A Department of Immigration official confirmed with SBS Hindi that the Work and Holiday visas will be come into effect within two years of the ECTA’s entry into force
Indian tourists between 18 and 30 years of age will be granted one-year visas under the groundbreaking Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) between India and Australia, which will come into force on December 29, 2022, reported sbs.com.au. The agreement will pave the way for two-way free trade.
Under the ECTA, a new working holiday programme will be offered to young Indians, with 1,000 seats set aside every year. A Department of Immigration official confirmed with SBS Hindi that the Work and Holiday visas will be come into effect within two years of the ECTA’s entry into force.
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Australia currently has working holiday maker programmes with 47 countries
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“The Australian government recognises that Working Holiday Makers provide an important cultural and economic contribution to Australia, including through their role in filling skills and labour gaps and job creation in associated industries and businesses,”
— DHA spokesperson
“The government also recognises the importance of Working Holiday Makers to Australia’s economic recovery during and after the COVID-19 pandemic,” the spokesperson told SBS Hindi.
“Australia will put in place arrangements to allow eligible Indian citizens aged between 18 and 30 to apply for a Work and Holiday visa to visit Australia for one year and undertake short-term work and study while holidaying,” the official said. The official also said that “as announced on 2 April this year, temporary entry and temporary stay shall be granted for up to a combined total of 1,800 per year of qualified, professional Indian traditional chefs and yoga instructors entering as Contractual Service Suppliers of India.”
According to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Australia currently has working holiday maker programmes with 47 countries. “The Australian government recognises that Working Holiday Makers provide an important cultural and economic contribution to Australia, including through their role in filling skills and labour gaps and job creation in associated industries and businesses,” a DHA spokesperson was quoted saying. “The government also recognises the importance of Working Holiday Makers to Australia’s economic recovery during and after the COVID-19 pandemic,” the spokesperson told SBS Hindi.
The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) programme comprises the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa and the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
During January 1 to October 31, 2022, 143,637 WHM visa applications were lodged and 149,629 WHM visas were granted to eligible nationals.
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