Key Points
- Young people from India now have the opportunity to work and support their travels in Australia.
- The Department of Home Affairs has received 98,019 valid 'backpacker visa' registrations from India alone.
- A migration agent says the level of interest from Indian youth has been 'remarkable'.
For the first time ever, young Indians are being given a chance to live, work, and explore Australia under the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa — commonly known as the 'backpacker visa'.
And the response has been overwhelming.
On 1 October 2024, the Australian government launched a pre-application ballot system for this visa, targeting applicants from India, China and Vietnam.
The registration window remained open throughout October and November.
According to the 14th edition of the Administration of the Immigration and Citizenship Programs report, the Department of Home Affairs had received 139,633 valid registrations from China, Vietnam and India as of January — with 98,019 of those coming from India alone.
A 'ballot' system has been introduced for first-time Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa applicants from India, China and Vietnam. Credit: teekid/Getty Images
“There’s been a surge of excitement in India since the visa opened for the first time last year,” he said.
“It used to be mostly European countries that had access to this kind of visa for Australia, but now India is part of that list thanks to the free trade agreement. It’s a sign that the relationship between the two countries is really growing.”
To be eligible, applicants need to meet several conditions — including holding an Indian passport, demonstrating English language skills, having a certain level of education, and showing proof of at least $5,000 in funds.
“These are fairly reasonable requirements for young professionals or graduates looking for a global experience,” Patel added.
Visa applicants must apply for this visa from outside Australia. Credit: LeoPatrizi/Getty Images
Visa holders can stay in the country for up to 12 months, study for four months, and travel in and out multiple times during their stay.
Applications must be lodged from outside Australia, and no family members can be included as a secondary applicant. The visa currently costs $650.
India officially joined Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program in 2024 as its 50th partner country under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA).
Source: Moment RF / anand purohit/Getty Images
The WHM program has been growing steadily.
By the end of 2024, there were 206,187 WHM visa holders in Australia — up from 170,437 the year before.
Visa grants also saw a sharp rise, with 175,071 granted in 2024 compared to 122,387 in 2023.
And the process is moving quickly too — on average, Subclass 462 visa applications are being processed in just 21 days.
With such an enthusiastic response and rising interest from Indian youth, Patel said this could be the beginning of a long and lively exchange between the two nations.
[Disclaimer: This information is intended as a general guide and is accurate as of the date of publication. Migration laws and policies may change over time. For advice tailored to your situation, please consult a qualified migration or legal professional.]
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