Australia sweetens deal for backpackers looking for a working holiday
Australia's government has tweaked the rules around visiting the country in the hope of attracting more working holiday makers.
The cost of visas have been reduced and income tax rates lowered, as part of a campaign launched on Tuesday.
A working holiday visa will be reduced by A$50 (US$65), bringing the cost down to A$390 (US$297) from Jan. 1, 2017.
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Income taxes have been lowered to 19 per cent on incomes up to A$37,000 (US$28,255) for working holiday makers, down from 32.5 per cent.
The changes means Australia offers "the highest after tax wages compared to countries like Canada and New Zealand," said Steven Ciobo, Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism.
Australia's government is also exploring the possibility of extending the working holiday visa to those up to the age of 35. It's currently available for 18 to 30 year olds.
To apply for a working holiday visa, you'll need to have a passport from a handful of eligible countries including Canada, Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom -- where 40,000 working holiday makers in Australia come from each year.
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The working holiday visa allows people to stay for a maximum of two years. After the first year, you'll need to spend three months doing "specified work" in regional Australia, away from the cities.
"Specified work" includes farming, construction and mining -- so you can't be pouring beers the whole time.
Just avoid the dodgy employers that take advantage of backpackers which are out there. Oh, and avoid this guy:
