From 28 Dec 2018, the number of places available for subclass 462 visas will increase from 1,500 to 3,400 per year for Spanish nationals and from 500 to 2,500 for Israeli nationals. ‘From 1 July 2019, the option of a third year stay will also be available to them’.
The Minister for Immigration’s webpage contains the following announcement (underlining added):
Friday, 28 December 2018
Regional Australia to benefit from increased Work and Holiday Visa arrangements with Spain and Israel
The Work and Holiday visa arrangements with Spain and Israel now allows even more young people to explore, work and study in Australia.
The number of places available to Spanish nationals under the Work and Holiday Maker program (subclass 462) will increase from 1,500 per year to 3,400 from 28 December.
The number of places available to Israeli nationals will increase from 500 per year to 2,500.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said the increase in the number of places available is part of a range of measures introduced in November to support farmers fill critical work shortages.
“These additional places will allow thousands more young people from Spain and Israel each year to enjoy a 12-month holiday in Australia, during which they may undertake short-term work and study,” Mr Coleman said.
“This arrangement will provide additional support to regional Australia by encouraging more workers to the areas that need them.”
“While on their first visa, both Spanish and Israeli nationals may undertake specified work in regional areas to become eligible for a second Work and Holiday visa and extend their stay. From 1 July 2019, the option of a third year stay will also be available to them if they undertake six months of regional work in their second year in Australia.”
The Work and Holiday visa requires first-time applicants to hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications and to speak a functional level of English.
Australia’s Working Holiday Maker Program currently has arrangements in place with 42 countries.
The number of places available to Peruvian nationals under the Work and Holiday Maker program will also increase from 100 places to 1,500 on 2 January 2019.
The Government is currently in discussions with a number of other countries for a cap increase.
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Sergio Zanotti Stagliorio is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1461003). He is the owner of Target Migration in Sydney. He can be reached at sergio@targetmigration.com.au