What Is This Visa?
The Australia Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) lets you live, work and travel in Australia for 12 months. Work to fund your travels, explore cities, meet people, and even extend to 2–3 years if you do regional work.
But Indians can't just apply directly. You have to enter a lottery first. Get selected — then apply for the visa. Simple as that.
Why a Lottery?
Because demand is massive. Over 98,000 Indians wanted this visa last year — but Australia only has 1,000 spots for India. So they made it a fair random draw. Register during the window, enter the pool, and hope your name comes up.
The good news? It's completely random — your marks, bank balance or job don't matter. Everyone has the same shot.
This lottery is for people applying for the 462 visa for the very first time. Already held a 462 before? Different rules apply for you.
Before vs After — What Changed
❌ Before
- Apply directly online
- First come, first served
- Chaotic rush
- Unfair to many
✅ Now
- Register in open window
- Random selection
- Fair for everyone
- Multiple draw rounds
Are You Eligible?
- Hold an Indian, Chinese or Vietnamese passport
- Are aged 18 to 30 at the time of registration
- Have never held a Subclass 462 visa before
- Have an active ImmiAccount with verified email
- Have a valid PAN card (Aadhaar is NOT accepted for Indians)
- Can pay the non-refundable AUD 25 registration fee
Aadhaar is not accepted. You need a valid PAN card as your national identity document. Sort this out before 4 June.
How to Register — 5 Simple Steps
Create or log into your ImmiAccount
Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — set up your account now so you're ready on 4 June.
Wait for 4 June 2026
The window opens 4 June and closes 25 June. You cannot register before or after this period. Set a reminder.
Select "Registration – Work and Holiday Visa (462)"
Fill in your details exactly as they appear on your passport and PAN card. One mistake can get you rejected.
Pay AUD 25 and submit
This fee is non-refundable whether or not you're selected. Do not save as draft — only submitted registrations count.
If selected — apply within 28 days
You'll get a Notification of Selection email. You then have exactly 28 days to submit your full visa application and pay AUD 650. Don't sit on it.
Opens 4 June 2026 · Department of Home Affairs
What If I'm Not Selected?
Your registration stays active for the entire program year — Australia runs multiple draw rounds, so you're automatically entered into all of them. You don't need to re-register each time.
If the year ends without your name being drawn, you'll need to re-register next June — as long as you're still under 31.
Note: You won't get an email if you're not selected. Check your ImmiAccount status to see where you stand.
Once You're In — What Can You Do?
- Live and travel across Australia for up to 12 months
- Work for up to 6 months with any one employer
- Study for up to 4 months
- Apply for a 2nd or 3rd year by doing regional work
- Leave and re-enter Australia multiple times
Quick FAQs
No. If you're from India, China or Vietnam applying for the first time, the ballot is mandatory. There is no way around it.
No. The registration fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. The actual visa fee of AUD 650 is only paid if you're selected and invited to apply.
Yes — as long as you're 30 or under at the time of registration. But if you turn 31 before you submit your visa application, you become ineligible even if selected. Move fast once you get the notification.
No. Being selected means you're invited to apply — not that you'll get the visa. You still need to meet all eligibility requirements, submit documents, and pass health and character checks.
Yes, you can register from anywhere. But if selected, your actual visa application must be lodged from outside Australia.
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