Visa snapshot
Verified on 17 June 2026Work and study
- Work rights
- Any kind of work; usually max 6 months with the same employer. Tax + superannuation apply.
- Study rights
- Study up to 4 months (17 weeks)
Funds and health
- Funds required
- ~AUD 5,000 + onward fare
- Health and insurance
- Must meet health requirements. May need to undergo a medical examination
- Health and insurance details →
Extensions
- Further stay
- Available, conditions apply
Quota or ballot
- Allocation
- Cap 5,000/yr
- Ballot: Yes (pre-application ballot)
Reciprocal healthcare
- Agreement in place
- No
- Private health insurance needed
On this page
Eligibility at a glance
- Passport: This route is for Chinese citizens, so you must apply on a valid Chinese passport.
- Age: You must be aged 18 to 30 when you apply, not when you travel.
- Funds: ~AUD 5,000 + onward fare
- Health: Must meet health requirements. May need to undergo a medical examination
- Ballot: Places are allocated by ballot. Yes (pre-application ballot)
Eligibility and conditions
Who can apply
Functional English (universal 462 requirement). Education: tertiary qualification (degree/diploma/graduate certificate) or 2 years undergraduate study. Pre-application ballot.
- Functional English (universal 462 requirement)
- Education: tertiary qualification (degree/diploma/graduate certificate) or 2 years undergraduate study
- Pre-application ballot
General conditions
Per-country education requirement (US: Senior Secondary Certificate or equivalent); Functional English required (UK/US/CA/NZ/IE passports satisfy automatically); some countries need a letter of support (not US). China/India/Vietnam require a ballot (pre-application). Apply from outside Australia; no dependent children.
Extensions
Second visa extension
2nd W&H: 3 months of specified subclass 462 work.
Third visa extension
3rd W&H: 6 months of specified subclass 462 work.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the Australian Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Apply Now →Get ready for Australia
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Essential setup
Banking
Open a local account soon after you arrive in Australia so you can get paid and skip foreign-card fees. Most banks let you start the application online before you land.
Mobile and connectivity
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Plan and book your trip
Useful tools for arranging your insurance, flights and first accommodation.
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SafetyWing
Travel medical insurance for your Australia working holiday.
Skyscanner
Compare flights to Australia from hundreds of airlines.
Hostelworld
Book your first nights in Australia. Hostels and budget stays.
Your first-week checklist
The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.