Australia's Working Holiday Maker visa program which grew by close to 16% last year with the grant of over 258,000 visas, is set to grow more in the coming years with the addition of several new countries over the last year.

Portugal has now become the latest signatory to Australia’s Work and Holiday visa program. On 25 September 2014, Australia and Portugal announced that a new Work and Holiday arrangement for youth mobility was signed, establishing a reciprocal Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) arrangement between our two countries.

This arrangement, when brought into effect, will allow up to 200 young adults from Portugal and up to 200 young adults from Australia to enjoy a holiday in each other's country, during which they may undertake short term work and study.

DIBP’s states says that in the coming months, Australia and Portugal will work closely together to implement the necessary legal and administrative processes to bring this visa into effect. The work and holiday arrangement will not commence until a start date has been agreed by both countries.

When a commencement date has been announced, eligible young adults from Portugal and Australia will be able to apply for this visa.

On signing the agreement, Minister Michaelia Cash said,"At the heart of the programme is the opportunity to acquire new skills and develop an appreciation of another culture, to the benefit of both the individual and their home country. I am excited that today's signing will result in more opportunities for young people to experience a vibrant opportunity overseas."

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.

Minister Scott Morrison announced earlier this year that DIBP has been looking to expand the program further saying that the program significantly benefits the economy in general and is of particular importance to the hospitality and tourism sectors. DIBP is currently in the process of negotiating new and more liberalised Working Holiday Maker visa arrangements with other countries including Mexico, Hungary, Vietnam, San Marino, the Czech Republic, Israel, Latvia, the Slovak Republic and Andorra.