Young people from Australia and Poland will have the opportunity to experience a slice of each other’s culture, with a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement between the two countries commencing today.
Now open for visa applications, the arrangement means that young people from Australia and Poland will have the opportunity to experience short term work and study arrangements in each other’s country.
Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, said the agreement reflected the close and positive relationship between the two countries, and will strengthen cultural exchange and widen economic ties and links between the two countries.
‘This arrangement will enable up to 200 young adults from Poland and 200 young adults from Australia to enjoy a holiday in each other’s country, during which they may engage in short-term work and study,’ Minister Cash said.
‘I am excited that young adults from both countries will be able to experience a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience, while at the same time strengthening links between our two countries.’
The work and holiday visa differs from a working holiday visa as it requires applicants to have the support of their government, hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications and to speak functional English.
Minister Cash said that Poland is the latest country to have a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement with Australia, joining a number of other countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Turkey, the United States and Uruguay.
‘The reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement fosters people-to-people links between the two countries and increases opportunities for young people to experience a new culture first hand,’ Minister Cash said.
Source: www.minister.immi.gov.au
Last update: Friday, 01 August 2014 at 15:51 AEST