AustraliaMatt Thistlethwaite, Australian Assistant Minister for Immigration, held a launch event in Blue Tokai at Delhi’s Khan Market on Monday to promote the initiative.
AustraliaMatt Thistlethwaite, Australian Assistant Minister for Immigration, held a launch event in Blue Tokai at Delhi’s Khan Market on Monday to promote the initiative.

Indians aged 18 to 30 can now visit Australia for a year through the Working Holiday Maker initiative. Under the scheme, Australia would provide up to 1,000 qualified Indian citizens with a one-year work and holiday visa. The selected Indians might work in Australia for three months to pay for their vacation and study for up to four months. They will also be eligible for a second work and holiday visa.

Over 40,000 Indians have already filed for a visa.

India officially joined the Working Holiday Maker visa program on September 16, becoming the 50th country to do so. This program was part of the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. 

On Monday, Australian Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite hosted a Blue Tokai launch event in Delhi’s Khan Market to promote the program. “We feel very proud to launch the Working Holiday Maker Visa for young Indians to come to Australia and to experience Australian culture,” says Thistlethwaite.

“Nearly a million Australians claim Indian ancestry. The Indian diaspora is our country’s fastest-increasing demographic. This campaign provides additional opportunities for Indians to learn about our culture. “It’s a temporary visa, but it gives you a taste of what Australia is like,” he said, adding that Indians may then return and apply for a student or work and holiday visa. “There are no boundaries on the jobs you can perform. You may work in any industry. Thistlethwaite noted that while there are no limits, people typically work in the hotel industry.

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Starting October 1, eligible Indian passport holders interested in applying for a visa began registering in a visa pre-application process. To be eligible, applicants must hold an Indian passport and be between the ages of 18 and 30. The selection will be made using a ballot mechanism. Those who register will be selected at random. The online registration is accessible till October 31. From October 14, registrants will be randomly selected.