The Morrison Government has announced that Switzerland will become the 45th country to have access to Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program from 1 January 2022. Young people from Switzerland, aged between 18 and 30, can apply to stay in Australia for one year while undertaking short-term work and study.

This is welcome news to those in the industry currently experiencing staff shortages.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke, welcomed the start of this arrangement.
"As our borders open to the world, the Government is focused on opportunities to support economic recovery. The Working Holiday Maker program offers young people the opportunity to travel to Australia, and supports Australia’s key industries and regional communities,” Minister Hawke said.
“Today’s announcement will give Swiss nationals between the ages of 18 and 30 the opportunity for a unique cultural exchange experience,” he said.
“Switzerland and Australia are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year and are elevating our strategic partnership and expanding cooperation.
“These arrangements strengthen the positive relationship between our countries and will further build economic and people-to-people links,” he said.

Prior to the pandemic working holiday makers injected around $3 billion into the economy each year, most of which was spent in regional areas.

Working holiday makers generally stay longer, spend more money in Australia and travel further into regional areas than most other international visitors.

The Swiss Government has also announced that Australians will be able to travel to Switzerland without a visa from 1 January 2022.

More information on the work and holiday visa program is at www.homeaffairs.gov.au.

Source: Australian Government