The recent round of invitations in December 2023 disappointed many aspiring migrants. Invitations were limited to health professionals and teachers, excluding many with completed skills assessments and English proficiency for the 189 visa. This has raised concerns about the accessibility and fairness of the invitation process.
Looking back at 2023, there were only two invitation rounds for the 189 and family-sponsored 491, all focused on health professions and teachers. This means many of those with skills assessments and English did not receive an invitation for the 189. This seems quite unreasonable and seems to be putting unnecessary pressure on those aspiring to come to Australia and not allowing them to get an invitation.
Invitation Rounds 2023
May
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
7,353
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family-Sponsored
74
December
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
8,300
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family-Sponsored
79
State Nominations for the 190 and 491 visas
State and territory nominations offer a broader range of occupations, each with slightly different criteria based on local economic needs. Unfortunately, the Northern Territory has exhausted its nomination allocations, temporarily closing new state allocations. Limited opportunities for points-based visas have prompted increased interest in employer-sponsored applications, particularly the TSS482 and the permanent residency 186 visas. The new Skills in Demand Visa, expected in late 2024, has also generated strong interest.
Labor Market Testing for TSS482
Labour market testing requirements for the TSS482 visa have been eased, reducing the number of advertisements required and eliminating the need for Workforce Australia Advertising. However, a minimum 28-day advertising period in the four months before nomination is now mandatory. Regional employer-sponsored nominations now receive the highest priority for processing under Ministerial Direction Number 105, indicating the government's emphasis on regional visas.
Changes in Priority Processing
Offshore applicants no longer receive priority processing, possibly reflecting the government's focus on reducing pressure on housing in major cities. This shift encourages regional visas and discourages offshore applications from individuals likely to settle in urban areas.
Working Holiday Maker Updates
Starting from January 1, 2024, working holidaymakers may work for the same employer for more than six months without seeking permission under certain circumstances. Exceptions include work in different locations, plant and animal cultivation, specific industries, natural disaster recovery, aged care, healthcare, childcare, and critical sectors like tourism and hospitality.
While some exceptions exist, individuals working beyond six months in non-covered situations must seek permission, with higher chances if tied to an employer-sponsored application. These changes provide flexibility for working holidaymakers but also highlight the importance of understanding the specific conditions and seeking appropriate permissions.
How can Work Visa Lawyers help?
Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your potential application(s).
Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.
You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.
Many Americans fight hard for their Permanent Residency in The State and a green card. As a result, they are pondering their options.
While Canada is a geographically closer option, Australia offers a practical and attractive option for US citizens looking to move abroad temporarily or permanently.
Australia has a lot of types of visas to offer for Americans who are interested in getting an Australia permanent residency or citizenship.
In this article, we explain all possible Australian visa options available to US citizens.
1) The Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa
The Work and Holiday visa 462 suits young Americans aged 18 to 30. There is an ongoing review to increase the age limit to 35 years of age, but that is not in effect as yet. Other requirements for the visa are:
- You must have a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or equivalent.
- Have approximately AUD 5000 available as travel funds
- Hold travel health insurance
- Be healthy and have no criminal records
The visa is valid for 1 year and an extension for additional 2 years is possible if you have met specific work requirements, usually in specified high-needs industries in the regional areas of Australia.
While this visa is temporary for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for other visas for further stay in Australia after that.
If you have skills or qualifications in America, you may be eligible for more visas mentioned below. Otherwise, you can start with a student visa to start your way to Australian Permanent Residency.
Overall, This working holiday 462 visa is a fabulous opportunity for young Americans to visit and work in Australia to see if they like what Australia offers.
2) Skilled Migration visas: Visa 189 Skilled Independent, Skilled Nominated Visa 190, Skilled Regional Visa 491
Post-Pandemic Covid-19, Australia needs skilled professional and technical workers. US citizens are in the right mold because of the following factors:
- Excellent English abilities
- Accredited and easily verifiable education qualifications and work references
- Easier transition to an English and Western work environment and process
The upper age limit for these skilled visas is 45 years and below. You are likely someone who has completed a tertiary qualification and has worked a few years or more.
These skilled visas are a pathway to Australian permanent residency, allowing you and your family to live in Australia for as long as you want.
Especially the skilled independent visa 189, the Australian Department of Home Affairs is doing its best effort to attract skilled people worldwide post-pandemic hit.
