The Australian Government has announced a new campaign to attract more working holiday makers to Australia, helping to boost regional tourism.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said Australia had a reputation as a top destination for working holiday makers, but that more could be done to convince working holiday makers to pack their bags and book a flight to Australia.
“Working holiday makers are an essential part of Australia’s agricultural and tourism industries,” Minister Birmingham said. “They’re absolutely critical to filling short-term workforce shortages in regional areas and they also inject over AUS$3 billion into our economy each year.”
He continued: “We know working holiday makers who travel to Australia, stay longer, spend more and travel further into regional areas than most other international visitors. They also importantly help fill seasonal roles in regional Australia, where farmers often struggle to source labour”
The new campaign, ‘Australia Inc’, is aimed at demonstrating how living and working in Australia will make young people stand out from the crowd when they return home and benefit their long-term career and life goals.
Australia Inc. will run through the United Kingdom, France and Germany and target young people who have a high likelihood of considering overseas travel with temporary work.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said recent enhancements to the work and holiday visa program were designed to support rural and regional areas.
“This campaign forms part of our ongoing work to enhance and promote the work and holiday visa program that is so important in supporting regional and rural communities,” Minister Coleman explained
“Our enhancements include expanding the regional areas where working holiday makers can work, increasing the time period they can stay with an employer and adding the option of a third-year.”
Article published 14th March 2019