Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced “the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI ECTA) will open a “big door into the world’s fastest-growing major economy” for Australians.
- Work and Holiday visas will be implemented for Indian citizens within two years
- Visa holders will be able to stay and work in Australia for 12 months
- The Australian government says it will help boost the cultural ties
The program will be implemented within two years and will allow up to 1,000 Indian youngsters in a year to holiday in Australia while working and earning money.
“This is expected to contribute to both workforce requirements and to boost tourism to support our post-COVID recovery,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s office said.
Working Holiday – what is it?
According to the Australian government, this working holiday program is a national exchange program that allows young travelers to earn money as they travel.
Our Melbourne-based Migration agent Mandeep sidhu explained that there are two types of working holiday programs in Australia – the Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462).
Australia offers Working Holiday visas to citizens of 19 nations, mostly European and a few Asian countries including Japan, the Republic of Korea and Hong Kong.
However, the Work and Holiday visa is available to 26 countries including the USA, China, Singapore, and Indonesia.
“The Work and Holiday program, which will be available for Indian citizens, has an age limit of 18 to 30 years when you apply. However, the Working Holiday visa lets people up to 35 years from some countries.
Other eligibility criteria for the visa will be as follows:
- Hold a valid Indian passport
- Are outside Australia at the time of application for and grant of visa
- Lodge an online application
- Pay the visa application charge
- Intend primarily to holiday in Australia for a period of up to 12 months
- 18-30 years of age at the time of application
- Will not be accompanied by dependent children
- Hold an onward travel ticket or have sufficient funds for such a ticket
- Possess sufficient funds for personal support in Australia and to depart
- Meet health and character requirements
