AMS Migration Services

The Specialist in Australian Migration

31 October 2005

Growers will have access to more Working Holiday Makers, as a result of changes starting tomorrow, Nov 1, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Amanda Vanstone, said today.

'The Australian Government is offering a second, 12 month Working Holiday Maker visa to working holiday makers who have done at least three months seasonal harvest work in regional Australia,' the Minister said.

'At the moment, Working Holiday Makers are only eligible for one of these visas in a lifetime.

'The scheme provides a strong incentive to working holiday makers to go out and do harvest work, providing a major boost to harvest industries looking for seasonal workers,'

The expansion of the WHM program will not only help rural and regional industries, but also give working holiday makers an opportunity to see more of Australia, providing a further boost to tourism industries.

'Many farmers have indicated to me that Working Holiday Makers are amongst their most valuable workers because of their mobility and enthusiasm,' the Minister said.

During the last financial year, over 100 000 working holiday makers visited Australia. Research shows that about 15 per cent of WHMs do harvest work during their stay. These changes aim to substantially increase this number.

Working holiday makers will be expected to provide proof of their harvest work. Farmers may be asked to sign a form, or provide a reference, to verify work done on their farm. The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs may contact growers to check the details provided by the working holiday maker.

To be eligible for this visa you need to hold a passport of one of 13 countries which are; Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Estonia.