Working Visas Working for Tourism

The announcement by the Australian Government of extensions to the Working Holiday visa arrangements will provide a real boost for Australia’s new international tourism marketing campaign - ‘So Where the Bloody Hell Are You?’ - Tourism Australia Managing Director, Scott Morrison said today.

“The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Senator Vanstone,has announced an expansion to the range of industries that backpackers can work in to qualify for the visa extension announced last year, which enabled travellers who undertook three months of seasonal harvest work, to apply for a second 12 month Working Holiday Maker visa,” Scott Morrison said.

“The ability to now include fishing, pearling, shearing, butchery and forestry to qualify for the 12-month extension will greatly increase the working options available for young travellers and create additional opportunities to increase their dispersal and length of stay.

“In addition, young international travellers will welcome the stability and certainty of being able to work with one employer for up to six months and the extension of their study time from three to four months.

“These are important initiatives that will boost Australia’s attractiveness internationally as a tourism destination for young travellers in key segments that have been experiencing increased competitive pressures.

“It would be a fantastic outcome for the tourism industry if more young travellers took up the opportunity to work and study in Australia and hopefully stay on a little longer.”

“The Australian Government clearly understands the challenges facing the highly lucrative youth market and is taking action to address these challenges,” Scott Morrison said.

“Last year the Government permitted young travellers to stay in Australia for two years instead of the previous one year cap and Tourism Australia will leverage these new measures in our key overseas markets to attract more young travellers.

“Young travellers are a key high yield market, with their high dispersal and length of stay delivering immediate economic benefits to regional, rural and remote communities around Australia and we will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure that these young people continue to make Australia their number one destination in the world,” Scott Morrison said.

3 May 2006