Young adults who are aged between 18 to 30 from partner companies are eligible for 12 months work and holiday in Australia and can increase their stay here for another 12 months in case they undertake work for at least three months in Australia such as mining, agricultural or other construction roles.
There have been some issues that few employers are exploiting the second working holiday visa powers by influencing working holiday visa holders to do the work in a low and a minimum wage.
The present arrangements provide unexpected perverse incentive for visa holders make them agree to less acceptable rules to grab another visa’ according to Assisant Minister for Immigration and border protection, Michaelia Cash.
‘Australian government is present in upholding visa integrity and preventing exploitation and the following changes will help in removing the incentive for visa holders so that substandard conditions may be accepted’. She said.
She also said those who would like to apply for a second working holiday visa must produce an official payslip from their employer to the reform that they have completed their work component.
I would say that majority of the operators are doing the correct thing. It will not be accepted that few employers have been exploiting young overseas workers and spoiling the reputation of this important social and cultural exchange programme, said Cash.
As this is the case with all visas programmes the integrity in the working holiday visa programme is kept to stop exploitation and to ensure the confidence of the public is upheld, she indicated.
Working holiday visa holders can voluntarily work if they are willing to do so, but the work will not count towards second visa eligibility.
