KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 19 -- Australia has temporarily paused applications from Malaysians seeking their first Work and Holiday visa under subclass 462.

Australia's ABC News reported yesterday that Malaysia is among 24 countries - almost all under visa stream - whose applications have been paused.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke reportedly said the visas were "being processed more slowly than they were previously", but did not give further details on the change.

The subclass 462 visa allows eligible Malaysians aged 18 to 30 to spend 12 months in Australia for short-term work and study, with Malaysia allocated an annual grant cap of 1,100 places.

The cap reportedly applies only to first subclass 462 visas, while second and thir...