Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) Ballot 2026–27: How to Register Before 25 June
- Jun 10
- 7 min read
Last Updated: 10 June 2026
Ballot registration is open now and closes Thursday 25 June 2026. If you hold a Chinese, Indian or Vietnamese passport and want to apply for a first Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) in the 2026–27 program year, this ballot is your mandatory first step.
Miss the window and you cannot apply until the 2027–28 ballot opens.
What Is the Subclass 462 Ballot?
The Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) lets eligible applicants aged 18–30 live, work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months.
Because demand from China, India and Vietnam significantly exceeds the number of places available each program year, the Australian Government uses a visa ballot — a random, automated selection process — to decide who receives an invitation to apply.
The ballot provides a fair and transparent way to allocate places when a country's demand outstrips its annual cap.
Important: The ballot only applies to first-time Subclass 462 applicants from China, India and Vietnam. It does not apply to second or third Subclass 462 applications, nor to Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) applicants from any country.
Subclas 462 Ballot 2026–27 Key Dates at a Glance
Detail | Date / Amount |
Registration opens | Thursday 4 June 2026 |
Registration closes | Thursday 25 June 2026 |
Selection period opens | 2 July 2026 |
Selection period closes | 30 April 2027 |
Time to apply after selection | 28 calendar days |
Ballot registration fee | AUD $25 (non-refundable) |
All dates and times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Who Needs to Register?
The ballot applies specifically to first-time applicants holding passports from:
China
India
Vietnam
If you hold a passport from any other eligible Subclass 462 country — such as the United States, Indonesia, or Thailand — the ballot does not apply to you and you can apply directly.
Ballot Eligibility Requirements
To register for the 2026–27 ballot, you must meet all of the following at the time of registration:
Aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive)
Hold a valid passport issued by China, India or Vietnam
Hold a valid national identity card from your passport country (see country-specific requirements below)
Have a valid, verified email address
Have an active ImmiAccount
Set up Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) on your ImmiAccount
Agree to the registration declarations
Pay the AUD $25 registration fee
You can be inside or outside Australia when you register. However, if selected, you can only lodge your first Subclass 462 visa application from outside Australia.
National Identity Card Requirements by Country
This is a common point of error — read carefully.
Country | Required ID | Not Accepted |
India | Valid PAN card | Aadhaar card |
Vietnam | Valid 12-digit national ID card | Old 9-digit card |
China | Valid national identity card | — |
Your national ID number must be entered accurately on the registration form. You cannot change it after submission.
How to Register: Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Create or Log In to ImmiAccount
Go to ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Create a new account if you do not already have one.
Step 2 — Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is mandatory for all ImmiAccount users. Complete this step before attempting to register.
Step 3 — Start a New Application
From the ImmiAccount homepage, select New application, then click on Visa pre-application registration.
Step 4 — Select the Registration Form
Click on Registration – Work and Holiday Visa (462). The form will appear.
Step 5 — Select Your Passport Country
Select your eligible country (China, India or Vietnam).
Step 6 — Complete the Form
Fill in all required personal information, including your full name, date of birth, passport number and national ID number. Double-check every field — errors in your national ID or passport details cannot be corrected after you submit.
Step 7 — Verify Your Email Address
If you have not already verified your email, do this before attempting to submit. You cannot submit without a verified email address.
Step 8 — Pay the Registration Fee and Submit
Pay the AUD $25 registration fee and click Submit. Once payment is received, your registration status in ImmiAccount will change from Draft to Received.
Only registrations with Received status enter the ballot pool. A Draft registration is not included.
What Happens After You Register?
Once your registration status shows Received, your entry joins the ballot pool for your country.
The Department of Home Affairs will conduct random selections between 2 July 2026 and 30 April 2027. Multiple selections may occur throughout the year.
If you are selected:
You will receive a Notification of Selection letter by email on the day of selection
You will have 28 calendar days from that date to lodge your Subclass 462 visa application in ImmiAccount
The cutoff is midnight AEST on the 28th day — do not wait until the last day
Your ImmiAccount registration status will change to Selected
Selection is an invitation to apply — it does not guarantee visa grant. You must still meet all Subclass 462 eligibility criteria.
