(VOVWORLD) - Australia has expanded the number of Work and Holiday Maker visa places available to Vietnamese people, upping the annual intake from 200 to 1,500 a year from September 2, according to the Department of Home Affairs.
 Australia ups Vietnamese Work and Holiday Maker visas from 200 to 1,500 from September 2, 2019. (Source: VTV) |
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said demand for the Work and Holiday visas from Vietnamese nationals has been strong since the agreement began in 2017, with all 200 places allocated in the past two years.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said the number of Vietnamese visitors to Australia has grown by 10% over the past year, adding the visa expansion will encourage more Vietnamese nationals to choose Australia for a working holiday.
Under the agreement between the two countries, Vietnamese citizens between 18 and 31 years of age who complete at least two years of undergraduate university study and meet basic English proficiency requirements are eligible for a Work and Holiday visa.
Vietnamese Work and Holiday visa holders can undertake work in approved industries in certain occupations in regional Australia and are allowed to stay in Australia for maximum 12 months.