Australia Pauses Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa Applications From 24 Countries

Australia has temporarily paused Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa applications for passport holders from 24 countries because demand has approached annual country caps.

The pause affects first Subclass 462 visa applications and does not currently apply to the separate Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa program.

Which Countries Does the Subclass 462 Visa Pause Affect?

Home Affairs currently lists the following 24 countries with Paused status for first Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa applications:

Important tip: Home Affairs can change a country’s status during the program year, so applicants should continue checking the official country-cap status before planning an application.

Why Has Australia Paused Subclass 462 Visa Applications?

Australia limits the number of first Subclass 462 visas available to citizens of many participating countries each program year.

Because demand has become very strong, applications from some countries may approach or exceed the number of available places. As a result, Home Affairs can temporarily pause new applications.

Importantly, a pause does not necessarily mean the program has permanently closed for that country.

Can Subclass 462 Visa Applications Reopen?

Yes. Home Affairs can change a country’s status from Paused to Open during the current program year, which runs until the end of June 2027.

However, applicants should not assume that applications will definitely reopen.

At the time of the update, Indonesia and Mongolia were specifically identified as countries that may reopen later in the program year.

Important tip: Check the official country-cap status before making travel plans because availability can change.

Does this Affect Second or Third Visas?

Not necessarily.

Annual country caps apply to the first Subclass 462 visa grants. Therefore, eligible applicants may still be able to lodge a second or third Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa application.

Applicants should still check that they meet the relevant requirements before applying.

What About China, India, and Vietnam?

China, India, and Vietnam also have annual limits under the Subclass 462 program.

However, Australia manages applications from these countries through a pre-application ballot system, where selected applicants receive the opportunity to apply.

Therefore, these countries do not follow exactly the same pause process as the 24 countries listed above.

Does the Subclass 462 Visa Pause Affect Subclass 417 Visas?

No. The Subclass 462 visa pause does not apply to people who qualify for the separate Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa.

For example, eligible UK passport holders fall under the Subclass 417 program rather than the affected Subclass 462 country-cap system.

However, high application volumes may still contribute to longer processing times across Work and Holiday programs.

What Should Applicants Do During the Visa Pause?

If your country appears on the paused list, monitor Home Affairs updates and wait for the status to change before trying to lodge a first Subclass 462 visa.

You should also avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements based on an expected reopening date.

If you already hold a first Subclass 462 visa and want to apply for a second or third visa, check whether you meet the relevant eligibility requirements.

How Could the Subclass 462 Visa Pause Affect Australian Businesses?

The Subclass 462 Visa pause may create workforce challenges for employers that rely on temporary and seasonal workers.

Industries that may feel the impact include:

• agriculture;
• hospitality;
• tourism; and
• regional businesses.

Therefore, businesses that depend on Work and Holiday Visa holders may need to plan recruitment earlier and monitor visa availability more closely.

Key Takeaway

The Subclass 462 visa pause does not mean Australia has permanently closed the Work and Holiday program for the affected countries.

Instead, first-visa applications from 24 countries currently remain temporarily unavailable because of strong demand and annual country caps.

Applicants should continue monitoring Home Affairs throughout the 2026–27 program year because country statuses may move between Open, Paused, and Closed.

If you are unsure how the pause affects your circumstances or whether another visa option may be available, Emigrate Lawyers can provide legal advice and help you understand your available pathways.

Disclaimer: This article summarises the reported Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa update as at August 2026. Country-cap statuses can change, so applicants should check the latest Home Affairs information before taking action.