Amended legislation to relax Australia’s Work and Holiday Visa arrangements commenced on 1 July 2019. The Work and Holiday Maker program is now available to more young migrants and provides a pathway for visa holders to stay an additional year to assist farmers and regional businesses with critical labour shortages.
A pathway to a third year stay on a Work and Holiday Visa
Young migrants can now apply for a third year stay on a Work and Holiday Visa if they undertake six months of regional work on a second Work and Holiday Visa. The work must have been undertaken after 1 July 2019. You can read more about this change in our previous article here.
More Work and Holiday Visas for Singaporeans
From 1 July 2019, 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. The greater number of placements broaden 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 be studying towards tertiary qualifications and speak functional English.
Higher age limit for French nationals
Legislative amendments have also commenced to 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. You can read more about this in our article here.
Access to a Work and Holiday Visa for Greek and Ecuador nationals
Greece and Ecuador have now been added to the list of countries who citizens may be eligible to apply for a Work and Holiday Visa. Australia currently has Working Holiday Maker program arrangements with a total of 42 countries.
A more streamlined application process for some citizens
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 also no longer require government support for their application.
Interstaff | Over 30 years of Australian visa experience
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 for 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)
You can read about Australia’s Work and Holiday Maker Program here. To discuss if Working Holiday Visa arrangements would suit your business requirements or to find out if you are eligible for the program, simply contact Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents on +61 8 9221 3388 (or National Free Call 1800 449 858) or [email protected]
Source:
Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents
Media Release – Prime Minister, David Coleman
