Processing times · Subclass 462
How long does the subclass 462 visa take? (November 2026)
Reviewed by a registered migration agent ·
MARN 1795282
Updated
As at 2 November 2026, Home Affairs reports that 75% of Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) applications were finalised within 27 days, and 90% within 74 days. In September 2026 the 75% figure was 11 days. These are official global processing times for applications decided in the previous month, not a promise for any individual case.
Subclass 462 processing times by stream
| Stream | 75% of applications | 90% of applications | 75% in September 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All applications | 27 days | 74 days | 11 days |
What to expect when you apply for the subclass 462
How the application moves
- Applicants from capped countries, including China, India and Vietnam, must first register in the annual ballot; only selected registrants can lodge.
- The visa application is checked against the country-specific requirements (education, English, a government support letter where required), then health and character; second and third visas need specified-work evidence.
What most often slows a 462 application
- Government support letters or education documents that take time to obtain from the home country.
- Specified-work evidence for second and third visas that does not clearly show the industry, location and days worked.
What to have ready before lodging
- Education certificates, English result, support letter where your country requires one, proof of funds, and all specified-work records if applying for a later visa.
What the 75% and 90% figures mean
Home Affairs publishes the time within which it finalised 75% and 90% of the applications decided in the previous month. Three in four applicants got a decision faster than the 75% figure; one in ten waited longer than the 90% figure, almost always because the application was incomplete, needed health or character follow-up, or sat outside the current processing priorities. The figures move every month, which is why we keep a history on the processing-times tracker.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the 462 visa take to process in November 2026?
Home Affairs reports that 75% of Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) applications were finalised within 27 days and 90% within 74 days, as at 2 November 2026.
What do the 75% and 90% figures mean?
They are the times within which Home Affairs finalised 75% and 90% of the applications it decided in the previous month. Three in four applications were decided faster than the 75% figure; one in ten took longer than the 90% figure, usually because the application was incomplete or needed extra checks.
Can a 462 visa be processed faster?
There is no paid priority service for the 462. The things that reliably shorten processing are lodging a complete, decision-ready application (identity, health, character and every eligibility document attached at lodgement), responding to any request for information quickly, and avoiding avoidable requests for further information.
Related visas: processing times and costs
- Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417): processing times · fees
- Visitor visa (Subclass 600): processing times · fees
Source: Department of Home Affairs — global visa processing times, as at 2 November 2026. Cost: subclass 462 visa fees. Eligibility and steps: 462 Work and Holiday Visa 2026: Caps, Countries & Fee. General information only, not migration advice.