Australian working holiday visa 'most popular in the world'

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Created on Monday, 05 November 2012 17:04

Written by Editorial staff

Demand for Australia's popular working holiday visa is higher than for any other visa of this kind in the world, with 220,000 visas granted over the last year.

These new figures, revealed by immigration minister Chris Bowen in a recent speech (November 1) made at the Australian Tourism Directions Conference in Canberra, indicated that demand for Australian working holiday visas is higher than the comparable programs in Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand combined.

Originally established as a Commonwealth scheme more than 35 years ago, the working holiday maker program is now larger than ever before - in fact, it has nearly doubled in size since 2009.

Working holiday visa holders - as well as holders of the similar work and holiday visa - are generally eligible to come to Australia for a period of up to 12 months, during which they can undertake study and casual work subject to certain limitations.

In specific circumstances - such as when a working holiday visa holder carries out a certain type of work in designated regional locations for at least three months - visa holders may be eligible to take the option of a second year in Australia.

Working holiday makers, Bowen said, largely come to Australia to work in casual roles in the hospitality and tourism sectors - and as such, they have an integral role to play in the nation's economy.

At current rates, he explained, nearly 50,000 people - or more than a third of all working holiday makers who seek out employment while in Australia - opt to take on short-term work in the tourism sector.

"Research shows that working holiday makers provide valuable support to Australian employers and contribute positively to our economy," said Bowen.

He added that a number of nations have recently joined forces with Australia to offer reciprocal working holiday and work and holiday visas, with new negotiations with Greece and an expansion in Indonesia among the most recent developments.

The Australian government is also currently in discussion with representatives from Uruguay and Mexico about setting up reciprocal agreements with these nations, he added.

Whether you're thinking about coming to Australia for the first time as a working holiday maker or are keen to extend your stay in a different visa subclass, a skilled migration agent can help you through the process.

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