Chinese passport / Working Holiday

Working Holiday in Australia for Chinese citizens (2026)

Check the essential requirements, then follow the five stages to prepare your application and trip.

Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.

The embassy announced a 2026–27 registration window of 2026-06-04–2026-06-25. This is dated context, not current registration availability or a schedule for the next year. Check the official round instructions.

Key facts at a glance

Age: 18–30 yearsLearn moreReferences: CN-AU
Length of stay: Initial stay up to 12 monthsLearn moreReferences: CN-AU
Initial funds: At least AUD 5,000 plus departure travelLearn moreReferences: AU-CHECKLIST CN-AU
Visa fee: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: CN-AU-BALLOT CN-AU
Annual quota: Up to 5,000 first visas annuallyLearn moreReferences: CN-AU-CAPS
Application dates and timing: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: ORIGIN CN-AU-CAPS
Language: Functional English with accepted evidenceLearn moreReferences: AU-ENGLISH AU-CHECKLIST
Study: Up to 4 monthsLearn moreReferences: CN-AU
Work: Usually up to 6 months per employerLearn moreReferences: CN-AU

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Traveler on the coast, with the sea in the background.

Step 1

Check requirements and language preparation

Age

You must be 18 to 30 when applying for the first subclass 462 visa. Ballot registration, selection and visa filing are separate stages; check the round’s requirements and notification deadlines.

References: CN-AU

Length of stay

The first visa permits up to twelve months. Follow the entry deadline and individual conditions in the grant notice; ballot selection is not the visa issue date.

References: CN-AU

Initial funds

The China checklist specifies at least AUD 5,000 for initial support plus departure fare; the main site uses approximate wording. Prepare to the checklist and confirm current instructions.

References: AU-CHECKLIST CN-AU

Visa fee

The current subclass 462 visa application charge was not confirmed in this research. Ballot registration and the visa application after selection have separate charges; check both before paying and do not substitute the subclass 417 price.

References: CN-AU-BALLOT CN-AU

Annual quota

This is the Chinese-passport annual first-visa grant cap, not the number of ballot registrations or remaining places. The ballot does not change the annual cap.

References: CN-AU-CAPS

Application dates and timing

The embassy announced registration from 4 to 25 June 2026 for the 2026–27 year. This is dated context only; check official notices for the next year and current arrangements rather than applying the general capped-scheme 2 July rule.

References: ORIGIN CN-AU-CAPS

Language

Qualifying English-medium education or an accepted test can establish this. IELTS averages at least 4.5; tests must be within 12 months before application. Some standards changed on 7 August 2025; do not reuse old checklist scores.

References: AU-ENGLISH AU-CHECKLIST

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Passport

The embassy checklist lists passport, national ID, birth evidence, hukou and bilingual Form 54. Submit documents only through the official system; this site does not collect them.

References: AU-CHECKLIST

Insurance

The inspected China-specific checklist does not establish a full set of mandatory policy terms. Check visa conditions and confirm medical, hospital, repatriation and work-activity cover and exclusions before buying.

References: AU-CHECKLIST CN-AU

Documents and participation

Follow China-specific CHSI reporting or overseas qualification certification; unfinished undergraduate study needs records proving 2 completed years.

References: AU-CHECKLIST

Step 2

Apply through the official route

First check China’s ballot registration conditions and round announcement; registration, selection and the visa application are separate stages.
Prepare identity, education, English and financial evidence early, then register through ImmiAccount during the official period and check payment requirements.
Only after receiving selection notification, file the first subclass 462 application and evidence within the stated deadline.
Provide health, character or other evidence as requested and wait for the visa decision; after grant, check entry, work and study conditions.

Read the official instructions ↗

Step 3

Read your approval and entry conditions

Read the entire approval notice: identity, dates, entry deadline and conditions. Keep it available offline. Do not assume the visa starts on your preferred date.

Step 4

Get ready for the trip

Follow China’s checklist for passport, national ID, birth and hukou evidence and bilingual Form 54. Depending on your education, prepare CHSI reports, overseas qualification certification or evidence of two completed undergraduate years. Use current English requirements rather than the February 2025 checklist’s old test scores. Prepare at least AUD 5,000 initially plus departure costs, and budget insurance, accommodation and transport separately.

Passport, visa and requested evidence accessible offline.
Initial funds, insurance and departure costs checked separately.
First accommodation and airport transport arranged.

Step 5

Start your Working Holiday

Carry your valid passport and visa grant notice, enter under the granted conditions and keep funds and departure evidence available. Before working, check the employment contract and local tax requirements. The usual same-employer limit is six months, subject to official exceptions; study is limited to four months.

Work

The usual 6-month rule concerns one employer, not total work during the visa. Check official exceptions.

CN-AU

Study

Study or training is limited to four months. English courses count towards this limit; course admission is not proof that the visa’s English requirement is met.

CN-AU

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Language courses · commercial service

Plan a language course for your trip.

Through ViveCampus you can request language-course quotes with international-student discounts. Offers may vary by your country of origin and destination. A personalized quote confirms available discounts and the final price. Booking a course does not guarantee a visa.

Study or training is limited to four months. English courses count towards this limit; course admission is not proof that the visa’s English requirement is met.

Other destinations to compare

Working Holiday in New Zealand →

Back to destinations for Chinese passport holders

Frequently asked questions

Does ballot selection mean the visa is approved?

No. Selection allows you to apply under the notification; you must still meet visa requirements and await the decision.

References: ORIGIN CN-AU-BALLOT

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Can I use the June 2026 registration dates for the next year?

No. The 4 to 25 June 2026 period belongs only to the announced 2026–27 round. The next year requires a new official announcement.

References: ORIGIN

Does completing senior high school meet the education requirement?

China’s checklist requires a tertiary qualification or successful completion of at least two undergraduate university years. Prepare verification and academic evidence for your circumstances.

References: AU-CHECKLIST

Can I use the old checklist’s English scores directly?

Do not apply them automatically. Some test standards changed on 7 August 2025; check the current English page and test date, including the twelve-month period before application.

References: AU-ENGLISH AU-CHECKLIST

Does AUD 5,000 include departure travel?

No. China’s checklist requires at least AUD 5,000 initially, plus the departure fare; this is not the whole trip budget.

References: AU-CHECKLIST

Can I work for only six months during the whole visa?

The usual six-month limit concerns one employer, not all work during the visa. Check official exceptions before continuing with the same employer.

References: CN-AU

Official sources

Research consulted: 18 October 2026. Check current requirements with the issuing authority before applying.