Subclass 462 visa document checklist (Work and Holiday)

The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) lets a young person from a partner country holiday in Australia for 12 months and work to help fund the trip. It adds education, English and, for some countries, government support requirements that the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) does not have. This checklist is a starting point as at November 2026; confirm each item on the Home Affairs subclass 462 page before lodging.

First, second and third visas

• First visa: for people aged 18 to 30 who have not entered Australia on a 417 or 462 visa before. The applicant must be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is granted.
• Second visa: 3 months of specified subclass 462 work done on the first visa.
• Third visa: 6 months of specified subclass 462 work done on the second visa.

Country-specific requirements

• Eligible passports: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, Uruguay, the United States and Vietnam.
• Caps and ballot: most countries have a yearly cap on first visas, opening each program year on 2 July (AEST); check the status of country caps. China, India and Vietnam passport holders must be selected in the pre-application ballot before they can apply. A ballot for Indonesian passport holders is expected to open for registrations later in 2026.
• Letter of support from the government: needed for Ecuador, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia (a Good Conduct Certificate), Mongolia, Peru, Poland, San Marino, Slovenia, Thailand and Türkiye. Luxembourg passport holders no longer need one from 3 June 2026.
• Education:
  • Most countries (including China, Indonesia, Spain and Vietnam): a tertiary qualification (degree, graduate certificate or diploma), or 2 years of undergraduate university study. Certificates I to IV and a senior secondary certificate do not count.
  • Brazil and India: at least 2 years of post-secondary study.
  • Chile: a tertiary qualification, or completion of or approval for a third year of undergraduate study.
  • Malaysia: a degree, graduate diploma or graduate certificate, or 2 years of undergraduate study. Diplomas and advanced diplomas do not count.
  • Thailand: a tertiary qualification (degree, graduate certificate or diploma).
  • Israel: a senior secondary certificate and completed or exempt military service.
  • Switzerland: 2 years of study after compulsory schooling.
  • United States: a senior secondary certificate or equivalent.
• National identity details: India needs the Permanent Account Number (PAN) for this visa; Indonesia the KTP card details including the NIK; Vietnam the National Identity Card details. See national identity card.

Key numbers (as at November 2026)

• English: at least functional English. A test result must be from the 12 months before applying; for IELTS, an average band score of at least 4.5.
• Specified subclass 462 work: set work types in Northern Australia and specified regional areas, such as plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction, and tourism and hospitality in Northern or Remote and Very Remote Australia.
• Funds: usually about AUD 5,000, plus enough for a ticket out of Australia.
• Work and study: up to 6 months with one employer, unless permission is given; study for up to 4 months.
• Children: dependent children cannot come to Australia at any time during the stay.

Documents from the applicant

• Identity: passport pages showing the photo, personal details and issue and expiry dates; a birth certificate showing both parents' names, or a family book, government identification or court document if there is none; evidence of any change of name; the national identity details listed above
• Education: certificates and transcripts at the level set for the passport country
• English: a UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand or Irish passport, or evidence of English-language schooling or study, or a test result from the last 12 months
• Letter of support: from the applicant's government, where the country requires one
• Funds: evidence of about AUD 5,000, and of a ticket out of Australia or the money to buy one
• Specified work (second and third visas): evidence covering every period worked: payslips or Australian bank statements, piece rate agreements, payment summaries or group certificates, tax returns, employer references and any signed agreement for pay deductions
• Character: police certificates and military service records, when Home Affairs asks for them
• Health: Health examinations, when Home Affairs asks for them

Collect it with Immiluma

The country rules make each 462 matter a little different. Build the checklist once as a visa template in Immiluma, or ask the assistant to draft it from this page, then adjust the education and support-letter items for each passport country. Each matter sends it to the client's portal, the client uploads against each item, and you review each document beside it. See all visa checklists.