Canberra (TAN): The Australian government recently announced a new campaign to attract more working holiday makers to the country, helping to support our farmers and boost regional tourism.
The country’s trade, tourism and investment minister Simon Birmingham said Australia had a reputation as a top destination for working holiday makers, but more could be done to convince working holiday makers to pack their bags and book a flight to Australia.
“Working holiday makers are an essential part of Australia’s agricultural and tourism industries,” the minister said. “They’re absolutely critical to filling short-term workforce shortages in regional areas and they also inject over AUD 3 billion into our economy each year.”
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Birmingham said: “We know working holiday makers who travel to Australia, stay longer, spend more and travel further into regional areas than most other international visitors. They also importantly help fill seasonal roles in regional Australia, where farmers often struggle to source labour.
“Working holiday makers basically spend every dollar they earn while in Australia, in addition to the savings they bring here, creating more jobs for Australians in our tourism and hospitality industry.
“Whilst Australia is a highly desirable working holiday maker destination, research shows there are some barriers to travel, such as distance and a lack of understanding of the long-term benefits of a working holiday in Australia. This campaign ‘Australia Inc’ is aimed at demonstrating how living and working in Australia will make young people stand out from the crowd when they return home and benefit their long-term career and life goals.”
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A government statement said Australia Inc. would run through the United Kingdom, France and Germany and target young people who have a high likelihood of considering overseas travel with temporary work.
Minister for immigration, citizenship and multicultural affairs David Coleman said: “This campaign forms part of our ongoing work to enhance and promote the work and holiday visa program that is so important in supporting regional and rural communities. We want Australians filling Australian jobs but when this isn’t possible action is needed to ensure farmers and other employers can continue to operate.”
Access to sufficient labour, particularly for seasonal work, is a perennial issue and concern in Australia.
