Guest The Pom Queen Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 Extending working holiday visas so backpackers can stay and work longer in agricultural jobs could make a difference to the chronic labour shortages facing Australia’s farming and rural sectors.Currently, backpackers under the age of 30 can visit Australia for 12 months under 417 visas where they are permitted to work six months of that time to help supplement their holidays. The time-frame can be extended to 24 months if the backpackers work in regional areas for three months, while using their first visa. Australia has reciprocal working holiday visa arrangements with the UK, Ireland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. Working holiday arrangements under the 462 visa classification also exist between Australia and Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Turkey, Chile and the US - encouraging cultural exchanges and closer ties. However, when those visas expire, rural employers often face the conundrum of having to let good workers go, having trained them and developed solid working rapports - even with a local labour shortage. They can apply for a 457 visa which allows businesses to employ non-Australians under sponsorship arrangements, to fill voids in certain skill sectors. Under those rules, workers can spend four years employed in an Australian business, bring family with them and travel to and from the country freely. The workers must be sponsored by an employer and have certain skills, qualifications, experience, and an employment background, matching the position’s requirements. They must also demonstrate a certain level of competence in speaking English; be eligible for any relevant licences or registrations required for the nominated position; and have health insurance. AgriLabour Australia business development manager Luke Brown said extending 417 and 462 working holiday visas, by as little as 12 months, would make an immediate difference to help relieve the massive workforce shortages in rural and farming areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalis Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 I heard they were going to give automatic 2 year visa's out as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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