Aussies Launch Work-holiday Visas

[george]

Aussies launch work-holiday visas

BANGKOK: -- The Australian Embassy in Bangkok granted the new Work and Holiday Visa to the first young Thai recipient yesterday. The aim of the new visa programme is to allow Thai and Australian nationals aged between 18 and 30 to work in each other’s countries while on holidays so that they can better enjoy the cultural experience. The programme is part of the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. “The scheme will boost understanding between the two countries,” said Australian Ambassador to Thailand William Paterson.

He attended a ceremony at the Bangkok embassy to mark the presentation of the first visa to Wannaporn Thanatkha, 24, a bachelor’s degree holder from Khon Kaen University.

Visa holders will be allowed to stay up to 12 months from the date they arrive and undertake casual work, study and training during that period.

They are permitted to stay a maximum of only three months with one employer or institution to encourage them to move around and see the country. “They [visa holders] don’t have to work at all unless they want to. But with this scheme they can be exposed to learning the language in a real work place, get extra money and have holidays,” said David Merz, Australia’s first secretary for immigration.

Only 100 places will be available for both Thai and Australian applicants in the first year.

The number of visas may be increased later, he said.

“We’ll see what the demand is and we can always go back to the negotiating table to look at expanding it,” he said. The Work and Holiday Visa applicants must complete tertiary education and have a good command of spoken English. An IELTS score result of 4.5 is preferable. If the English test score is not submitted, an education background or previous English-language experience will be looked into and an interview will be required.

The application process will take three or four weeks and will cost Bt5,000. Wannaporn will leave for Sydney in early December. “My primary aim is to practise English and travel around the country,” said the computer science graduate.

--The Nation 2005-11-23

[awarrumbungle]

Wow is this a sign of easier visas for Thais in general to get to Aus?

[Prudent_rabbit]

Good news, but only a 100!!!!!

[Crushdepth]

Yeah 100 places is a bit of a joke. A three month limit is a bit of a joke too - not many employers will be keen either.

[Prudent_rabbit]

The 3 month thing is pretty standard, ie do 3 month in Sydney then move on and do 3 months in Brisbane etc etc. Lots of employers there use these WHV people, and realise they are only there for 3 months. Some of these jobs are the real backbreaking picking fruit, plucking chicken variety of jobs and some people land some really good jobs that can lead onto the 457 Visa (4 year long term). But I imagine the first 100 have allready been allocated

[samran]

Yeah 100 places is a bit of a joke. A three month limit is a bit of a joke too - not many employers will be keen either.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Irish, Poms, Canadians, you name it are all subject to the same restictions.

Many countries also face quota restictions, but as the programme proves successful, they Aust government is usually keen to give out more. Afterall, it is a good way to get:

1) cheap, flexible and well trained labour; and

2) it is an excellent way for people to get a 'taster' of what Australia is all about, before they head home and re-apply to migrate. And given the top-heavy nature of the age demographic in Australia...boy do we need immigrants.

[Prudent_rabbit]

The thing is, will they allow a reciprical arrangement where Aussis can work over here for 3 months at a time at different companies and not be restricted to the normal rules and regs.

[samran]

The thing is, will they allow a reciprical arrangement where Aussis can work over here for 3 months at a time at different companies and not be restricted to the normal rules and regs.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, all working holiday agreements are reciprocal. However, the Thai side has not yet clearly advertised as to when/how things will work from here.

[pantsninja]

Just found this on the thai consulate sydney web site, explains rules for australian's wanting work and travel visa to thailand.

http://thaisydney.idx.com.au/HoliWorkvisa.html

(only opens in IE, for some reason doesn't work with firefox)