Do you have to be a college student to get an Australian Working visa 462?

Question

I'm going to Australia next week to work for a month in Cairns with a couple of friends. I am trying to make sure I have everything right on my visa application before I submit, because I don't want to lose the $195 application fee. Do I have to be a current college student to get this visa? Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

Not if you're an American. Applicants from Chile, Thailand and Turkey must be college students or graduates, but not Americans. High school graduate is enough for them (but they must have actually finished high school).

EDIT:

If you're a high school graduate and can meet the character and health requirements, your application won't be rejected, so don't worry about it. They're granted very quickly to Americans which tends to indicate that it's pretty much a rubber stamp if you can check all the boxes.

Answer 2

Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) for visitors from Chile, Thailand, Turkey and the United States of America.

The Work and Holiday visa is for tertiary educated* people aged 18 to 30 who are interested in a working holiday of up to 12 months in Australia. This visa allows you to supplement the cost of your holiday through periods of temporary or casual employment. Most countries under this visa program have an annual limit of 100 Work and Holiday visas per year.

*Applicants from the United States of America do not need to be or have been engaged in tertiary studies. USA applicants must have graduated from a high school.