Australia to Offer 1,000 Work-Holiday Visas to Indian Citizens, to Strengthen Ties Under ECTA

Australia will start offering around 1,000 work and holiday visas each year to Indian citizens under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) from October 1 onwards. Recently, the union minister of commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal, concluded his three-day visit to Australia on September 26 and said that the work and holiday visa will promote mobility and foster a stronger people-to-people bond. 

The decision to offer 1,000 work and holiday visas is part of the trade agreement signed between the two countries in 2022. Following this, the Australian Department of Home Affairs made important changes to the visa rules, including India’s inclusion in the subclass 462 (work and holiday) visa program. Additionally, the amended rules specify India as a foreign country to enable applicants who hold a passport issued by India to be eligible to apply for a subclass 462 visa. 

The subclass 462 visa lets people between the age group of 18 and 30 years have an extended holiday in Australia and work in the country to help fund their trip. It is different from a typical tourist visa as it allows the right to work and study. 

“During the visit, happy to learn that work and holiday visa, a key commitment under India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement will be operational from 1st October 2024 which will facilitate mobility and deepen people-to-people connect,” said Piyush Goyal in a post on X. 

“ECTA will support tourism and workforce needs in regional Australia by making 1000 work and holiday program places available to young adventurous Indians,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a press release. He highlighted that it will create opportunities for Indian students graduating in Australia to undertake post-study work, with a bonus year of stay for high-performing STEM graduates. 

The move is part of a broader plan between the two countries to strengthen ties. Earlier this year, the government of Australia set up a Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) to prioritise more on business, academia and the cultural sector. Additionally, the CAIR will focus more on the roles of Indian-Australian communities than just the roles of the governments of the two countries. 

Australia’s Visa Policy Draws Criticism from Student Community 

While the country is making efforts to strengthen ties on multiple fronts, its visa policy that came into effect on July 1 this year, has drawn criticism from the international students' community. 

The government designed the new rules to ensure only those students who genuinely have the intention of studying in Australia are granted visas. Consequently, it has capped the number of intakes to 270,000 in the year 2025. 

According to the new rules, temporary graduate visa holders are no longer eligible to apply for a student visa while residing in Australia. 

The changes include a lowering age eligibility from 50 to 35 years, and a stricter English language proficiency requirement. Additionally, the government also reduced the duration of post study work rights to avoid the students who prolong their stay after expiry of the visa. 

The government's move has given a blow to international students, including Indians who were eyeing an opportunity to study in Australia.