Amid a flurry of December immigration tweaks, the Department of Home Affairs reminded would-be Work and Holiday makers that 16 December 2025 is the final day to lodge pre-applications for countries participating in the Subclass 462 ballot process. The notice, flagged in an immigration round-up published on 1 December, applies to China, India and Vietnam — the only nationalities using the ballot system. Their annual caps are typically exhausted quickly under the current allocation rules. Indonesia is not part of the ballot and continues to use a standard first-come, first-served quota system.
After 16 December, applicants from ballot countries (China, India and Vietnam) will need to await the 2026 program year – or potentially face new eligibility criteria as the government reviews health-insurance and regional-work requirements. Travel agents report a 40 per cent spike in enquiries since last week’s reminder, while backpacker-hostel operators are bracing for a January lull if ballot allocations lapse before seasonal farm-work demand peaks.
![Deadline looms for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) applicants as pre-lodgement window closes 16 December]()
For employers in agriculture, hospitality and tourism who rely on the Subclass 462 cohort, the timing is awkward: many will be scrambling to secure labour for the Christmas harvest and summer holiday rush. Mobility advisers suggest businesses cross-check status via VEVO before issuing contracts and consider short-term alternatives such as the Seasonal Worker Programme or the impending Pacific Engagement Visa ballot.
Although Work and Holiday visas are not primary corporate-relocation vehicles, delays can hit regional supply chains that feed into national projects – from airport catering to remote-site hospitality. Companies with subcontractors in those sectors should monitor staffing levels and build flexibility into service-delivery agreements.
The government is expected to publish the 2026 country caps and any amended eligibility rules in February, leaving a six-week window where no new Subclass 462 applications can be lodged for ballot-regulated countries only. Employers and applicants alike are urged to submit complete, decision-ready files before the 16 December cut-off if they fall under the ballot process (China, India, Vietnam) to avoid a long seasonal hiatus. Applicants from non-ballot countries such as Indonesia are not affected by this ballot cut-off.
After 16 December, applicants from ballot countries (China, India and Vietnam) will need to await the 2026 program year – or potentially face new eligibility criteria as the government reviews health-insurance and regional-work requirements. Travel agents report a 40 per cent spike in enquiries since last week’s reminder, while backpacker-hostel operators are bracing for a January lull if ballot allocations lapse before seasonal farm-work demand peaks.
For employers in agriculture, hospitality and tourism who rely on the Subclass 462 cohort, the timing is awkward: many will be scrambling to secure labour for the Christmas harvest and summer holiday rush. Mobility advisers suggest businesses cross-check status via VEVO before issuing contracts and consider short-term alternatives such as the Seasonal Worker Programme or the impending Pacific Engagement Visa ballot.
Although Work and Holiday visas are not primary corporate-relocation vehicles, delays can hit regional supply chains that feed into national projects – from airport catering to remote-site hospitality. Companies with subcontractors in those sectors should monitor staffing levels and build flexibility into service-delivery agreements.
The government is expected to publish the 2026 country caps and any amended eligibility rules in February, leaving a six-week window where no new Subclass 462 applications can be lodged for ballot-regulated countries only. Employers and applicants alike are urged to submit complete, decision-ready files before the 16 December cut-off if they fall under the ballot process (China, India, Vietnam) to avoid a long seasonal hiatus. Applicants from non-ballot countries such as Indonesia are not affected by this ballot cut-off.