Recently, they have invited more than 10,000 skilled migrants to apply for this visa 189 - direct Permanent Residency of Australia.
Skilled nominated visa 190 is also an Australian PR with a direct grant, however, it could be more selective to some popular states like Victoria or NSW as this visa is state based visa with different requirements for each state.
Australia is facing a severe skills shortage, particularly in regional areas which are South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Northern Territory, or even Regional Areas of metro states like Queensland, Victoria or NSW.
With this 491 Visa, you may live and work in the regional area of Australia and has a pathway to Visa 191 Permanent Residency once certain requirements (The primary one is the income threshold of 53,900 per annum) are met.
As a permanent resident of Australia, you will be eligible for social benefits including cheaper education, universal healthcare (Medicare), welfare (criteria apply) and more.
Watch this video below to understand more about Regional and Metropolitans and what incentives you might get for living and working or studying in Regional areas of Australia.
Contact Work Visa Lawyers today to find out if you are eligible for the skilled visas mentioned.
3) Employer Sponsored Visas – TSS 482 visa, PR 186 visa and RSMS subclass 187 visa
Do you work for a large multinational corporation in the United States? Does the company have an overseas office in Australia? If they do, you may look for an overseas transfer by being sponsored by the Australian office of your current employer
While this would involve the endorsement and approval from your employer, this also means that you arrive in Australia with a job in hand.
Not just being employed by a multinational corp, if you are being offered a job in Australia, you may be eligible to ask for sponsorship. Most genuine businesses in Australia can nominate foreign skilled workers.
This is reflected in the new Ministerial Direction 100 about Skilled Visa Priority Processing.
It states that Skilled Visa program and Employer sponsorship program will be prioritized and offshore skilled migrants will be favoured.
Amongst all employer-sponsored visa, TSS 482 Visa is the most popular one with pathway to Permanent Residency of Australia for certain occupations which are listed in medium and Long Term Strategic Skilled List (MLTSSL).
Watch this video to learn more how a 482 Visa can help you get PR in Australia
The team at Work Visa Lawyers can provide dedicated visa services to the individual and professional corporate services to the sponsoring company. We ensure the best interests of both the employee and employer are catered to when applying for employer-sponsored visas.
This is a fast-tracked Permanent residency visa, Global Talent Visa Australia is the most popular one during pandemic for Offshore Skilled Migrants. Work Visa Lawyers has done a lot of cases for American highly skilled persons who got Permanent Residency and moved to Australia during Covid-19.
The Global Talent visa application process is simpler, faster and more affordable than many other Australian visas, so naturally, this makes it very popular. No age limit or points is testing and it grants immediate Permanent Residency
In General, visa applicants are required to meet the following 4 core requirements to be able to apply for a Global Talent visa:
Skills in a relevant field - There are 10 targeted sectors in Global Talent Visa to fit your skills in
Internationally recognized for outstanding achievement in your field - You may use your career history or publications. GTI 858 Visa (Global talent Visa) is quite popular for PhD graduates.
Salary Income Threshold - Your annual salary income with currency exchange must meet the high income threshold of AUD$162,000 or you need to prove that you have secured a job offer with higher income than the threshold.
Nomination - You need to have a prominent nominator in your field of expertise.
5) Business innovation and investment visas – for current business owners and managers, investors and entrepreneurs
Australia welcomes successful business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs on the rise. Visas available under this category include:
The Business Innovation Visa 188a stream is unsurprisingly the most popular amongst all business visa Australia because of its lower capital requirements than the investor stream and the Significant Investor Stream. But it requires a points test, English, Business establishment experience, and more.
The Significant Investor Visa 188C stream requires none of those mentioned above; however, the investment amount is set at 5 Million Australian Dollars into Australian Complying Fund.
Business visas to Australia can be complex, and you will need a detailed assessment before applying. The experienced Registered Migration Agents at Work Visa Lawyers can assist you with the initial eligibility assessment and handle the complex visa application on your behalf in an efficient manner. Contact us today to learn more.
While the above lists the most common Australian visas for US citizens looking to move abroad, there may be other visa options including student visas, distinguished talent visas and so on. Each individual and family have their circumstances, therefore you should speak to a Registered Migration Agent to discover your options before deciding what is best for you and your family in the short and long term.
Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Immigration Lawyer at Work Visa Lawyers
Australia is an ideal destination for US citizens looking to explore and discover a different country. The people, culture and environment are not vastly different from the United States so there will be less of a culture shock to Americans looking to move. Australian cities also consistently rank high in the top ten among the world’s most liveable cities or cities with the highest quality of life.
Work Visa Lawyers has received inquiries from new and past clients about Australian visa options to move to or remain in Australia. Get in touch with us today to speak about how Work Visa Lawyers can assist with your intentions to make Australia your temporary or permanent home.
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Review, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.
If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:
(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956
or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Australia’s Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud, has announced an agriculture visa will become available in 2021. The new visa is a result of Australia’s trade discussions with the UK in which it was agreed that British backpackers would no longer be required to work on Australian farms to retain their visas. The arrangement will release British tourists from often undesired requirement, and provide an opportunity for other travellers to visit Australia.
Among the affected visa holders, Working Holiday (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (subclass 462), have felt the biggest impact. Working holidaymakers may have experienced disruptions to their work and thus, are unable to meet the specified work required to extend their visas. Others may have been turned away from fire and drought affected areas as there is simply no work available.
Following recommendations from the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, changes to working holiday visas were announced today. These changes are mutually beneficial for fire affected regions and working holiday visa applicants and holders.
The Australian 2019/20 bushfire season has been one of the worst natural disasters our country has faced. Our thoughts are with those who have suffered from these fires and we praise the efforts of all firefighters, especially the volunteer brigades who have worked so hard to protect life and property at their own mortal risk and continue to do so.
This month Work Visa Lawyers has chosen to support the South Australian Country Fire Service Foundation with a financial contribution.
We have all seen the heart wrenching media images of immediate loss of people, wildlife and property but the social impacts will be far-reaching and persist long after the fires have been extinguished. In particular we would like to acknowledge the loss suffered locally in our native South Australia, particularly the Kangaroo Island Community. We have assisted the Southern Ocean Lodge for many years and we wish everyone involved in the lodge the best possible outcomes in the difficult time.
The Australian government recently announced that reciprocal Work and Holiday arrangements between Australia and Greece will commence from 1 July 2019. Up to 500 places annually will be available in each country for young Australians and Greeks aged 18 to 30.
Greek nationals will be able to holiday, work and study in Australia for up to 12 months utilising the subclass 462 visa. There is also the possibility for a further two extensions if undertaking specified work in regional areas, taking the total duration to three years.
Specified work currently includes roles in the agriculture, mining and construction industries. The good news is that Adelaide is the largest capital city included in the definition of regional Australia, with the whole of South Australia eligible.
The basic requirements for subclass 462 visa applicants include holding or studying towards a tertiary qualification and having a functional level of English. Further information on eligibility requirements is available from the Department of Home Affairs website.
Australians will also be able to work and holiday in Greece for up to 12 months, with further eligibility details yet to be provided.
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
If you have friends or family that might be interested, it is advised that they prepare their applications now in readiness for the 1 July 2019 launch. If you require any assistance in applying for the Work and Holiday visa or any other visa, please contact Work Visa Lawyers on (08) 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Backpacker Tax has been voted in to be set at 15%. Tax on superannuation for backpackers is also set at 65%.
The Australian government is likely to pass legislation to affix the Backpacker Tax at 15%. This is a significant reduction from the 32.5% planned to be implemented on 1 January 2017.
The taxing on superannuation for backpackers will also be set for 65%, rather than the 95% proposed earlier.
This is a huge relief to Working Holiday and Work and Holiday visa holders to Australia. The lower taxes will allow them to save, spend and travel around Australia more.
The breakthrough came about as the Greens supported the coalition government’s 15% tax rate.
The changes are likely and we will update this space once the confirmation is available.
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Review, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.
If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:
(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956
or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Effective from 19 November 2016, subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa holders will be eligible to apply for a second Work and Holiday visa if they have worked for at least 88 days or 3 months in the specified work. This specified work usually includes work in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, in regional areas. We do not have the details on what will constitute specified work for the 462 and will do further post on this when it becomes available.
The subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa is for young travellers aged 18 to 30 from the following countries:
Argentina
Bangladesh
Chile
China, People's Republic of
Indonesia
Israel
Malaysia
Poland
Portugal
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Thailand
Turkey
USA
Uruguay
Please be aware that the subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa is different from the subclass 417 Working Holiday visa. With the changes introduced the subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa will be on par with the subclass 417 Working Holiday visa which allows for visa holders to apply for a second visa to extend their stay in Australia.
