India's Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) runs on a strict once-a-year ballot — roughly 1,000 places against 98,000+ registrations in recent years. We help you register correctly during the window, and prepare a strong application if you're selected.
India, China & Vietnam program year
Figures per Australian Department of Home Affairs ballot notices. Confirmed current as of this page's last review.
The Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa lets eligible young people spend up to 12 months in Australia working, travelling, and studying for up to 4 months — without needing a job offer first. But demand from India, China, and Vietnam far exceeds Australia's annual allocation, so applicants from these three countries must first register for a random ballot before they're even allowed to lodge a visa application.
For the 2026–27 program year, ballot registration for India, China, and Vietnam opens 4 June 2026 and closes 25 June 2026 — a strict three-week window, once a year. Roughly 1,000 places are allocated to Indian applicants, against well over 98,000 registrations in recent years. Selection is entirely random: paying more, registering early within the window, or having a stronger profile does not improve your odds.
Being selected only gives you an invitation to apply — not the visa itself. You then have 28 days from your selection notification to lodge a complete application meeting all health, character, education, and English language requirements.
Note: ballot dates, place numbers, and fees are set by Australia's Department of Home Affairs and can change year to year. We confirm the live figures before you register.
Submitting more than one ballot registration in the same program year results in automatic disqualification.
Every eligible registration has the same chance — there's no way to improve your odds within the ballot itself.
Unselected registrations stay active for further rounds through to 30 April 2027, with no notification if you're not picked.
Indian applicants must upload a valid PAN card as their national ID — an Aadhaar card is not accepted for this purpose.
You must meet every one of these before registering — failing even one results in disqualification.
The age limit applies at the time you lodge your full visa application, not just at ballot registration. If you turn 31 before being selected, your registration expires.
You must not have previously held a Subclass 462 or Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa.
Completed at least two years of post-secondary education or a relevant qualification, as required for the 462 category.
Demonstrated through IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET, or CAE at the level Home Affairs specifies for this visa.
Evidence of adequate funds to support yourself early in your stay — commonly cited around AUD $5,000, though we confirm the current requirement with you.
Meeting Australia's standard health and character requirements for a temporary visa, assessed after ballot selection.
The Work and Holiday visa is built around flexibility — but with specific limits worth understanding upfront.
Multiple entry, valid for up to 12 months from your first arrival in Australia.
You find work after arriving. Generally, you can work for any employer, but no more than 6 months with the same one.
Limited study is permitted alongside work and travel — not a full academic program.
The 462 is exactly what it says — a working holiday. It does not lead to permanent residency on its own.
Some 462-eligible nationalities have second- and third-year extension options tied to specified regional work. We confirm current eligibility for Indian applicants during your consultation, as this has changed over time.
You can leave and re-enter Australia during your visa's validity period.
Ballot registration itself needs relatively little — the full document list applies once you're selected and lodge your visa application.
Valid passport details, entered exactly as they appear on the document.
PAN card (both sides) — the accepted national ID for Indian applicants; Aadhaar is not accepted here.
ImmiAccount registration with accurate personal and contact details.
AUD $25 registration fee, paid by debit or credit card.
English test result meeting the functional English requirement (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL/OET/CAE).
Education proof confirming at least two years of post-secondary study.
Financial evidence showing sufficient funds to support your early stay.
Health examination & police clearance, as requested by Home Affairs.
Visa application fee, paid within your 28-day window after selection.
Note: the visa application fee shown is based on the most recent published figure and is subject to change by Home Affairs. We confirm the exact current fee before you lodge. The ballot registration fee is never refunded, whether or not you're selected.
Good to know: if you're not selected in the first round, your registration stays active for later rounds throughout the program year — no re-registration needed.
From ballot registration to a selected application, here's how a Hike Visa file moves.
We check your age, education, English level, and first-time applicant status before you register.
We ensure your ImmiAccount ballot registration is accurate and submitted only once, during the June window.
We help you get English test scores, funds evidence, and other documents ready before you're even selected.
If selected, we help you lodge a complete application within your strict 28-day window.
Once granted, we brief you on work conditions, the 6-month same-employer rule, and study limits.
Registration runs from 4 June 2026 to 25 June 2026 — a strict three-week window, once a year. If you miss it, the next opportunity is the 2027–28 ballot, expected around June 2027.
Approximately 1,000 places per year, against well over 98,000 registrations in recent ballot years — so being realistic about your odds matters as much as preparing your file properly.
No. Selection is entirely random once the window closes. What we help with is making sure your registration is error-free and submitted only once — a single mistake or duplicate entry can disqualify you regardless of your profile.
No. The 462 visa doesn't require a job offer — you're expected to find work after you arrive in Australia, generally for no more than 6 months with the same employer.
Your selection lapses and you would need to wait for the next program year's ballot. We recommend having your core documents ready before you're even selected, precisely to avoid this.
Some 462-eligible nationalities have second- and third-year extension options tied to specified work, but this varies by country and has changed over time. We confirm the current position for Indian applicants during your consultation rather than assuming it applies.
Tell us your age, education, and English test status. We'll tell you plainly whether you meet the eligibility bar — and help you register correctly the moment the window opens.
No charge. No obligation. Just honest advice.