New visa promotes Australia as a work and holiday destination

Singapore is one of Australia's most vibrant tourism markets. In the year ending March 2017, Australia welcomed 383,000 visitors from Singapore and almost 100,000 of these visitors were youth travellers, between 15 and 30 years of age.

As a significant part of our growing tourism industry, working holiday makers contributed $3.2 billion to the Australian economy in 2016.

While in Singapore, I was pleased to promote Australia's new work and holiday visa to young Singaporeans who are eager to visit Australia to stay longer, travel further and immerse themselves in the many wonderful experiences we have to offer.

The new visa commenced on 1 August and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The first round of visa application appointments – 125 in total – were filled within one hour.

I had the opportunity to meet two of the first cohort of Singaporean work and holiday visa holders, Deborah Yap and Amira Rahmat, who will soon be heading down to Australia. Deborah and Amira, along with many young Singaporeans, will have the genuine opportunity to live like a local in Australia.

Similarly, more young Australians now have the opportunity to holiday in Singapore whilst studying, or undertaking work to supplement their travel.

Industry has welcomed the Turnbull Government's ability to create new working and holiday visa opportunities in Singapore and increase opportunities in other markets like Spain and Chile.

Details relevant to the work and holiday (subclass 462) visa are at the Immigration and Border Protection website: www.border.gov.au.