Australia's newly launched Working Holiday Visa has seen a huge response from young Indians, with 40,000 applications submitted for only 1,000 available spots. The visa is designed for individuals aged 18 to 30 and lets them work, study, or travel in Australia for up to one year. The acceptance of applications began on October 1 and will continue until the end of the month. After that, the people who are chosen randomly will get the chance to apply for a temporary visa and can move to Australia next year.

Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration, said the Working Holiday visa is very flexible. He explained that people on this visa can do any kind of job without restrictions. Most of them are expected to work in areas like hospitality and agriculture. However, they can also take short courses or work on improving their English.

The program is a chance for young people to get work experience in another country and learn about their culture. Matt Thistlethwaite mentioned the good relationship between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, showing that this program can help improve ties between the two countries.

 

New opportunities for young Indians

 

Australia has announced a new visa category for Indians called the Working Holiday Maker Visa. India had officially joined this program on September 16, 2024, becoming Australia's 50th working holiday maker partner country. This visa is an important step to improve relations between two countries. It will allow young Indians to work or study and experience what life is like there.

 

Building stronger ties 

 

The Assistant Minister said that the Working Holiday Maker Programme is a great opportunity for young Indians to work, study, and travel. He also noted that the friendship between two countries is getting stronger. He talked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia in 2023, which Australians welcomed with a lot of excitement.

He said, "I think that the relationship is going from strength to strength. Australians were very positive and buoyed by Prime Minister Modi's visit last year. He was given a rock star welcome in Australia."