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Australia Pauses First 462 Visa Applications for 24 Countries

Riverwood Migration

August 24, 2026

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Australia has paused first Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) applications for 24 capped countries, affecting many young travellers planning to work and travel in Australia.

The change does not mean the Working Holiday Maker program has been suspended. However, it highlights how quickly visa availability can change under Australia's capped Work and Holiday arrangements.

What Has Changed?

Australia's Working Holiday Maker program operates through two visa subclasses:

Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa
Available to passport holders from 19 countries and jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Hong Kong SAR. These arrangements are generally not subject to annual country caps.

Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa
Available to passport holders from a separate group of partner countries. Many of these countries have annual caps on first visa applications.

Home Affairs currently lists first Subclass 462 applications from 24 capped countries as paused.

China, India and Vietnam operate under separate ballot arrangements for first Subclass 462 visas, while San Marino and Türkiye remain open at the time of writing.

Importantly, these country caps do not apply to second or third Work and Holiday visas.

Does “Paused” Mean the Visa Is Closed?

No.

Home Affairs may temporarily pause applications when a country's annual allocation is approaching its cap, to manage application volumes across the program year, or to support broader migration settings.

A paused status can change during the year, so applicants should check the current Home Affairs country-cap status before making plans or attempting to lodge.

WHM Demand Remains High

The pause comes as Australia's Working Holiday Maker program continues to see strong demand.

At 30 June 2025, there were 210,971 WHM visa holders in Australia, up 21.8% from 173,216 a year earlier.

Visa costs have also increased significantly. From 1 July 2026, the application charge increased to:

First 417 or 462 visa: AUD $840
Second 417 or 462 visa: AUD $1,000
Third 417 or 462 visa: AUD $1,000

For applicants considering Australia, checking visa availability and planning early is becoming increasingly important.

What Should You Do If Your Country Is Paused?

If you were planning to apply for your first Subclass 462 visa, a paused country cap does not necessarily mean the opportunity is gone.

Your next step will depend on your nationality, age, qualifications, work experience and longer-term plans in Australia.

Depending on your circumstances, other pathways may include a Student visa, an employer-sponsored Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482), or skilled migration.

If you already hold a Working Holiday Maker visa and are considering a second or third visa, remember that the country caps applying to first Subclass 462 visas do not apply in the same way to subsequent WHM visas.

Planning to Work or Stay in Australia?

WHM settings can change during the program year, and a pathway that is available today may look different by the time you are ready to apply.

If your first 462 application is currently paused, or you are already in Australia and want to understand your options beyond a Working Holiday visa, get advice before making your next move.

Our migration team can assess your circumstances and help you understand the visa pathways that may be available to you.

The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change. The information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a registered Australian migration lawyer. For full terms governing use of this website and its content, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.

Speak with a Riverwood Migration Lawyer

As a regulated Australian migration law practice, Riverwood Migration provides precise, personalised advice on visa strategy, compliance, and application preparation. Speak with our expert legal team. Book a consultation to discuss your circumstances.