Australia is opening its doors for residents and citizens of the UK and Ireland for only €12. The scheme intends to encourage workers to visit the southern region of the country and contribute to an economy that has suffered without a steady flow of labour during Covid-19.
1. UK and Ireland
Those eligible to apply for the scheme announced by South Australia Tourism must be aged between 18 and 30 in the UK, or 18 and 35 in Ireland, and be prepared to fly to Adelaide before 30 September 2022. In total, 200 tickets will be available for travellers who will fly with Qatar Airways from May, and departing from Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin.
South Australia is welcoming the return of working holiday makers – it’s a real win-win for young people eager to travel and work abroad, and for our local tourism industry.
Zoe Bettison, South Australian minister for tourism
Barry Corr, chief executive of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce said there has been a “massive shortage” of labour across Australia: “There are pronounced shortages across [much of] the economy… One of the areas that’s probably feeling quite acute pain has been the agricultural sector which would have had a constant supply of backpackers coming through to work in fruit picking and things like that.”
2. Working holiday visa
As well as meeting the criteria above, young people from Britain and Ireland will need to obtain a working holiday visa without having already a job in sight. This visa costs 495 Australian dollars (around €333) and lasts for 12 months. For those in love with Adelaide, it will be possible to extend the stay for another with a ‘Second Working Holiday Visa’.
3. Full assistance
To apply for these cheap tickets, travellers must book a Trailfinders Adelaide arrival pack, which provides a brief stay in a “sociable hostel in the centre of Adelaide,” job search assistance, information packs, 12-month membership to “the backpacker list” for job search and three months access to a work and travel support line.
Our tourism operators have missed having international visitors on their tours and experiences and booking up accommodation, and they’ve also missed the backpacker workforce and the vibrancy they bring.
Zoe Bettison, South Australian minister for tourism
Finally, fully-vaccinated visa holders no longer need to test for Covid-19 before travelling to Australia, after the rules were eased on 17 April.
