Young workers have been given an extra five years to seize the opportunity to travel to Ireland and Canada on a working holiday.
Australians up to age 35 are now able to go on working holidays to Ireland and Canada as part of a new reciprocal arrangement announced by the federal government on Thursday.
The age limit for Irish and Canadian citizens wanting to spend a year working and travelling in Australia has also been increased by five years from 30 to 35.
"Both Canada and Ireland have been part of Australia's Working Holiday Maker program since it began in 1975 so it is fitting that they are the first countries to become eligible for the extended age range," Immigration Minister David Coleman said.
The purpose of the program is to strengthen the "cultural exchange" between the participating countries by creating more opportunities for young people to travel.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman. Source: SBS
Last year, more than 16,000 citizens from Canada and Ireland were granted Working Holiday visas for Australia, with many of them living and working in regional and rural areas during their stay.
The change to the working visa age limit came into effect from November 1, 2018.
