Australia to Offer 1,000 Work and Holiday Visas to Indians

Starting 1st October 2024, Australia will offer up to 1,000 work and holiday visas annually to Indian citizens, fulfilling a key commitment under the India-Australia interim free trade agreement.

Key Points

India-Australia Interim Trade Deal Boosts Mobility: Australia's offer of work and holiday visas aims to deepen people-to-people connections and improve mobility between the two nations, as stated by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
Key Provisions of the Visa Program: Under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), which came into effect in December 2022, Indian citizens between 18-30 years can apply for one-year visas to work, study, and travel across Australia.
Visa Details: Australia will annually grant up to 1,000 multiple-entry work and holiday visas for Indian citizens who meet the eligibility criteria outlined by Australian legislation, allowing temporary stays of up to 12 months.
Expanding the Trade Agreement: India and Australia are now negotiating to expand the existing trade agreement into a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which would further enhance bilateral ties.
Economic Targets: The two nations discussed their goal of achieving AUD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 and enhancing cooperation in various regional and multilateral forums.
India-Egypt Trade Talks: Separately, the Indian government held the sixth session of the India-Egypt Joint Trade Committee in New Delhi, focusing on enhancing cooperation in areas such as the Suez Canal Economic Zone, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and electronics manufacturing.