Working holiday visa 462, belongs to the Australian working holiday maker program, and similar to a visa subclass 417, this visa also allows you to work while you travel in Australia.
This visa was introduced in 2003 to allow more countries to participate in the working holiday maker program, and now a huge number of applicants receive a 462 visa each year.
What Documents Are Required for a Work and Holiday Visa 462?
You need to prepare for submission the following documents:
- You must submit a scanned copy of your passport showing your personal details and passport issue information.
- Your birth certificate. The birth certificate must show your full legal name and both of your parents’ legal names. You may submit a similar document as long as it’s issued by an official government agency and contains your immediate family details.
- Financial evidence. It’s important to provide proof that you can financially support yourself and pay for travelling arrangements to leave Australia when your visa expires. It’s usually required you submit proof of having at least AUD5,000 for your expenses.
- Proof of education. You are required to submit proof that you meet the education requirements for visa 462 (see below).
- A letter of support. You must have a letter of support from your governmental institution (or an alternative) if you are from:
- Ecuador- Ministry of External Relations and Human Mobility.
- Greece- Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs.
- Indonesia- Directorate General of Immigration.
- Luxembourg- Service National de la Jeunesse.
- Malaysia- Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Peru- Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Poland- Ministry of Economic Development.
- San Marino- Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Slovenia- Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Thailand- Department of Children and Youth, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
- Turkey-Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Uruguay- Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Proof that you changed your name (if applicable).
- Proof of English language proficiency. Unless you are from an English-speaking country, you must provide evidence that you have at least a functional level of your English language proficiency.
- Assistance forms. Submit either one of the following depending on your situation:
*You are exempted from submitting a letter of support if you are from:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Chile
- Czechia
- Hungary
- Israel
- China
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Spain
- Singapore
- United States
- Vietnam
Eligibility Requirements for a Work and Holiday Visa 462
You can apply for visa 462 if:
- You are between the ages of 18 to 30.
- You meet the educational requirements.
- You signed Australia’s values statement.
- You did not have a previous 462 visa or 417 visa.
- You are from one of the countries listed below:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Chile
- China
- Czechia
- Ecuador
- Greece
- Hungary
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Uruguay
- United States
- Vietnam
Working Holiday Visa 462 Educational Requirements
For a working holiday visa 462, you need to show evidence that you meet the educational requirements set out by the Immigration Department. The Department of Foreign Affairs has specified these requirements according to which country you are from:
The country you are applying from: Educational Requirements - Argentina
- Austria
- China
- Czechia
- Ecuador
- Greece
- Hungary
- Indonesia
- Luxembourg
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Turkey
- Uruguay
- Vietnam
You must have completed tertiary education or two years of undergraduate university study. You can only submit acceptable tertiary qualifications such as: - Degrees
- Graduate certificates
- Diplomas
You cannot submit certificates or senior secondary certificates of education.
Chile You must present evidence of tertiary qualifications or that you have completed or were approved to do a third year of undergraduate studies. You can only submit acceptable tertiary qualifications such as:
- Degrees
- Graduate certificates
- Diplomas
You cannot submit certificates or senior secondary certificates of education.
Israel You must provide evidence that you hold a senior secondary certificate of education, and that you have either completed military service or you were exempt from military service. Malaysia You must have completed tertiary education or two years of undergraduate university study. You can only submit acceptable tertiary qualifications such as: - Degrees
- Graduate certificates
- Graduate diplomas
You cannot submit an advanced diploma, diploma, certificate I-IV or a senior secondary certificate of education.
Thailand You must have either a diploma or a degree. United States You must present a senior secondary certificate of education or something equal to the certificate. How Do I Apply for a 462 Visa?
You have to apply online for a working holiday visa 462- you must have an ImmiAccount for you to be able to submit your application and attach the required documents. You must also submit the visa fee via your account or your application won’t be processed until your fee has been submitted. Make sure you are following the correct guidelines for your documents.
Please note that online applications are not available if you are the parent of a child under 18- you are required to submit a working holiday maker application enquiry form. Don’t forget to select “dependent child” in the application form.
Working Holiday Visa Paper Applications
If you are from the People’s Republic of China and applying for a visa subclass 462, then you have to apply via a paper application at an Australian visa office.
Please keep in mind that paper applications won’t be accepted if you are from a country where you can apply online for visa 462. However, if for some reason you cannot submit your application online, the Department offers this paper application form.
No matter how you submit your application, the visa fee must be paid via the ImmiAccount.
What Is the Fee for a 462 Visa?
The fee for visa 462 is AUD485. If you don’t submit the full fee at once, your application is considered incomplete.
Working Holiday Visa 462 Processing Times
Your work and holiday visa 462 will be processed in 5 months. Sometimes, your visa may be processed within three months- it depends on the circumstances of your application.
How Long Is a 462 Visa Valid for?
Your working holiday visa 462 is valid only for 12 months. Your visa is activated when you enter Australia and you must enter the country within a year after your visa is issued otherwise you lose your 462 visa.
Working Holiday Visa 462 Extension
You can’t extend your working holiday visa 462, but you can apply for a second year work and holiday visa. Sometimes, you may be eligible for a visitor visa, but only in exceptional circumstances, i.e., the death of a loved one.
Can I Study With a Work and Holiday Visa 462?
If you want to study with a visa 462, you are only allowed to do so for four months. A student visa may be more suitable for you if studying in Australia is your first choice.
Can I Travel With a Working Holiday Visa 462?
A visa 462 allows you to travel as many times as you want, but the time you spend out of Australia is counted towards your visa duration period.
Can I Apply With Family Members for a Visa 462?
You are not allowed to include your family members in your 462 visa application. Moreover, your family members cannot join you at a later date in Australia under the same visa. In addition to this, you cannot bring dependent children with you if you have any.
What Jobs Can I Do With a Working Holiday Visa 462?
You can do any type of work with your visa 462, be it paid work or volunteering. However, if you want to apply for a second year working holiday visa then you must complete three months of work in a specified industry.
Yearly Visa Application Limits
Applications for visa 462 are generated by a limitation “cap”. This means that annually there are only a limited number of applications allowed on the working holiday maker program (WHM). Applications are open on July 1st and closed on June 30.
Once this cap is met, applications are closed and you cannot submit your application until the next year for your working holiday visa 462. You can check when applications are open here.
462 Visa to Permanent Residency
You can’t get Australian permanent residency with a 462 visa. However, you can apply for another work visa or a visa that allows you to gain permanent residency, while you have your 462 visa.
Taxes and Superannuation under Visa 462
While you are working under a 462 visa, you must pay taxes, and your employer is obligated to pay your superannuation or retirement scheme. You can request to access your retirement fund after you leave Australia.
COVID-19 Relief for Visa 462
If you were working in the tourism industry or hospitality, you may be eligible for a special Covid-19 408 visa that allows you to stay for one more year in Australia.