Australian Government
Department of Home Affairs
Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
Application Checklist (Thailand)
Who should apply for a Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa?
The Thailand - Australia Work & Holiday arrangement is a reciprocal program providing young people with
the opportunity to holiday and work in Australia. It is a temporary visa that encourages cultural exchange and
cultural ties between Australia and eligible partner countries, including Thailand.
This visa allows you to:
stay in Australia for up to 12 months
work in Australia, generally for up to six months with each employer
study for up to four months
leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid
apply for a second Work and Holiday visa if you have worked for three months in northern Australia
in tourism and hospitality or agriculture, forestry and fishing.
You might be able to get this visa if you:
are at least 18 but have not turned 31 years of age at the time you lodge your application,
will not be with a dependent child while you are in Australia,
have enough money to support yourself on a working holiday (about AUD 5000),
have enough money to buy a return or onward travel ticket at the end of your stay,
have not previously entered Australia on a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462),
meet the educational requirements,
have functional English,
have a letter of support from the Department of Children and Youth in Thailand,
meet character and health requirements,
are a genuine visitor.
See: [Link]
I am taking my family with me; can they be included in my application?
You cannot include a dependent child in your application.
A dependent child cannot be with you at any time while you are in Australia.
Your partner can come to Australia with you, but they will need to apply for their own visa.
How do I lodge my application?
Applicants from Thailand are not currently eligible to apply for this visa online. All applications should be
lodged in person at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in Thailand, operated by VFS Global,
where your biometrics (generally photo and fingerprint) can also be collected.
Bangkok Chiang Mai
The Trendy Office Building 28th floor, Siriphanich Building 6th floor, 191 Huaykaew
Sukhumvit Soi 13, Klongtoey-Nua, Road,
Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Suthep, Muang, Chiang Mai
(NANA BTS station, exit 3) (opposite MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Centre)
Telephone: 02 118 7100 Telephone: 02 118 7100
Email: [Link]@[Link] Email: [Link]@[Link]
Further information on the Australia Visa Application Centres in Thailand, please see:
[Link]/Australia/Thailand
Biometrics collection
Most applicants lodging visa applications in Thailand, regardless of nationality, need to attend in person to
provide their biometrics (fingerprints and a digital facial photograph) as part of the visa application process.
The collection of biometrics is conducted at an AVAC in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Please take your original
passport with you. For further information on biometrics, see: [Link]
support/meeting-our-requirements/biometrics.
How much will this visa cost?
There is a charge for this application. This will not be refunded if your application is unsuccessful, or if you
decide to withdraw your application after you have lodged it.
VFS Global will charge fees for lodgement and biometrics collection in addition to the scheduled fee charged
by the Australian Government for visa applications.
For Australian Government fees, see: [Link]
For VFS Global fees, see: [Link]/Australia/Thailand
What happens after I have lodged my application with an Australian Visa Application
Centre (AVAC)?
Once you have lodged your application an AVAC, it is forwarded to the Department for assessment. The
AVAC issues you with a receipt of your payment and tracking number so you can track your application.
How long will it take?
Global visa and citizenship processing times will be updated monthly, providing you with an indicative
timeframe for processing applications. Processing times are impacted each month by changes in application
volumes, seasonal peaks, complex cases, and incomplete applications. Processing times include
applications lodged online and by paper.
For current processing times, please visit: [Link]
processing-times/global-visa-processing-times.
If you wish to travel during a peak period such as February, March or April, we strongly encourage you to
apply for your visa as early as possible, at least one month before your intended travel date.
Please note that we are unable to provide any updates on the progress of your application if it is within the
global processing time.
Do not make arrangements to travel to Australia until you are advised in writing that you have been granted
a visa. We are unable to expedite visa applications on the grounds of pre-booked travel commitments.
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Should I provide original documents?
Do not provide original documents unless specifically requested. You should provide ‘certified copies’ of
original documentation. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.
'Certified copies' are copies authorised, or stamped as being true copies of originals, by a person or agency
recognised by the law of the country in which you currently reside.
For further information on certifying translating documents see: [Link]
support/applying-online-or-on-paper/on-paper/certified-copy.
What if my circumstances change after I lodge my visa?
If there are any changes in your circumstances following lodgement of your application, you are obliged to
inform us about them. You may use Form 1022 Notification of Changes in Circumstances for this purpose.
What will help me get my application processed faster?
You should ensure you lodge a complete application with all relevant information and supporting documents.
A decision on your application may be made without further requests for information.
Note: the Visa Application Charge (and any other associated service fees) will not be refunded if a decision
is made to refuse to grant the visa because you did not satisfy the criteria for grant of the visa.
Do I need to have a health examination?
The Department uses an online health system to record your health examination results and conduct your
health assessment. Generally, medical examinations can be conducted only after a visa application has
been validly lodged. After the application is lodged, the case officer will provide you with a “Health
Assessment” letter (by email, mail or fax). The Panel Physician will need to see this letter as part of the
medical examination process and you should take the letter with you when you go to the Panel Physician for
your examination.
