Australia to roll out Ballot System for Work, Holiday visas for Indians

Australia will soon launch a new Ballot System to streamline issuing visas for Work and Holidays for the citizens of India, as well as China and Vietnam. The new visa management system will come into effect in the 2024-25 programme year, allowing individuals aged 18 to 30 from the three nations to travel and work in the country. It will apply to new applicants, while the current and previous visa holders will not be affected, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

What is the new Ballot System?

Applicable to visa applicants from India, China, and Vietnam, the new Ballot System will randomly choose individuals for the visa process. The Ballot System will be mandatory for new visa applicants from the three countries after it opens later in 2024. Individuals from India, China, and Vietnam who already possess an Australian visa for travel or work can continue with the conventional process that requires them to use ImmiAccount. “The ballot system won’t affect current or previous visa holders,” said the Department of Home Affairs, adding that it will help manage the high demand for new visa applications.

Who is eligible for the Ballot System?

According to the Department of Home Affairs guidelines, a citizen of India, China, or Vietnam aged between 18 and 30 with a valid passport will be eligible. The individual, however, must not be accompanied by dependent children.

Australia and India signed the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), under which up to 1,000 visas for work and holidays will be issued to Indian citizens each year. An eligible citizen can apply for a visa to study, work, or travel across Australia. “The Work and Holiday visa offers young adults a unique opportunity to explore Australia while gaining valuable work experience,” said the Department of Home Affairs.