The move will also be a boost to regional Australia tourism and employers who find it difficult to find help in the bush or the outback.
Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers
The change announced is a positive development for the subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa, which has been in the shadows of the Working Holiday subclass 417 visa for a long time. The fact that this visa class is limited in numbers to the eligible countries makes this legislative change even more valuable to holders fortunate enough to obtain the visa.
While it is good to see the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) introduce changes to assist with the seasonal workforce requirements for northern Australia, it could be more beneficial if the criteria for a second Work and Holiday visa be extended to work done in other parts of Australia as well.
Another possible change that is in discussion at the moment is the increase of the upper age limit for both the subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa and the Working Holiday subclass 417 visa from 30 to 35 years of age. Work Visa Lawyers will publish the updates as they become available. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to get the latest news updates!
This information is accurate on 3 November 2016
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Review, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.
If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:
(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956
or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
With the Australian Parliament back in motion, developments to the Australian visa programme have been announced in quick succession. Here are two recent news update that will be of interest to many.
Lower taxes, visa application fees and more for Working Holiday Visas holders
On 27 September 2016 The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Treasurer for the Australian Government, released a media statement announcing a string of changes to the benefit of Working Holiday visa applicants and holders. The changes include:
- Lower taxes for working holiday visa holders
Taxable income
Tax on this income
0 – $37,000
19c for each dollar over $0
$37,001 – $80,000 ($87,000)
$7,030 plus 32.5c for each $1 over $37,000
$80,001 ($87,001) – $180,000
$21,005 plus 37c for each $1 over $80,000 ($87,000)
$180,001 and over
$58,005 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000
The $80,000 threshold is increasing to $87,000 for the 2016-17 financial year; tax paid calculation is based on the $80,000 threshold.
- Lower visa application fee for the working holiday visas
- A$ 10 million in funding to campaign for and attract youth around the world for the working holiday visa programme
- Allowing working holiday visa employees to stay with one employer for 12 months (instead of 6 months previously) provided the location of employment is different
Employers of working holiday visa holders will also need to register with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to withhold taxes at the 19 per cent tax rate. An additional A$ 10 million will be provided to the ATO and Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) to address workplace exploitation of working holiday visa holders.
Working holiday visa holders will need to note that a 95 per cent tax applies for the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP), which will be effective from 1 July 2017.
New Temporary Visa for Parents to stay in Australia for up to 5 years
Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Alex Hawke recently announced the Department’s plan to introduce a new temporary visa for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents and Eligible New Zealand citizens. Under the new temporary visa to be introduced parents who are sponsored by their Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen child will be able to visit and stay in Australia for a period of up to 5 years.
The new temporary visa for parents is planned to be implemented in July 2017 and is currently at a community discussion stage. This means that details about the new temporary visa may change and the confirmed details may only be published closer to July 2017.
Information about the new temporary visa for parents currently includes:
- the validity of the visa is determined by the needs of the sponsor. As such the visa can allow parents to stay for one, three or five years
- the sponsor(child) must have resided in and contributed(be employed and paid taxes) to Australia
- the sponsor will need to demonstrate that they can support their parents in Australia
- the parents will need to have adequate health insurance
- a bond will be required for the duration of the visa validity
As mentioned this visa is currently not in effect and further details will be provided as they become available.
Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers
The changes announced for the Working Holiday visa holders are a good direction in attracting skilled youth to visit Australia. The working holiday visa programme provides casual and seasonal workers for the agricultural industry and is a big help to Australian farmers. Making the working holiday visa attractive is important for the agricultural and tourism industry of Australia. The big u-turn to the originally planned backpacker’s tax is helpful for the working holiday visa programme.
The announcement of the temporary visa for parents is also a good direction in allowing families to spend more time with each other. However it is worth noting that in the Productivity Commission Inquiry Report on Migrant Intake into Australia, No.77 released on 13 April 2016, it is noted that the report finds that the contributory fee (currently A$ 43,600) for the subclass 143 Contributory Parent visas are deemed insufficient to cover fiscal costs of granting a parent visa. It is estimated that the fiscal costs for a single parent visa holder ranges between A$ 335,000 to A$ 410,000. Based on this finding we may see a significant increase to the contributory fee soon.
If the contributory fee for parents does increase, it may drive more applicants to apply for the new temporary visa for parents. Check back with Work Visa Lawyers as we will provide you with the latest changes about the parent visas as they become available.
