Australia 462 Visa Ballot 2026–27: Caps by Country, Steps, Fees and Eligibility
If you hold a passport from China, India or Vietnam, you cannot simply lodge a first Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462). You must first enter the Department of Home Affairs visa pre-application process, known as the 462 visa ballot, and be randomly selected. Registrations for the 2026–27 program year ran from 4 to 25 June 2026 and are now closed. The selection period opened on 2 July 2026 (the first draws were held on 10 August 2026) and runs until 30 April 2027, when all remaining registrations expire.
Indonesia is also moving to a ballot, with registrations expected to open later in 2026. Every other 462 partner country applies directly; all of them except the United States have an annual cap on first visas, and some are currently paused. Passport holders from Working Holiday (subclass 417) countries, such as the UK, Canada, Japan or Korea, are not affected by this ballot: the 417 is not capped. The ballot registration fee is AUD25 and the first 462 visa costs AUD840.
This guide is based on official Home Affairs pages: the first 462 visa page, the ballot page, Status of country caps and the visa pricing table. Information is current as at 10 November 2026.
Contents
- 1. 462 visa ballot 2026–27 at a glance
- 2. Which countries must enter the 462 ballot?
- 3. 462 visa caps by country
- 4. How the 462 ballot works, step by step
- 5. 2026–27 ballot timeline
- 6. Eligibility for a first 462 visa
- 7. 462 ballot and visa fees
- 8. Documents to prepare once selected
- 9. Not selected in the 462 ballot? What next
- 10. Second and third year 462 visa in brief
- 11. Practical advice for international applicants
- Frequently asked questions
1. 462 visa ballot 2026–27 at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ballot countries | China, India, Vietnam (first 462 visa only) |
| Registration period | 4–25 June 2026 (closed) |
| Selection period | 2 July 2026 – 30 April 2027 |
| Registration fee | AUD25, non-refundable |
| Time to apply once selected | 28 calendar days (AEST) |
| First 462 visa charge | AUD840 |
2. Which countries must enter the 462 ballot?
The ballot covers "high demand" countries where demand exceeds places: China, India and Vietnam. The Status of country caps page also says first 462 applications from Indonesia will move to a ballot, with registrations expected to open later in 2026; no opening date had been published as at 10 November 2026.
The ballot does not apply to second or third 462 visas, to any other 462 country, or to the 417 visa. Home Affairs states that 417 places are not capped, so there is no need for a ballot. 417 passports include Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the UK.
3. 462 visa caps by country
Annual grant caps for first 462 visas and application status, as shown on the Home Affairs Status of country caps page (last updated 3 November 2026). Status can change at short notice.
| Country | Annual cap | Status |
|---|---|---|
| China | 5,000 | Ballot |
| Vietnam | 1,500 | Ballot |
| India | 1,000 | Ballot |
| Indonesia | 5,000 | Ballot (registrations expected later in 2026) |
| Argentina | 3,400 | Open |
| Chile | 3,400 | Open |
| Spain | 3,400 | Open |
| Israel | 2,500 | Open |
| Singapore | 2,500 | Open |
| Thailand | 2,000 | Open |
| Peru | 1,500 | Open |
| Poland | 1,500 | Open |
| Uruguay | 1,500 | Open |
| Malaysia | 1,100 | Open |
| Slovak Republic | 1,000 | Open |
| Austria, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Portugal | 500 each | Open |
| Brazil | 500 | Paused |
| Slovenia | 200 | Open |
| Switzerland | 200 | Paused |
| Luxembourg, Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Türkiye | 100 each | Open |
| Ecuador | 100 | Paused |
| Mongolia | 100 | Paused |
| United States | No cap | Not capped (not listed on the caps page) |
For Latin American applicants: Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay were open, while Brazil and Ecuador were paused. "Paused" means lodgements are temporarily stopped, for example when a cap is nearly filled; "Closed" means applications reopen on 2 July, the start of the next program year. Mexico does not appear on the current Home Affairs list of 462 partner countries. There are no caps on second or third 462 visas.
4. How the 462 ballot works, step by step
- Set up ImmiAccount: create an account, set up multi-factor authentication and verify your email address.
- Register during the registration period: go to "New application" > "Visa pre-application registration" > "Registration – Work and Holiday Visa (462)". Enter your name, date of birth, passport and national ID details, then pay AUD25. Your status changes from "draft" to "received". You must be 18 to 30 when you register, and you can be in or outside Australia.
- Random selection: after registrations close, the system selects registrations at random. No criteria are used.
- Invitation: if selected, you receive a "Notification of selection" email and your status shows "selected".
- Apply within 28 days: lodge your first 462 application in ImmiAccount from outside Australia, attaching both sides of your national ID card. If you miss the deadline, your registration expires.
- Wait for a decision: Home Affairs expects average WHM processing of around three months. Do not book travel before the grant.
Indian applicants need a valid PAN card (not Aadhaar) and Vietnamese applicants need a 12-digit national ID card. You cannot change your national ID number, passport country or declarations after you submit.
5. 2026–27 ballot timeline
| Country | Selections held |
|---|---|
| China | 10 Aug 2026, 7 Oct 2026; third TBA |
| India | 10 Aug 2026, 25 Sep 2026; third TBA |
| Vietnam | 26 Aug 2026, 29 Sep 2026; third TBA |
Home Affairs says it will keep making selections throughout the program year until 30 April 2027. Registration dates for 2027–28 had not been announced as at 10 November 2026.
