People Over 30 May Now Apply For Australia's Working Holiday Visa

Australia has increased the minimum age for working holiday visa applicants from the United Kingdom, Italy, and Denmark. Detailed information is provided below.

 

Australia is relaxing its working holiday visa requirements for citizens of the United Kingdom. This long-awaited change has finally taken effect.

Under the new guidelines established by the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, British citizens up to the age of 35 will be eligible to apply for the visa. The agreement's effective date is May 31, allowing Australia two years to comply. The working holiday visa doesn't need permanent residence.

Limits on the kinds of jobs you may take will also be loosened. The visa is valid for 12 months at this time. Three-year visas are available to those who can demonstrate that they will be working in a "specified occupation" for at least three months out of the visa's duration.

Brits who are looking to make a short-term relocation overseas often choose Australia due to its warm climate and relatively high pay. Outside of big cities, you'll find a wide variety of jobs, from harvesting fruit to working in the hotel industry.

After June 2023, nonetheless, applicants will once again be required to work for no more than six months at a time for the same company, thus requiring they change employment twice yearly.

In July of 2022, Australia changed the maximum age for visa applicants from 30 to 35 years old for Italians and Danes. The yearly quotas for citizens of Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia were also raised.

The program began in 1975 with the goal of strengthening ties between Australia and its international partners via the participation of young people. In recent years, it has been leveraged to entice people to towns like Perth, where a significant labour shortage has arisen.

In addition to the aforementioned, Australia has 19 more countries with which it has signed working holiday visa deals. Additionally, 28 nations have their own equivalent agreement with limits.

In the second half of last year, citizens of the United Kingdom received more than 15,000 working holiday permits, making them the program's most enthusiastic users. At the same time, between high school and college, many students take advantage of the program.

Agreements are also being negotiated with Andorra, Croatia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Monaco.

A visa to Australia will set you back $496 (around €304).

But, as an expat destination, why is Australia so appealing?

Europeans love Australia for more than just its convenient visa policies. Its warm weather and sandy beaches are a major appeal for tourists, especially because summer occurs during Europe's colder months. The absence of a language barrier for English speakers is another selling point, as is the cultural resemblance to the United Kingdom.

In addition, salaries are above average when compared to many European nations. Wages start at $21.38 (€13.13) per hour before tax.

 

source: euronews.com