Australia relaxes its Work and Holiday Maker Program restrictions
Amended legislation to relax Australia’s Work and Holiday Maker Program arrangements commenced on 1 July 2019. More young migrants can now apply for the Work and Holiday Maker program, and visa holders may have a pathway to stay an additional year to assist farmers and regional businesses with critical labour shortages.
A third year on a Work and Holiday Visa
A third year stay on a Work and Holiday Visa is now available to young migrants if six months of regional work is undertaken on a second Work and Holiday Visa. The work must have been undertaken after 1 July 2019.
Singaporeans can access more Work and Holiday Visas
The number of Work and Holiday Visas available to Singaporean citizens between the age of 18-30 increased from 500 to 2,500 places per year from 1 July 2019.
This broadens Australia’s Work and Holiday Visa arrangements with Singapore, which have been in place since August 2017. Australia’s Work and Holiday Visa arrangements with Singapore requires applicants to hold or study tertiary qualifications and speak functional English.
French nationals up to 35 years old can apply
The legislative amendments also allow French nationals to apply for a Working Holiday Visa up to the age of 35. The age limit for a Working Holiday Visa for all other eligible countries is 30 years old, except for Canadian and Irish nationals who also have a maximum age limit of 35.
Work and Holiday Visas for Greek and Ecuador nationals
Greece and Ecuador are now been added to the list of countries who citizens can apply for an Australian Work and Holiday Visa. Australia currently has Working Holiday Maker program arrangements with 42 countries across the world.
A more streamlined application process
The legislative amendments will require citizens of Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam to lodge their Work and Holiday Visa online. In addition, citizens of Austria, Portugal and Spain will no longer require government support for their application.
Immigracious | Migration connections made simple
The relaxed Work and Holiday Maker Program restrictions align with the Government’s plans to encourage migrants to work in regional areas. According to a Media Release by Prime Minister David Coleman in June 2019, Australia has also increased the number of places in its Working Holiday Maker Program by the below figures:
-An increase from 1,500 to 3,400 places for Spanish nationals (December 2018)
-An increase from 500 to 2,500 places for Israeli nationals (December 2018)
-An increase from 100 to 1,500 places for Peruvian nationals (December 2018)
-An increase from 2,000 to 3,400 places for Chilean nationals (December 2018)
If you would like to discuss if Work and Holiday Maker Program arrangements would suit your business requirements or individual travel needs, simply contact Immigracious’ Registered Migration Agents on +61 (8) 6185 2770 or hello@immigracious.com.au
Source:
Media Release – Prime Minister, David Coleman
Migration Institute of Australia
Migration Regulations – Explanatory Statement
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