6. Eligibility for a first 462 visa
| Requirement | Summary |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 to 30 inclusive when you apply (lodge before midnight AEST the day before your 31st birthday) |
| Education | Varies by country. China and Vietnam: a tertiary qualification or 2 years of undergraduate study. India and Brazil: at least 2 years of post-secondary study. USA: senior secondary certificate |
| English | At least Functional English, e.g. IELTS average 4.5 or PTE Academic 30, taken within 12 months before applying (US passport holders meet it automatically; some English-medium study also counts) |
| Government letter of support | Required for Ecuador, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia (Good Conduct Certificate), Mongolia, Peru, Poland, San Marino, Slovenia, Thailand and Türkiye; not required for China, India, Vietnam and others |
| Funds | Usually about AUD5,000 plus your fare out of Australia |
| Other | Apply and be granted outside Australia; no dependent children; never entered Australia on a 417 or 462; health and character |
7. 462 ballot and visa fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ballot registration (China, India, Vietnam) | AUD25, not refunded if not selected |
| First 462 visa | AUD840 |
| Second or third 462 visa | AUD1,000 each |
| Extras | Health checks, police certificates, biometrics where requested |
From 1 July 2026, a lower charge applies to eligible Papua New Guinea passport holders.
8. Documents to prepare once selected
- Passport bio page and a birth certificate showing both parents' names (or an accepted alternative such as a family book).
- National ID card, both sides, uploaded under "National Identity Document (other than Passport)" for ballot countries.
- Evidence of education and of Functional English.
- Government letter of support, if your country requires one.
- Evidence of funds (usually AUD5,000) and of money for a departure ticket.
- Police certificates and health examinations if requested, including an AFP certificate if you have spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16.
Translate non-English documents into English; translators outside Australia need not be NAATI-accredited but must state their name, contact details and qualifications. Online applications do not need certified copies.
9. Not selected in the 462 ballot? What next
Home Affairs does not notify unsuccessful registrants, will not respond to requests to be selected and does not refund the fee. While your status is "received", you stay in the pool until 30 April 2027 (your registration expires earlier if you turn 31 while waiting), so keep your details current and check ImmiAccount regularly. If you are not selected by then, you can register in a future ballot as long as you are still under 31 and eligible.
10. Second and third year 462 visa in brief
- Second 462: complete 3 months of specified 462 work on your first visa, such as tourism and hospitality in northern or remote Australia, plant and animal cultivation or construction in specified regional areas, or disaster recovery work.
- Third 462: complete 6 months of specified 462 work on your second visa.
- Both require you to be 18 to 30, can be lodged in or outside Australia, have no ballot or cap at present, and cost AUD1,000.
On 17 September 2026 the Minister for Home Affairs announced plans to introduce a ballot for years two and three of the Working Holiday Maker program. As at 10 November 2026, Home Affairs had not published details and its 462 pages still say the ballot applies only to first visas. See our second and third year working holiday visa guide.
11. Practical advice for international applicants
- Capped countries: if your country is open, lodge once your documents are ready; if it is paused, check the caps page regularly and have your documents ready to lodge when it reopens.
- Ballot countries: prepare your English test, education evidence and funds before registering so the 28-day window is not a scramble. Keep an eye on the 12-month validity of your test result.
- Turning 31 soon: apply early; being 30 at lodgement is enough.
- No one can guarantee or improve your chances in a random ballot.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: Can I still register for the 2026–27 462 visa ballot?
No. Registrations for China, India and Vietnam ran from 4 to 25 June 2026 and have closed. Existing registrations stay in the selection pool until 30 April 2027. Dates for 2027–28 had not been announced as at 10 November 2026.
Q2: Which countries need the 462 ballot?
China, India and Vietnam, for the first 462 visa only. Home Affairs says Indonesia will also move to a ballot, with registrations expected later in 2026. Other 462 countries apply directly, subject to their annual cap.
Q3: How many 462 visas are available for China, India and Vietnam?
The Home Affairs Status of country caps page lists annual first-visa caps of 5,000 for China, 1,500 for Vietnam and 1,000 for India. The ballot does not change these caps.
Q4: How long do I have to apply if I am selected?
28 calendar days from the date of your Notification of selection email, ending at midnight AEST on the 28th day. You must apply from outside Australia.
Q5: Does the ballot apply to 417 Working Holiday visa holders?
No. Home Affairs states that 417 places are not capped, so no ballot is needed. The ballot only covers first 462 visas for China, India and Vietnam.
Q6: How much does the 462 visa ballot cost?
The registration fee is AUD25 and is not refunded if you are not selected. If selected, the first 462 visa charge is AUD840.
Selected in the 462 ballot or unsure which working holiday visa fits your passport? Level Up Studies offers free consultations:
- Melbourne Head Office: +61 3 8590 3229 | contactus@levelupstudies.com
- 1/105 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Related Reading
- Second Year Working Holiday Visa Australia 2026: ballot, specified work and fees
- IELTS, PTE and SAT: essential exams for studying in Australia
- Australia 485 visa AFP police check: process, fees and FAQs
Disclaimer: This article is based on the Department of Home Affairs website (First Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), New Work and Holiday visa pre-application process, Status of country caps, Current visa pricing, Specified 462 work, First Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)) and the Minister for Home Affairs media release of 17 September 2026. It is general information only and does not constitute migration legal advice. The ballot is random and no one can guarantee selection or a visa grant; always refer to official announcements. Information updated: 10 November 2026. Official sources accessed: 10 November 2026.