Bring on the backpacker boom

  • Media release

Today I launch Australia's new campaign to attract more working holiday makers to Australia.

I am launching the global $10 million campaign in the United Kingdom, our largest market for working holiday makers, at Victoria Station with a pop up beach.

The campaign will build on the Turnbull Government's recent reform package, which will make Australia a world-leading destination for young people to undertake a working holiday.

Key highlights of the reform package include:

  • offering working holiday makers the highest post-tax income among comparable countries with a tax rate at 19 per cent;
  • allowing more tourists to become working holiday makers, with the age limit increasing from 30 to 35 years old;
  • reducing visa application charges for working holiday makers by $50 down to $390; and
  • allowing working holiday makers to work for the same employer for 12 months, provided the second six months is in a different region.

Combined with Australia's natural beauty and safety, conditions are ripe for a backpacker boost.

The campaign by Tourism Australia invites young people around the world to come to Australia for a life-changing experience, working and holidaying in our beautiful country.

The three-year campaign will target the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy to boost the number of working holiday maker arrivals.

Working holiday makers are an important part of Australia's tourism industry; with more than 320,000 working holiday makers spending around $3 billion in Australia in the last year.

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