16 June 2009

Australian immigration showcased to Brits during G'DayUK Week

During two weeks of food, wine, cultural and business events, Australian immigration and tourism will be sold to Brits interested in making the move Down Under.

Being a major source of skilled workers and tourists for Australia, organisers of G'Day Week have targeted the UK to showcase Australian immigration and Australian tourism.

G'DayUK 2009 is a chance for Australian celebrities, governments, businesses and agencies to show off the sunshine in Australia.  Two week's worth of events will showcase Australia as a place of investment, tourism, business, and more importantly, as a prime destination for skilled migrants.

Although the Australian immigration program has been downsized to cope with the global recession, it remains at extraordinary levels (108,100 places for skilled migration).  The government has purposefully maintained their Australian immigration program at such a level so that a skilled workforce would be on-hand when the economy starts to recover from the financial downturn.

The G'DayUK Week will begin with a Migration Open Day on the 21 June, and will end with tasting premium Australian wines and Australian-themed food and wine menus cooked by Michelin-starred chefs on the 4 July in Selfridges, Oxford Street, London.

While Australian immigration will be a hot topic during the week, so too will be Australian tourism.  While Brits can apply for an Australian tourist visa to visit Australia for up to 12 months, the Australian working holiday visa gives young travellers a better chance to sample Australian lifestyle and employment market while holidaying at the same time.

The Australian working holiday visa allows travellers with eligible passports aged 18 to 30 years to holiday in Australia for up to 12 months, and work to supplement travel.  While Australian working holiday visa holders cannot work for any one employer for longer than six months, they have the freedom of working in any industry they choose. 

Further, any Australian working holiday maker that works in rural Australia in the horticultural or construction industries for three months or more can apply for a second Australian working holiday visa (otherwise they are limited to one per lifetime).  

Because the Australian working holiday visa allows Brits to try before they buy, it is often used as a stepping stone to obtaining a permanent Australian visa.  Once working in Australia on an Australian working holiday visa, employers can sponsor that worker to stay in Australia permanently, making it a popular option for young British tourists interested in emigrating to Australia. 

If you are interested in emigrating to Australia, take the free online skilled migration assessment to see if you are eligible for skilled migration to Australia.  Alternatively, the Australian working holiday assessment may be the option for you.

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with emigrating to Australia.