Australia to Launch New Ballot System for Work and Holiday Visas

Australia is launching a new ballot system for Work and Holiday Visas (subclass 462) for high-demand countries like China, Vietnam, and India ¹. This system aims to provide a fair and transparent process for applicants, as the current first-come, first-served system has been criticized for being unfair ². Here's how it works:

- Registration: Applicants from eligible countries will need to register for the ballot, paying a fee of AUD 25 ³.

- Random Selection: A computer will randomly select a certain number of applicants from the pool of registered individuals ³.

- Invitation to Apply: Those selected will be invited to formally apply for the Work and Holiday visa online ³.

This new pre-application system will only affect first-time Work and Holiday visa applicants from China, Vietnam, and India ³. Applicants who have already received their first Work and Holiday visa can continue applying for the second or third visa online through the Immi Account system ³.