Good News for Indians! Australia offers 1,000 Work and Holiday Visas from Oct 1, 2024

Australia is offering 1,000 work and holiday visas annually for Indian citizens from October 1, 2024, allowing them to study, work, and travel for 12 months.

This initiative is part of the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), which has been in effect since December 2022.

Piyush Goyal (Commerce and Industry Minister), after their trip to Australia, stated that– “During the visit, I was happy to learn that the Work and Holiday visa, a key commitment under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, will be operational from 1st October 2024. This will facilitate mobility and deepen people-to-people connections.”

The work and holiday visa, i.e., subclass 462, allows Indians from the age group between 18 and 30 to live, work, study, and travel in Australia for 12 months.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, Indians can study for up to four months and leave and re-enter the country multiple times during their stay.   

However, to become eligible for work and holiday visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be under 30 years of age.
• You must have a valid passport.
• You must have a national identity card, i.e., a PAN card.
• You must have a valid email address.
• You must pay the required registration fee.

Moving forward, it is stated that the Work and Holiday visa operates under the ballot system to ensure a fair distribution of visa slots.

Immigration Australia states that– “We will hold an annual ballot process for each participating country each program year. There may be different registration and selection open periods for each country participating in the ballots.” 

As the selection process is random and automated, this system ensures a fair visa slot distribution. 

Here’s how you can register yourself for this visa:

1. Log in to your ImmiAccount.
2. Select ‘Registration– Work and Holiday visa (462).
3. Complete the registration form and select your passport country.
4. Pay the registration fee to submit your form.

Once you submit your registration, you will receive an ‘acknowledgment letter’ via email. Your registration status will be updated as ‘received’ in ImmiAccount. 

After you register, you can:

1. View and edit your registration form if necessary.
2. Check the status of your registration.
3. Update your details if necessary. 

If you are selected, you will have 28 calendar days to apply for Work and Holiday visa.  

If your registration is not selected, you won’t be able to apply for this visa. Registrations remain valid until April 30, 2025, or you turn 31. 

If you miss this year’s ballot and are still eligible, you can register for next year’s ballot.