Australia Work and Holiday Visa for Indians: Subclass 462 Ballot Guide 2026–27
Updated September 2026. Indian passport holders cannot directly lodge a first Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa application whenever they choose. India is one of the countries managed through Australia’s visa pre-application ballot system.
How does the Indian Subclass 462 ballot work?
Home Affairs states that eligible passport holders from India must participate in the Work and Holiday visa pre-application process and be randomly selected before they can apply for a first Subclass 462 visa.
What is the annual Indian cap?
Home Affairs currently lists an annual grant cap of 1,000 first Subclass 462 visas for India.
What happened to the 2026–27 registration round?
Home Affairs states that registrations for the China, India and Vietnam Work and Holiday ballot for Program Year 2026–27 closed on 25 June 2026. Applicants should check current Home Affairs ballot-status information for later selection updates rather than relying on social media.
Who can apply if selected?
The first Subclass 462 visa generally requires the applicant to:
- hold a passport from an eligible country;
- be aged 18 to 30 inclusive;
- apply from outside Australia;
- not be accompanied by dependent children; and
- meet the other education, English, health, character and visa criteria that apply.
How long can an Indian Subclass 462 holder stay?
The first Work and Holiday Visa allows a stay of up to 12 months. It permits short-term work, travel and study for up to four months, subject to visa conditions.
Can it lead to a second Subclass 462?
Potentially. A visa holder who completes the required period of specified Subclass 462 work and satisfies the other criteria may qualify for a second Work and Holiday Visa.
Does ballot selection guarantee the visa?
No. Selection only gives the person an opportunity to make a visa application. The applicant must still satisfy all substantive visa requirements.
Official guidance
See the Home Affairs Subclass 462 page and country cap and ballot status.
Need advice after ballot selection?
Emigrate Lawyers can assess eligibility and document issues before a selected Indian applicant lodges the Subclass 462 visa. Contact our migration team.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Ballot dates and program settings can change.
Madhab Kharel
Principal Lawyer & Director, Emigrate Lawyers
Madhab Kharel is the Principal Lawyer and Director of Emigrate Lawyers, an Australian law firm assisting clients across Australia and internationally. His migration law practice includes Partner Visas, Protection Visas, visa refusals and cancellations, Administrative Review Tribunal matters, health and character issues, Schedule 3, Section 48, sponsorship limitations and employer-sponsored migration. He regularly advises clients with complex immigration histories and matters requiring detailed legal submissions and evidence strategy.
Reviewed by Madhab Kharel, Principal Lawyer
Date reviewed: 21 September 2026
