Guest The Pom Queen Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 The Working Holiday Visa scheme into Australia enjoyed its biggest year ever for the year ending June 2012 with a 13 per cent growth, while 2nd year visas grew by 35 per cent. Over 185,000 first time visas were granted plus a further 30,000 2nd year visas, according to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. According to the figures, the scheme has grown at 8.5 per cent compound year on year. The top ten biggest numbers coming into Australia are from UK, South Korea, Germany, Ireland, France, Taiwan, Italy, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong and Sweden. Whilst the European countries make up the biggest numbers the quickest growth in 2011/12 has come from Taiwan and Hong Kong and overall Asian working holiday makers now make up a third of the total. YHA CEO Julian Ledger said that the scheme is popular because Australia is well known as an established working holiday destination with lots of opportunities. “The country has avoided most of the financial issues of recent years, has low unemployment and participants are able to work with an employer for up to six months earning Aussie dollars.” He said the visa process administered by the Dept of Immigration and Citizenship is quick and efficient with visas issued online. With tourism visa numbers softer he said that it was the working holiday participants that were fuelling online gateway hostel bookings in Australia. He said that the rise in second year visas reflected the bigger numbers eligible from 2010/11, with more people doing regional work than ever before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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