If you are not selected:
The Department will not notify you of non-selection
Do not contact the Department requesting selection — the process is automated and no exceptions are made on compassionate or other grounds
Your registration remains in the pool until 30 April 2027 or until one of the early-exit conditions occurs (see below)
When Your Registration Expires
Your registration will be removed from the ballot pool when the first of the following occurs:
The selection period ends (30 April 2027)
You are randomly selected
You withdraw your registration
You turn 31 years of age
After Selection: Applying for the Visa
If selected, gather your documents and lodge your application in ImmiAccount as soon as possible. Do not rely on having the full 28 days.
You must upload a copy of both sides of your national ID card under "National Identity Document (other than Passport)" when you submit your visa application. The ID card details on your visa application must match the details you provided at ballot registration.
If you have received a new passport after being selected, you must provide both old and new passport details on the visa application form.
If you are 30 years old at the time of selection, submit your application before your 31st birthday. If you submit while still 30 but turn 31 before a decision is made, you remain eligible for visa grant.
Key Rules to Understand
You can only register once per ballot per program year. Submitting multiple registrations is not permitted.
The AUD $25 fee is non-refundable. This applies even if you are not selected, or if you withdraw your registration by mistake.
You cannot change your national ID number or country of passport after submitting your registration.
You can update your email address, passport details (if renewed) and certain contact information while your registration is in Received status.
The ballot is entirely random. The system uses no criteria to prioritise registrations. Education, financial status, previous applications and work experience play no role in selection.
Second and third Subclass 462 visa applicants are not affected. China and Vietnam passport holders already granted a first Subclass 462 visa can apply for a second or third visa directly through ImmiAccount without entering the ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ballot the same as the visa application?
No. The ballot is a pre-application registration process. If selected, you then lodge a separate Subclass 462 visa application within 28 days. You will need to pay the visa application fee at that point, in addition to the AUD $25 ballot registration fee.
Can I register if I am currently in Australia?
Yes. You can register from inside or outside Australia. However, if selected, you must be outside Australia when you lodge the visa application.
What if I save a Draft but forget to submit before 25 June?
A draft registration does not enter the ballot pool. You must pay the fee and submit before the registration period closes. After 25 June 2026, the ballot closes and you cannot register for the 2026–27 program year.
Can I register again if I withdraw?
Yes, if the ballot registration period is still open. Once the registration period closes on 25 June 2026, withdrawing and re-registering is not possible for the current program year. Withdrawn registrations cannot be reinstated.
What is MFA and why is it required?
Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is a security step that verifies your identity each time you log in to ImmiAccount. It is now mandatory for all users. ImmiAccount provides a step-by-step guide to set it up.
Will the selection dates be announced in advance?
The Department will publish selection dates on its website shortly after each round takes place. Individual selection dates for China, India and Vietnam within the 2 July 2026–30 April 2027 window are listed as TBA at the time of publication.
Does the ballot apply to the Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa?
No. Subclass 417 places are not capped. There is no ballot for Subclass 417 applicants from any country.
I am turning 31 soon — should I still register?
Yes, provided you are 30 or under at the time of registration. If selected, you must lodge your visa application before your 31st birthday (midnight AEST). If you are already 31 before you submit your online application, you are not eligible.
Next Steps
The ballot registration window is open now and closes 25 June 2026. There are no exceptions for late registrations.
If you are from China, India or Vietnam and plan to apply for your first Work and Holiday visa during the 2026–27 program year:
Create or log in to your ImmiAccount today
Set up MFA if not already done
Complete the registration form and verify your email
Pay AUD $25 and submit before 25 June 2026
Monitor your ImmiAccount and email for selection notifications
For a full breakdown of Subclass 462 eligibility requirements, English thresholds, education criteria and second-year pathways, visit our Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) guide.
If you have questions about whether the ballot applies to your situation or need help preparing your visa application after selection, book a consultation with a RACC registered migration agent.
The information on this page is based on Department of Home Affairs policy current as at 10 June 2026. Immigration policy and visa conditions can change. This article is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. We strongly recommend speaking with a MARA-registered migration agent before making any visa-related decisions.
Comments