Australia is finally raising its working holiday visa age for Brits, as well as Italians and Danes. The country agreed to increase the age limit for UK citizens from 30 to 35 in December 2021. The agreement is due to come into effect on 31 May, giving Australia two years to implement it.
What will change for Brits under Australia’s new visa agreement?
Under the new rules set out in the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, Brits up to 35 years old will be able to apply for the visa. This could start any time between next month and May 2025. Currently, applicants must be 30 or younger.
Restrictions on the type of work you can do will also be eased. Currently, the visa lasts for 12 months. Applicants can get up to three year-long visas - but only if they carry out between three and six months of ‘specified work’. The type of work varies between regions, ranging from fruit picking to hospitality, and must usually be undertaken outside of the major cities.
Under the new rules, the requirement to undertake specified work will be dropped. However, the six month work limitation per employer will return after June 2023, meaning you’ll need to switch jobs twice per year.
Australia increased the number of visas available by 30 per cent in July 2022 and raised the upper age limit from 30 to 35 years for Italians and Danes. It also increased the annual caps for applicants from Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.
Source: euronews.com