What is the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa Arrangement with China?
Since 2015 China and Australia have agreed to establish a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa arrangement. This arrangement was designed for young Chinese people with tertiary education and English skills, it allows up to 5,000 applicants to experience a working holiday in Australia per year.
The Australian embassy of China claims that the Work and Holiday visa provides a “unique, once in a lifetime opportunity for Chinese participants” (dfat, 2022). It is an opportunity for closer cultural ties between China and Australia.
Note: if you have already submitted a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa application that is still pending, these applications will still be progressed.
What can you do on the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
- Stay 12 months in Australia, from their date of first arrival
- Work for 12-months
- Work for longer than six months with any one employer until 31 December 2022
- Study for up to 4 months
What are the eligibility criteria for the subclass 462 agreement with China?
Chinese Work and Holiday visa applicants generally must meet the following:
- Be invited to apply, after submitting an EOI
- Hold a valid People’s republic of China (PRC) passport
- Be between 18 – 31 years old inclusive at the time your application is lodged
- Don’t have a dependent child that is with you while in Australia
- Have the financial means to enter Australia, support yourself while onshore and leave Australia at the end of your stay
- Not have previously held a Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa or a Working Holiday (Subclass 417) Visa
- Hold tertiary qualifications or have successfully completed at least 2 years of undergraduate university study
- Have functional English (see below)
- Meet health and character requirements
- Be a genuine visitor
- Not have had any visa previously cancelled or application
Note: notarised copies of all your qualifications and academic transcripts should be provided with your application
Some applicants may be requested to provide additional information after lodgement
What is the application process for the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa Arrangement with China?
You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
What is an EOI when applying for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
An EOI is an expression of interest, to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) to initially express interest in making an application and your eligibility. People’s Republic of China (PRC) passport holders must submit an expression of interest (EOI) for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. The EOI selection is a random process and is not based on any criteria. For 2022 applications; you must submit an EOI before the 28th of March 2022
Only one EOI per person will be accepted, do not submit multiple EOIs.
the steps of this application
- Submit an EOI for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) via theEOI web form.
- Once you have submitted your EOI, this will be acknowledged on your screen (You won’t receive a conformation email that your EOI has been received)
- The Department of Home Affairs will start inviting people to apply for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa in April 2022
- If your EOI is selected, you will receive an invitation to apply for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa
- you can only use it once to apply for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa
- You must lodge your application within the timeframe provided in the invitation email
- Your EOI will remain in the selection pool until June 2023. If your EOI is not selected in the 2022 pool you will not be notified by the Department of Home Affairs. Do not submit another EOI, your EOI will still be valid for the next round of invitations
- If you are invited to apply for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa you must lodge your application online, paper applications are no longer being used
- Your invitation to apply will provide you with a timeframe in which you must lodge your application
- After you lodge your application, you must wait to receive a visa grant letter
- Your visa grant letter will outline a date you can enter Australia as well your visa conditions, your 12-month stay begins from the date you enter Australia.
If you do not lodge an application by the date specified, the invitation will expire, and you will not be able to lodge an application. You will not be invited again for this EOI selection period. You can only ever apply once for this visa. If your application is unsuccessful, you cannot apply again.
This does not mean that if you are not invited to apply during this EOI selection period or you do not lodge an application after being invited within the timeframe outlined in your invitation, that you cannot submit another EOI after June 2023.
If your visa is refused, you will be informed:
- why your visa was refused
- if you have a right to a review of the decision
How much does the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa application cost?
AUD650（Update date：2024.07）
Your application fee will need to be paid when you submit your visa application online. There is no cost associated with submitting an EOI.
Additional costs: You might also have to pay other costs for each applicant for health checks, police certificates and biometrics
Travel exemptions: From 15 December 2021 – fully vaccinated Working Holiday Makers (subclass 462 visa holders) can come to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption
What is functional English when applying for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
For this specific visa you must have the equivalent to IELTS 4.5 or higher. See below the equivalent:
- you have completed a relevant approved English language test or assessment
- you have undertaken relevant education
You must have valid evidence of English proficiency; evidence this with test results from within the last 3 years, you must have achieved:
| Test | Minimum score |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | Overall minimum total score of 4.5Must have at least a score of 5 in the 4 parts |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | Overall minimum total score of 644 for listening, 4 for reading, 14, for writing, 14 for speaking |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | Minimum score: B in each of the 4 parts |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced Test | Overall minimum total score 169Minimum 154 in each of the 4 test components |
This evidence of your English language proficiency must be submitted at the time you submit your visa application, along with your other supporting documentation.
What are the processing times for the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa?
- 50% of applications: 1 Days
- 90% of applications: 58 Days
（Update date：2024.07）
How long can I stay on a Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa?
This is a temporary visa: If you are granted a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa, it will be valid for one year from the date you arrive in Australia
Note: You cannot stay in Australia longer by extending this visa.
What are the health requirements when applying for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
To be eligible for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa, you must meet the health requirements.
You should not complete your health examinations if you have not been invited to lodge an application for a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa
When entering Australia with a Peoples Republic of China (PRC) passport you will most likely need to complete the following:
- Medical examination
- Hepatitis B and C test
- Chest x-ray
- HIV test
For details of the panel physicians in China see this page.
Note: The cost of the health examination will not be refunded if your visa application is not granted
I held a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa but was unable to enter Australia due to COVID19, has my visa expired?
The Australian Government put concessions in place to allow Work and Holiday makers who were unable to travel to Australia or had to leave Australia early due to COVID-19, to re-apply with a nil Visa Application Charge (VAC) Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa or request a refund for the VAC if they were over the age limit (31) to reapply.
If you are outside of Australia and held a first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa but were unable to use it due to COVID-19 you may consider applying for an offshore nil VAC Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. You do not need to submit an EOI, as you have been granted a Work and Holiday visa previously.
What are my rights under a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
All workers in Australia, are covered by the same workplace laws regarding their pay and conditions
The Fair Work Ombudsman ensures compliance with Australia’s workplace laws
For more information, see: Simplified Chinese – 简体中文 – Fair Work Ombudsman
What are my obligations when on a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
- You must obey Australian laws and meet all visa conditions (visa conditions are outlined in your visa grant letter)
- Inform the department if anything changes. This includes changes to your relationship status, the birth of a child (or stepchild) and any changes to personal details such as phone number, address, or passport.
- You must pay taxeswhen you work in Australia on this visa
Do I need health insurance on a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa?
It is important you arrange to have health insurance when travelling as you are personally liable for any medical expenses including unforeseen circumstances. See more on health insurance for overseas visitors
