CAP INCREASE FOR 2022-23 YEAR

For 2022-23 only, there will be a 30 per cent cap increase to the number of places available to working holiday makers from countries with which Australia has a capped Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa arrangement. This one-off cap increase will commence from 1 July 2022.

WORKING IN ALL ECONOMY  SECTORS

From 19 January 2022, WHMs working in any sector anywhere in Australia may continue to work for the same employer or organisation for longer than six months without requesting permission. This arrangement will be in place until 31 December 2022 when it will be reviewed by the Government.

REFUNDS

Between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022, Working Holiday Maker (WHM) (subclasses 417 and 462) visa holders who arrive in Australia can apply for a refund of the visa application charge (VAC). From 5 March 2022 to 31 December 2022, eligible current and former WHMs in Australia can apply for a WHM visa with nil VAC. 

462 VISA TO BE OPEN FOR YOUNG INDIAN CITIZENS 

The Australia-India Economic Bilateral Agreement (AI ECTA) signed on 2 April 2022 will now open Australia to 1,000 young Indian citizens per year to work and holiday in Australia

Within two years, Australia will put in place arrangements to allow eligible Indian citizens aged between 18 and 30 to apply for a Work and Holiday visa to visit Australia for one year and undertake short-term work and study while holidaying.  

462 PROCESSING TIME

Applications which had been on-hand while Australia’s borders were closed are now being finalised. As these older applications are being finalised, published processing times have increased. Applications lodged recently are being finalised quickly. 75 per cent of applications lodged since 1 November 2021 that were finalised before 28 February 2022 were finalised in 70 days.