This information is accurate on 30 September 2016
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Review, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.
If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:
(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956
or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Temporary workers on the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) were originally expected to start paying a 32.5% tax on all wages starting on 1 July 2016 (referred as the Backpacker Tax). Assistant Treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer has announced today that the Backpacker Tax will be delayed until 1 January 2017, pending a review to the Working Holiday (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visas (subclass 462).
With the delay of the implementation of the Backpacker Tax, temporary workers under the subclass 417 and subclass 462 visas will continue to pay tax on money earned above A$18,200.
Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers
This is good news for workers and current holders of the Working Holiday and Work and Holiday visas as the tax-free threshold is maintained. The programme will continue to be attractive for overseas youth to travel to Australia while being able to work to cover travel expenses. Regional agricultural business and farmers will be delighted with the news as it might mean that there is no need to increase payments to attract workers who are required during harvest.
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Review, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.
If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:
(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956
or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Starting on 21 September 2015, young Chinese nationals will be able to apply for the Work and Holiday (462) visas and Working Holiday (417) visas to Australia as part of improved visa facilities under the recently concluded China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). This is the first stage where 1,500 places in the Working and Holiday Visa program are going to be open for application, with more places to be released in further stages until the programme reaches its annual cap of 5,000 places.
To apply for this visa, applicants must take note of the following:
Hold a valid passport issues by the People's Republic of China
Age 18-30 at the time of lodging the application
Will not be with a dependent child while you are in Australia
Have enough money to support yourself on a working holiday (about AUD 5000)
Have enough money to buy a return or onward travel ticket at the end of your stay
Have not previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
Meet the educational requirements – usually completing a tertiary qualification
Have functional English
Meet character and health requirements
Holders of Chinese passports are not required to provide evidence of Government support for the grant of the visa
Chinese applications cannot be lodged by post, and instead must be made by appointment and in person at one of the three addresses provided in either Beijing, Guangzhou or Shanghai
So take advantage of this unique Australian visa that will allow you to visit and work in Australia at the same time! The limited places mean that not everyone in the populous country will be able to obtain this visa so act now and apply! Check with Work Visa Lawyers for your eligibility before applying.
Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers
The Work and Holiday visa programme is a great platform for overseas visitors to experience living in Australia for an extended period of time (up to 12 months). The ability to work also means that visa holders can experience the Australian work culture and meet potential employers who might be willing to offer a permanent position if the visa holder impresses. The wages from work done will also allow travellers to see more of Australia during the 12 months of stay.
A word of caution though is that Work and Holiday visa holders need to be aware of employment laws and regulations in Australia so that they are not abused in any way. A good source for that information is FairWork.gov.au and I recommend that all Work and Holiday visa holders refer to the website to understand the employment conditions in Australia.
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.
If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:
(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091
or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Australia signs work and holiday visa agreement with Greece
A joint media release from Scott Morrison MP, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection and Senator the Michaelia Cash, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection provides the following:
“Young people from Australia and Greece are a step closer to having the opportunity to visit and work in each other's countries, with the signing of a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement today.
Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon Scott Morrison, said the signing of the agreement was testament to the close and positive relationship between the two countries.
'This arrangement, when brought into effect, will enable up to 500 young adults from Greece and 500 young adults from Australia to enjoy a holiday in each other's country, during which they may engage in short-term work and study,' Minister Morrison said.
The one-year 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.
Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Michaelia Cash, said over the coming months, both countries would be working closely together to implement the necessary legal and administrative processes to bring this visa into effect.
'As well as creating an exciting opportunity for young people in both countries to experience life abroad, this arrangement will further enhance the cultural and economic links between the two countries,' Minister Cash said.
Comments by Chris Johnston, Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent:
This is exciting news, presenting an opportunity for a limited number of young Greeks. I predict that the number of 500 will be much lower than the demand for this visa, so when the visa is opened, better apply fast.
Warning:This information is accurate on the 25 May 2014.
DIBP will change visa requirements in an ongoing manner and all current requirements must be established prior to lodging an application.
A Working holiday agreement is to be signed with Greece, with the necessary processes for the signing of a reciprocal agreement between Greece and Australia underway. There is no current date for the working holiday visa to come into operation.
Once in place, this should allow for a working holiday visa for Greek passport holders aged 18 to 30 years of age.