Medical examinations must be undertaken by a doctor from a list of approved doctors provided by the
Department of Home Affairs. A list of these doctors is on the Department’s website:
[Link]
Please note: Applicants may be asked to attend a health examination more than once if further examination
or follow-up is required.
Do I need to provide police clearances?
You may be requested to provide police clearances, depending on your circumstances. If requested,
applicants need to provide police clearance certificate(s) from every country the applicants (if aged 16 years
and over) have resided in for a total of 12 months or more during the last 10 years. For instructions on
obtaining a certificate from an overseas government or law enforcement authority, refer to the relevant
country information on our website: [Link]
locations/list.
If you are required to provide an Australian police clearance certificate, you must complete the Australian
Federal Police (AFP) National Police Check application form which is available at the AFP National Police
Checks page on the AFP website: [Link]
police-checks.
Health insurance
Medical treatment in Australia can be very expensive. As a visitor, you are not covered by Australia's
national health scheme, unless there is a reciprocal health care agreement between Australia and your
country. Health care for visitors to Australia is explained on the Medicare Australia website.
It is recommended that you take out health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia. You can
obtain health insurance through a health insurance provider or travel agent in your country of residence.
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About your visa
We electronically record all visas issued to non-citizens providing them permission to travel, enter and/or
remain in Australia. The Australian Government does not provide visa labels.
When you receive your Australian visa you are issued with a visa grant notification letter that explains the
conditions of your visa including period of validity and entry requirements. You should retain this for your own
reference and may wish to carry it with you when you travel as it contains important information about your
visa. The information contained within the visa grant notification letter will help you check your visa details
online using the Department’s Visa Entitlement Verification Online service, known as VEVO.
Can I ask another person to deal with the Department on my behalf?
Australian privacy law prevents the Department from responding to enquiries from people not authorised by
the visa applicant. This includes the person providing support to the application. If you want to authorise
another person to be able to discuss your application with this office, or receive correspondence about your
application, you must do so in writing. If you have not advised of an authorised recipient appointment in your
visa application form you can:
Submit a completed Form 956 or 956A which must be signed by the both applicant and
authorised person, or,
Advise the Department in writing (for example, by email or letter) and include the name and
address of the authorised recipient.
For further information on appointment an authorised recipient visit: [Link]
support/who-can-help-with-your-application/overview.
For more information on appointing a Migration Agent visit: [Link]
support/who-can-help-with-your-application/using-a-migration-agent.
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Application Document Checklist
You must provide all relevant documents when you apply. Some documents could take time to obtain. You
should have them ready and submit them when you apply. We can make a decision using the information
you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible
with your application.
This application document checklist details the information and supporting documents (personal, health and
character) required to assist with the lodgement of a complete application.
You may also need to provide additional information if the Department requests it. We will advise you how
you can submit additional documents at the time it is requested.
Checklist
Form 1208 – completed in English and signed by the applicant.
A non-refundable Visa Application Charge (VAC).
A passport that is valid for the total period of your stay in Australia, or for a minimum of 6 months.
One recent passport size photo.
Thai National Identification card and Household Registration.
Evidence that you have adequate personal funds, or access to adequate funds to support yourself
during the period of intended stay, for example, a current bankbook or bank statement with at least 6
months history of transactions. Cash or credit cards are not sufficient evidence of funds. If you are
providing a bankbook, you are required to provide the photocopy and original bankbook which will be
returned to you.
A letter of employment; if applicable.
Functional English
You must provide evidence that you have at least functional English. This can be:
evidence you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United
States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland,
an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) average band score of at least 4.5 for the
four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing) completed within 12 months of visa
application lodgement,
the Occupational English Test (OET) completed within 12 months of visa application lodgement,
a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) total band score of at
least 32 for the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening completed within 12
months of visa application lodgement,
a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) overall band score of at least 30 for the four
test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening completed within 12 months of visa
application lodgement,
a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test overall band score of at least 147 for the four test
components of speaking, reading, writing and listening and the test must have been taken on or after
1 January 2015 and completed within the 12 months prior to visa application lodgement,
all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary school at an institution where all
the instruction was in English,
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at least five years of secondary education (high school) at an educational institution in which all
instruction was in English,
a post-secondary qualification with at least two years of full-time study, in which all tuition was in
English,
at least one year of full-time study or equivalent towards a degree, higher degree, diploma or
associate diploma at an Australian institution where all the instruction was in English.
Letter of Government Support
A letter of support for your application to apply for a Work and Holiday visa.
This letter must be the original letter of approval from the Department of Children and Youth, Ministry
of Social Development and Human Security, 618/1 Nikommakkasan Rd, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400
Note: the letter of support does not guarantee a place in the Work and Holiday program
Education
A certified photocopy of qualification certificate and academic transcript for at least a Diploma or
Degree level qualification.
Department of Home Affairs
Australian Embassy, Bangkok
[Link]
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