The Australian government has announced that it will relax visa regulations for visa applicants willing to help rebuild after the devastating bushfires which ravaged parts of the continent recently.
The visa rule changes apply to foreign candidates applying for working-holiday visas, such as backpackers. Only British foreign nationals are eligible for this concession, however. According to Tourism Australia, Britons account for the majority of Australia’s foreign working holidaymakers.
The changes to the visa regulations will give preference to applicants who plan to work and volunteer with local businesses and communities to help with recovery efforts. British helpers will be able to remain in one job for up to a year, as opposed to just six months according to the previous rules.
‘These hard-working Australians have been hit by the recent bushfires, but from today [17 February] they can employ backpackers for six months longer, helping them at a critical time in the recovery effort,’ said Alan Tudge, acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs said.
‘It means working holidaymakers can help rebuild homes, fences and farms, they can get onto properties and help with demolition, land clearing, and repairing dams, roads and railways.’
The bushfires destroyed millions of hectares, thousands of homes and claimed the lives of 33 people, according to the Guardian. Affected areas include parts of Victoria, New South Wales and Kangaroo Island.
For more information, consult the Australian Government’s immigration services.
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