Attracting more Working Holiday Makers

The Morrison Government has launched a new $7 million marketing campaign to attract young people from overseas to work and holiday in Australia.

The Work and Play the Aussie Way campaign encourages the uptake of Working Holiday Maker visas in the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan and Republic of Korea, by giving young travellers a glimpse of the adventures that await them while working and travelling Australia.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said Working Holiday Makers are an important part of the Australian visitor economy and fill vital skill gaps in the tourism and hospitality industries.

“Working Holiday Makers largely spend what they earn in Australia, which is why in 2019 they contributed $3.2 billion to our visitor economy, representing seven per cent of total visitor spend,” Mr Tehan said.

“These young travellers generally stay longer, spend more and visit two or more destinations around the country as they combine work with travel.

“Importantly, more Working Holiday Makers in Australia in the immediate term will help to ease some of the current workforce pressures that are being felt by businesses in tourism, hospitality and other sectors.”

The new campaign promotes the recent announcement by the Australian Government to refund the Visa Application Charge for Working Holiday Maker visa holders (subclasses 417 or 462), who arrive in Australia between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke MP said these temporary measures are designed to provide immediate assistance to Australian businesses that are currently facing critical workforce shortages, to enable them to continue delivering goods and services to the Australian community.

“Visa Application Charge refunds and priority visa processing, together with the Work and Play the Aussie Way campaign, will generate fresh interest in Australia from Working Holiday Makers who contribute greatly to our economy and fill vital skills gaps,” Minister Hawke said.

“Working Holiday Makers are critical to Australia’s post-pandemic recovery and we look forward to their return in increasing numbers,” he said.

Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is also running a $3 million campaign to attract more international students, promoting that the AU$630 visa application fee will be rebated for fully vaccinated international student visa holders who arrive in Australia between 19 January 2022 and 19 March 2022.

The offer forms one of a range of visa support initiatives, including the temporary removal of limits on working hours for student visa holders and new provisions for Temporary Graduate visa holders.

Austrade is communicating these initiatives to new, returning and continuing international students via the Study Australia website, through social media and digital channels and through Study Australia partners, education agents and networks worldwide.