Australia will open its doors to more working holiday makers under new measures introduced to support the post-pandemic recovery of Australia’s tourism and trade sectors.
Age increases
From 1 July 2022 the age limit for Italian and Danish citizens wanting to work and travel in Australia will increase by five years – from 30 to 35 years of age. Australian citizens up to the age of 35 will also benefit from reciprocal arrangements with Italy and Denmark.
Australia has previously negotiated arrangements on a reciprocal basis with Canada, France and Ireland to expand the eligible age range for WHM applicants to 35 years.
Cap increases
An additional 1,400 places will be available each year through reciprocal increases to visa caps for Hungary, Austria and the Slovak Republic.
These reciprocal cap increases will provide ongoing opportunities for citizens of Australia, Hungary, Austria and the Slovak Republic to travel and work abroad.
To further entice working holiday makers, the Government has announced a one-off, 30 per cent cap increase in places available to nationals from those countries with which Australia has a capped Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa arrangement, for 2022-23 only.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke, said the Government recognises the importance of the visitor economy to Australia, particularly in the context of Australia’s post-pandemic recovery.
“This 30 per cent cap increase will provide the opportunity for an additional 11,000 young people to come to Australia and contribute to the post-pandemic recovery through workforce participation and job creation,” he said.
“This initiative will help to address workforce shortages experienced across Australia, particularly in regional and remote areas,” Minister Hawke said.
More than 51,000 working holiday maker visas have been granted since 22 November 2021 when the Australian Government announced the reopening of Australia’s borders to temporary visa holders, and more than 14,000 working holiday makers have arrived in Australia since that time.
Australia also signed two new reciprocal Work and Holiday arrangements with Mongolia and Brazil today, helping to build people-to-people, education and economic links, and increasing the number of countries and regions participating in the WHM program to 47.
Summary of Changes
- A 30 per cent cap increase to the number of places available to nationals from countries with which Australia has a capped Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa arrangement in 2022-23 only.
- Commencing on 1 July 2022:
- Brazil – new arrangement with 500 places
- Mongolia – new arrangement with 100 places
- Slovak Republic – cap increase from 200 to 1000 places
- Hungary and Austria – cap increase from 200 to 500 places
- Italy and Denmark – age increase from 30 to 35 years.
More information on the Working Holiday Maker visa program is at
.
