Australia and Poland sign agreement for work and play

Tuesday, 01 April 2014

Young people from Australia and Poland will soon be able to work and holiday in each other's countries, with the signing of a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said today.

Minister Cash said the agreement, which was signed during a ceremony in Warsaw over the weekend by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, demonstrates the close and positive relationship between our two countries.

'This arrangement, when brought into effect, will enable up to 200 young adults from Poland and up to 200 young adults from Australia to travel to enjoy a holiday in each other's country, during which they may engage in short-term work and study,' Minister Cash said.

'Poland joins a number of other countries in signing a reciprocal work and holiday arrangement with Australia, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Turkey, the United States of America and Uruguay.' The work and holiday visa differs from a working holiday visa as it requires applicants to have the support of their government, hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications and to speak functional English.

'Over the coming months, both Australia and Poland will work closely together to implement the necessary legal and administrative processes to bring this visa into effect,' Minister Cash said.

Announcements on the implementation of the work and holiday visa arrangement, as well as further information on the programme, can be found at www.immi.gov.au.