Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)

Step 1: Step 1 - Before you apply: check whether applications are still open for the country of issue of your passport (there is an annual visa limit or 'cap' for each eligible country except the United States of America). You can organise health examinations and appoint someone to help you with your application. China, India and Vietnam passport holders must first take part in the visa pre-application process (ballot) and be randomly selected.

Step 2: Step 2 - Gather your documents: identity documents, evidence of your education qualification, evidence of Functional English, a letter of support from your government if your country requires one, evidence you have enough money (usually about AUD5,000) and to leave Australia, and character documents if we ask for them. Have non-English documents translated into English and scan or photograph them in colour.

Step 3: Step 3 - Apply for the visa: log in or create an ImmiAccount, attach your documents, pay the application fee (we will not process your application until you pay it) and note the transaction reference number.

Step 4: Step 4 - After you apply: do not arrange travel to Australia until we tell you in writing that we have granted the visa. We might ask for biometrics or health examinations, you can attach more documents through ImmiAccount, and you must tell us if your situation changes.

Step 5: Step 5 - Visa outcome: we will let you know our decision in writing. If we grant the visa we tell you your visa grant number, the date your visa starts and your visa conditions. If we refuse it, we tell you why and whether you have a right to review.