07 May 2009

Australian working holiday programme launching promo in South Korea

The Australian working holiday programme is being promoted in South Korea by Tourism Australia and Singapore Airlines in an attempt to further boost a burgeoning interest in the scheme.

All Australian working holiday visa holders from South Korea will have a cheaper rate for return flexible tickets to Australia with Singapore Airlines so that they may have extra incentive to take up the Australian working holiday option.  The flights can be bought this month at the cheap price of 800,000 won (AUD$840) for those departing before July 24 on an Australian working holiday visa.

The Australian working holiday programme allows travellers aged 18-30 years from participating countries to work and travel Australia for up to 12 months, provided they meet certain health and character requirements.  Holders can also apply for a second Australian working holiday visa if they work in specified occupations in regional Australia for three months or more, such as fruit picking. 

During the economic recession, the Australian working holiday has picked up in popularity worldwide as young graduates decide to travel the world until better employment opportunities arise in their home country.  While The Korea Herald says that over 32,000 South Koreans travelled Australia on a working holiday last year, the Australian Visa Bureau has noticed that Australian working holiday visa grants for young UK residents have more than doubled in the first quarter of this year when compared with last year.

"This year we have seen a phenomenal number of working holiday applications granted and we anticipate that 2009 will be the biggest number of working holiday makers heading to Australia yet," Amanda Gripske from the Australian Visa Bureau said.

If you are interested in embarking on an Australian working holiday, take the online assessment to see if you are eligible for the visa, and an Australian Visa Bureau consultant will be able to help you with the rest of your Australian visa application.

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their Australian working holiday visa application.