On May 14, 2024, the Australian government delivered the 2024-25 Federal Budget. This included a new pre-application ballot process for the capped Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa program for China, India and Vietnam, to help manage demand and application processing times, as demand is anticipated to significantly exceed available places for these countries.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has now released further details of this new procedure:
- An AUD 25 ballot registration fee will be payable, on top of the existing AUD 635 Visa Application Charge;
- Registrations for the first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa ballots for China, Vietnam, and India will open later in 2024 (dates to be confirmed).
- Those interested in registering for a ballot will be able to submit an online registration form via ImmiAccount. The system will randomly select valid registrations electronically.
- DHA will notify selected registrants and give them a timeframe to make an online visa application;
- The pre-application process will only apply to first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants from China, Vietnam and India. Nationals of these countries who have already been granted a first Work and Holiday visa can continue applying for a second or third Work and Holiday visa online via ImmiAccount.
DHA says that the legislation and systems changes required to implement the pre-application ballot system took longer than expected and that, therefore, it has decided to pause applications from China until the new system opens, later in 2024.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.