Australia increases age limit for working holiday visas to 35

‘Is my invite in the post?’: Hard-pressed Brits look to move Down Under as Australia increases age limit for working holiday visas to 35 – making 16m more UK citizens eligible

• The change is the result of a free trade agreement between the two countries 

Hard-pressed Brits are eyeing up a move Down Under as Australia increases the age limit for working holiday visas to 35.

Sixteen million more people will be eligible to apply to work in the country, as the maximum age of 30 is raised by five years from tomorrow.

The change is the result of a free trade agreement struck between the UK and Australia last month and is the first alteration to the visa since it was introduced in 1975.

The news clearly piqued the interest of a number of British workers, as they took to social media to show their enthusiasm.

One said: ‘That’s cool I might taken them up on that and head to the mines for a few years. Tough job but the pay could mean I could take years off to do fun things.’

Hard-pressed Brits are eyeing up a move Down Under as Australia increases the age limit for working holiday visas to 35 (pictured, Bondi Beach)

Sixteen million more people will be eligible to apply to work in the country, as the maximum age of 30 is raised by five years from tomorrow (pictured, Bondi Beach)

Another tweeted: ‘Is my invite in the post?! I’d be quicker saying yes than you can say Fair Dinkum…’

A third added: ‘Dear Australia – could you not introduce these visas for over 45s? I could do with a gap year.’

READ MORE: British NHS doctor moves to Australia to earn £1k-a-month more than she did in the UK – and says she has ‘absolutely no reason’ to go home

However others pointed out a potential knock-on effect, pointing out that the offer ‘won’t help on NHS staff retention’.

In recent months a number of stories have emerged of health workers moving to the other side of the world in search of better pay and quality of life.

Dr Michael Mrozinski, 37, told MailOnline last month how he gets paid double what he would in the UK, and says he is treated ‘like a professional’ in Australia and ‘feels much more respected.’ 

Similarly, Aoibhín Bradley, who packed up and moved to earn £1,000-a-month more than she did in the UK, says she has ‘absolutely no reason’ to return home, earning £3,202.53 for a 36-hour week.

Aoibhín says the salary rate ‘blew her mind’ and she is now able to spend her days off exploring and camping in Sydney and Melbourne – compared to being too tired to do anything in her free time while working for the NHS.

The existing two-year limit on the visa will be raised to three years, which does not need to be consecutive, on July 1, 2024, without the requirement to carry out months of farm work during the stay.

The agreement will also make it easier for Australians to work and travel in the UK.

Similar arrangements were due to be introduced in New Zealand today, with the increase in length of visas next July and a rise in the annual cap on UK Working Holiday Scheme to 15,000.

Dr Michael Mrozinski, 37, told MailOnline last month how he gets paid double what he would in the UK, and says he is treated ‘like a professional’ in Australia and ‘feels much more respected’ 

Similarly, Aoibhín Bradley (pictured with boyfriend, Matthew McQuaid), who packed up and moved to earn £1,000-a-month more than she did in the UK, says she has ‘absolutely no reason’ to return home, earning £3,202.53 for a 36-hour week 

When the agreement was struck trade minister Nigel Huddleston said the changes would make it more ‘flexible’ for Britons to choose what sector they work in when in the southern hemisphere, meaning those wanting to find employment in Australia and New Zealand ‘don’t have to go and work on a farm’.

Officials at the Department for Business and Trade said at the time of the agreement that the new rules agreed with Australia would also mean for the first time, UK service suppliers including architects, scientists, researchers, lawyers and accountants, will have access to visas to work in Australia without being subject to Canberra’s changing skilled occupation list.

READ MORE: Doctor and nurse who left the UK to work Down Under feel ‘vindicated’ by the move – and are paid double while colleagues back home go on strike

As part of the Wellington agreement, UK professionals, such as lawyers and auditors, will be able to work in New Zealand more easily, and bring their families with them, according to the department.

Sally Cope, Tourism Australia’s Regional General Manager for UK & Northern Europe said, ‘Every year, more than 35,000 young Brits head to Australia to work and play, the Aussie way. 

‘Our research reveals close to half of 25- to 34-year-olds are considering working abroad to advance their careers, so this five-year age range increase presents a world of openings to these young professionals. 

‘And whilst the opportunities are endless, Australia also offers an incredible lifestyle – where else can you be in the boardroom at 4pm and by the beach an hour later? 

‘We’re sure there are many 30–35-year-olds who thought they had missed their chance to live and work Down Under who will jump at this exciting prospect; and Australia is ready to welcome them.’

Research of 2,000 UK adults found that weather (30%), lifestyle (27%) and new experiences (23%) were among the top reasons Brits choose to live and work abroad. 

A more relaxed pace of life (20%), experiencing new cultures (20%) and a fresh start (19%) also made the list.

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