Australian Immigration Daily News

The Migration Amendment (Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa) Regulations 2024 introduces significant changes to the application process for the Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa. The key amendment is the implementation of a visa pre-application process, often referred to as a "ballot," for applicants from certain countries. This process requires applicants from specified foreign countries, such as China, India, and Vietnam, to be randomly selected in a ballot before they can submit a valid visa application.

The amendment aims to manage the high demand for Subclass 462 visas from these countries more effectively and to ensure a fair distribution of visas. The ballot process allows all registered participants an equal opportunity to be selected, addressing the issue of oversubscription relative to the agreed visa allocation for each participating country.

The regulations also include provisions to maintain the integrity of the process, ensuring that applicants continue to hold a valid passport from the specified country throughout the application stages. The amendments are set to commence on 16 September 2024 and will apply to new applicants who have not previously held a Subclass 462 visa.

These regulations are consistent with Australia's legislative framework, allowing the government to respond swiftly to emerging situations, such as managing visa demand. The amendments are also deemed compatible with human rights, as they introduce a fair and equitable process for managing visa applications where demand significantly exceeds supply.

Overall, these changes are designed to maintain the integrity of the Subclass 462 visa program while ensuring that visa allocations are managed fairly and transparently across participating countries.

Source: Migration-Amendment-Subclass-462-Work-and-Holiday-Visa-Regulations-2024.pdf and Migration-Amendment-Subclass-462-Work-and-Holiday-Visa-Regulations-2024-explanatory-statement.pdf