Visa in Australia in 2024:

• Step 1: Check your eligibility.
• Step 2: Gather your documents.
• Step 3: Apply for the visa.
• Step 4: Wait for the Visa Outcome

 

Below is the detailed procedure to submit an application for subclass 462.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Check your eligibility before submitting an application for the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462). Before you apply for the visa, you might need to undergo a medical examination. Moreover, if you are looking for someone to help you with your application, keep in mind that person must be: 

• Registered migration agent
• Legal practitioner
• An exempt person.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Gather and organize all the required documents. These documents include identity documents, financial evidence, letter of support (if applicable), health and character requirements. Make sure to translate all these required documents into English before submitting your application.

Step 3: Apply for the Visa

• Create an online account on the ImmiAccount website. 
• Download the application form.
• Fill out the application form carefully.
• Attach the required documents.
• Pay the application fee and submit the form.

Remember that providing incorrect or misleading information will result in visa rejection!

Step 4: Wait for the Visa Outcome

Once you have submitted your visa application, wait for the outcome patiently. The Department of Home Affairs will notify you about your visa grant number, visa issuance and expiration dates, and visa conditions. In case your application is refused, the department will inform you about the reasons for the refusal and whether you can review the decision or not.

 

Categories of Work and Holiday Visa (WHV)

There are three categories of Work and Holiday visas which include:

• First Work and Holiday Visa
• Second Work and Holiday Visa
• Third Work and Holiday Visa

The stay duration for each of these visas is 12 months or one year. However, you must be outside of Australia to apply for your First Work and Holiday Visa. 

Let’s discuss them in detail:

1. First Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

First Work and Holiday Visa allows the candidates of age between 18 to 30 to extend their holiday in Australia. Moreover, you can work in Australia to support and fund your trip. To be eligible to apply for a First Work and Holiday visa, you must meet the following requirements:

 

• You must hold a passport from an eligible country.
• You must not have a dependent child.
• You cannot include your family members on a 462 visa.

2. Second Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

This visa is designed for Work and Holiday visa holders, aged between 18 to 30 (inclusive), to have a second working holiday in Australia. To be eligible for Second Work and Holiday visa, fulfill these conditions:

 

• In order to apply for a second work and holiday visa, you must have completed 3 months of specified subclass 462 work​.
• If you are applying from Australia, you must have a substantive visa.
• Keep in mind that if your substantive visa has expired, the expiry must not exceed 28 days before submitting your application.

3. Third Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

This visa is designed for Work and Holiday visa holders, aged between 18 to 30 (inclusive), to have a third working holiday in Australia. To be eligible for third Work and Holiday visa, fulfill these requirements:

 

• You must have previously held 2 subclass 462 visas in Australia.
• In order to apply for a third work and holiday visa, you must have completed 6 months of specified subclass 462 work​.
• If you are applying from Australia, you must have a substantive visa.
• Keep in mind that if your substantive visa has expired, the expiry must not exceed 28 days before submitting your application.

 

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it—a comprehensive guide to a 462 visa in Australia. By now, you have understood what a Work and Holiday Visa is, its eligibility requirements, and the documents required to submit an application for this visa. So, what’s next?  It’s definitely submitting a flawless visa application for a sponsored family stream. 

Schedule an online appointment now and allow us to help you navigate through the Australian visa application process. 

 

FAQs

Can I convert a tourist visa to a work visa in Australia?

No, you cannot directly convert a tourist visa (subclass 600) to a work visa in Australia. Tourist visa is designed only for visiting purposes. So, if you want to work in Australia, apply for the work visas. 

What is the difference between 417 and 462 work holiday visas?

The main difference between a 417 and 462 visa is that a 462 visa requires education requirements, including the evidence of English language proficiency and a support letter from the government of your country of origin. On the other hand, you don’t need to provide any educational qualifications or documents for a 417 visa.

Can I gain PR with a 462 visa in Australia?

No, you cannot obtain PR in Australia with a 462 visa. This visa is designed for tourism purposes and allows you to work for a short period of time, but you cannot become a permanent resident with this visa.

Can I extend a 462 visa in Australia?

No, you cannot directly extend a 462 visa in Australia. However, you can apply for a second Work and Holiday visa and then for a third Work and Holiday visa.