Visas & Entry

Australia Just Turned Your Second Working Holiday Year Into a Lottery, Here's How the Ballot Actually Works

A ballot for 45,000 second-year and 5,000 third-year places replaces automatic approval, announced by Australia's Home Affairs Minister on 17…

By Laxman Rawal · Sep 22, 2026

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced on 17 September 2026 that second- and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas will move to a ballot, capping second-year places at 45,000 and cutting third-year places from around 31,000 to just 5,000. It…

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What actually changed for working holiday visas

Completing the specified regional work used to be enough on its own to move from a first-year Working Holiday Maker visa into a second or third year. Under the announced reform, finishing that work only earns you an entry into a ballot — there is no longer a…

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How the ballot actually works

The numbers are the story here. Second-year places are capped at 45,000. Third-year places, previously around 31,000, are cut to just 5,000 — roughly an 84% reduction. The Australian Tourism Industry Council estimates the caps could cut regional backpacker…

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Who is exempt, and who isn't

UK passport holders, citizens of Pacific nations, and applicants completing a PhD are exempt from the ballot entirely. Everyone else applying to move into a second or third year is subject to it. First-time applicants for a working holiday visa — the vast…

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When does this actually start

Nothing has changed yet. The reform needs legislation Home Affairs has not finalised, and the department has not published a firm start date. Industry reporting has pointed to November 2026 as the point changes begin taking effect, but that is ahead of the…

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What this means if you're planning a working holiday in Australia

What this means for you Do the regional work regardless — it's still the only way into the ballot, and skipping it guarantees you're not eligible for either the second or third year. Apply for your extension the moment you're eligible rather than waiting…

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Does this affect my first working holiday visa?

No. The ballot only applies to renewals into a second or third year. First-time 417 and 462 applications are unaffected.

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Do I still need to complete 88 days of regional work?

Yes. The work requirement itself hasn't changed — completing it now qualifies you to enter the ballot rather than guaranteeing the visa outright.

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Is this law yet?

No. It was announced at the National Press Club on 17 September 2026 and still requires legislation; the government has not set a locked-in start date. A ballot on the Australia leg is one more reason many of the backpackers we meet build a Nepal stop into…

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