Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa: Complete Guide (2026)
Published 2026-02-14
Key Facts — Subclass 462 at a Glance
Visa type: Temporary (working holiday). Duration: 12 months initially, with potential for 2nd and 3rd year extensions. Application cost (2025–26): $640. Processing time: 14–50 days. Age: 18–30 (inclusive) at time of application (some countries allow up to 35). English requirement: Functional English (IELTS 4.5 overall or equivalent). Education requirement: Completed at least 2 years of tertiary study. Annual caps apply per country. Government support letter required for some nationalities. Work limitation: 6 months with any one employer (unless exempted).
What is the Subclass 462 Visa?
The Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa allows young adults from eligible countries to holiday in Australia for up to 12 months, with the option to work to fund their travels. It is similar to the more well-known Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa, but covers different countries and has slightly different requirements. The 462 was created to accommodate bilateral agreements with countries where the 417 arrangement was not suitable — often because additional requirements like English testing, tertiary education, or government endorsement were needed. The 462 covers countries including Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea (from 2025), Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, USA, and Vietnam. The list is updated periodically as new bilateral agreements are signed.
462 vs 417: What's the Difference?
Both the 462 and 417 are working holiday visas with similar rights, but there are key differences. Eligible countries: The 417 covers countries like the UK, Canada, Ireland, France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea (historically). The 462 covers countries listed above — generally nations with more recent bilateral arrangements. English requirement: The 417 has no English test requirement (most 417 countries are English-speaking or have strong English education). The 462 requires Functional English (IELTS 4.5 overall or equivalent). Education: The 417 has no education requirement. The 462 requires at least 2 years of completed tertiary study. Government support: Some 462 countries require a government support letter from your home government. The 417 does not. Annual caps: The 462 has country-specific annual caps on the number of visas granted. The 417 has fewer restrictions on numbers. Once in Australia, both visas provide essentially the same rights: work, study (up to 4 months), and travel freely.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the 462 visa, you must hold a passport from an eligible country, be aged 18–30 (some countries allow up to 35 — check your country's specific arrangement), have completed at least 2 years of undergraduate tertiary study, demonstrate Functional English (IELTS 4.5 overall, or equivalent PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, or OET scores), obtain a government support letter if required by your country (for example, China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam require this), have sufficient funds for your initial stay (approximately $5,000 AUD), have a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one, meet health and character requirements, and not have previously held a 462 visa (unless applying for a 2nd or 3rd year). You must apply from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
Work Rights and Limitations
The 462 visa allows you to work in Australia to support your holiday, with one important restriction: you can only work for the same employer for a maximum of 6 months (unless you receive an exemption or the work is in specified sectors in regional areas). This rule is designed to ensure the visa is used for its intended purpose — a working holiday, not ongoing employment. Exemptions to the 6-month rule exist for certain industries and regions. Work in agriculture, tourism and hospitality, plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, mining, construction, bushfire recovery, flood recovery, and critical COVID-19 work in healthcare and food supply have historically qualified. These exemptions may change, so check current rules. You can also study for up to 4 months during your 12-month visa.
Second and Third Year Extensions
One of the biggest incentives of the 462 visa is the ability to extend your stay to 2 or even 3 years in Australia. To qualify for a second year (2nd 462 visa): you must complete at least 88 days (approximately 3 months) of specified work in regional Australia during your first year. Specified work includes agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, construction, bushfire/flood recovery work, and certain tourism and hospitality work in very remote areas. To qualify for a third year (3rd 462 visa): you must complete at least 6 months (179 days) of specified work in regional Australia during your second year. The regional work requirement serves Australia's economic needs — many regional industries face chronic labour shortages, and working holiday makers are an important source of workers. Keep detailed records of your regional work: payslips, employment contracts, tax records, and a log of days worked. You will need this evidence when applying for your 2nd or 3rd visa.
Tax and Superannuation
Working holiday makers in Australia are taxed at a special rate. As of 2025–26, the first $45,000 of income is taxed at 15%, and income above that is taxed at standard marginal rates. This is a flat rate with no tax-free threshold — unlike Australian residents who have an $18,200 tax-free threshold. You will need to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) before starting work. Your employer must withhold tax from your pay. At the end of the financial year (30 June), you should lodge a tax return — you may be entitled to a refund if too much tax was withheld. Superannuation: Your employer must pay 11.5% superannuation on top of your wages. When you leave Australia permanently, you can claim your superannuation as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). Note that DASP payments are taxed at 65% for working holiday makers — a significant deduction, but it is still money you would otherwise leave behind.
Practical Tips for Making the Most of Your 462
Plan your regional work early: if you want a 2nd year, start your specified regional work within the first few months. Don't leave it until the end of your visa. Build a documentation habit: keep every payslip, contract, and record of days worked. Use a spreadsheet to track your specified work days. Research before you go: some regions and industries offer better pay and conditions than others. Fruit picking, for example, is notoriously variable — some farms pay well, others do not. Look for employers registered with the Australian Government's Harvest Trail program. Get health insurance: while not technically a visa condition for 462 holders from all countries, having travel/health insurance is strongly recommended. Australian medical bills for uninsured visitors are extremely expensive. Open an Australian bank account as soon as you arrive — most employers pay electronically. Major banks (CommBank, ANZ, Westpac, NAB) allow you to open accounts online before arriving.
Costs Summary
Visa application fee: $640. English language test: $300–$400 (IELTS, PTE, or equivalent). Government support letter: varies by country ($0–$100). Medical examination: $300–$500 (if required). Police clearance: $50–$100. Health insurance: $500–$1,500 for 12 months. Flights: varies significantly. Recommended initial funds: $5,000 AUD minimum. Total upfront costs (excluding flights): approximately $2,000–$3,000. Migration agent fees are generally not necessary for 462 applications — most applicants apply themselves. However, if you have a complex situation (previous visa refusal, health issues, character concerns), an agent can help. Agent fees for the 462 are typically $500–$1,500.
When to Use a Migration Agent
The 462 is generally a straightforward visa application that most people can handle themselves. The online application form is clear, and the requirements are well-documented. However, consider using a migration agent if you have had a previous Australian visa refusal or cancellation, you have health or character issues that might complicate your application, you are unsure whether your tertiary qualifications meet the requirement, you need help obtaining a government support letter, or you want to understand how the 462 fits into a longer-term migration strategy (for example, transitioning from a 462 to a student visa or skilled visa). Search our directory at /migration-agents for agents who can assist, or verify any agent's MARA registration at /tools/mara-check.
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