Rise in Overseas Students and Holiday Workers to Australia in 2022

The Federal Government of Australia has announced a range of visa measures. This step has been taken to encourage fully vaccinated Student Visa and Working Holiday Maker visas holders to return to Australia. This initiative aims to address the ongoing labor shortages in Australia.

Alex Hawke announces a significant rise in overseas students to Australia. The Working Holiday Makers program provides 500 visas to Greek citizens every year who want to visit and work in Australia. Working Holiday Visa holders who’re currently not in Australia may apply for a refund of their Visa Application Charge (VAC) worth $495. It’ll be possible if they come to Australia in the next 12 weeks.

While Student Visa holders who return within the next 8 weeks can also apply for a refund of the Visa Application Charge. The refund will be worth $630. These changes will be applied to new visa applications. Visa applications will be finalized quickly to encourage applicants to return to Australia as soon as possible.

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Statements by Alex Hawke on Rise in Overseas Students

The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke, said that Australia is open for business. There’s a significant increase in international students coming to Australia. Further, more people will be coming to Australia under the Working Holiday Program in 2022.

Regarding the rise in overseas students in Australia, Mr. Alex Hawke stated:

Visa application rates have surged in the last week, since the Government’s announcement of a special Visa Application Charge (VAC) refund window for people who travel and arrive in Australia over the coming weeks.

We are building back healthy pipelines of Working Holiday Makers, and we are processing these visas very quickly. The Government is seeing a surge in demand from backpackers and we are ready to welcome them to our shores.

According to Alex Hawke, around 7,000 overseas students had arrived in Australia between 24th and 30th January in preparation for the start of courses in Australia. Over 56,000 international students have entered Australia since November 2020. It’s estimated that more than 50,000 overseas students have applied for visas since last year.

The Minister, Alex Hawke, said that the process of visa grants to overseas students was smooth. As he had directed the Department to provide more resources for the process of Student Visa applications. According to Alex Hawke, there’s been a 17% rise in arrivals under Working Holiday Maker Visa Program.

56,000 overseas students had arrived in Australia since November 2020. Number of people has increased up to 17% who arrived under Working Holiday Maker Visa Program in Australia.

International backpackers have applied for 2,600 applications for visas 417 and 462 from 24th to 30th January. Over 28,000 Working Holiday Maker visas have been granted since the re-opening of international borders in Australia. Alex Hawke said that the Australian Government has signed new and expanded Working Holiday Maker agreements with 45 countries. It includes 500 (annually capped) from Greece.

He stated:

Visa application rates have surged in the last week, since the Government’s announcement of a special Visa Application Charge (VAC) refund window for people who travel and arrive in Australia over the coming weeks.

Refund of Visa Application Charge (VAC)

As per the recent announcement from the ministry, people holding Working Holiday Maker Visas (417 and 462) who’re outside Australia and enter Australia from the 19th of January to 19th April 2022 can get a Visa Application Refund (VAC).

Minister Alex Hawke said that a new $7 million marketing campaign, Work and Play the Aussie Way, had been introduced for the rise in overseas students. This campaign aims to attract young international people to spend their vacations and work in Australia.

The campaign aims to increase the number of Working Holiday Maker visas in the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, and Korea. It’ll give a glimpse of adventures to young travelers, which they’ll get while traveling and working in Australia.

Launch of Work and Play the Aussie Way, a $7 million marketing campaign to attract young people.

Alex Hawke stated:

There are more jobs now available in Australia than before the COVID-19-Pandemic, and there are still many more places available to Backpackers and Students that we are ready to fill, so come on down.

Conclusion

The Australian Prime Minister, Alex Hawke, has announced a significant rise in overseas students and holiday workers to Australia. It has also confirmed to give a refund of VAC to specific people under Working Holiday Maker Program.

This initiative is designed to address the workforce shortages in Australia. Further, its purpose is to encourage maximum Student Visa 500 and Work Holiday Maker Visa holders to return to Australia. Though, if you need help to apply for any of these visas, you can connect with us at any time.

Source: NEOS KOSMOS

Nasir Nawaz

I’m Nasir Nawaz. I’m a registered migration consultant in Australia. I am based in Sydney. I’ve studied Master of Laws at the University of New South Wales. I’m providing immigration services for several years.

Consult with me for legal advice on Australian visas to permanently live, study, and work in Australia.