Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs, stated today that international students and working holiday makers had arrived in large numbers in recent weeks.

"“Australia is open for business. Minister Hawke stated, "We are bringing back a growing number of international students, backpackers, and skilled migrants."

"Since the Government announced a special Visa Application Charge (VAC) reimbursement window for persons who fly and arrive in Australia in the coming weeks," he added, "visa application rates have risen in the last week."

"We're re-establishing healthy Working Holiday Maker channels, and we're processing these visas swiftly." "We are ready to welcome backpackers to our shores," he added, noting an increase in demand from the government.

"Australians have a lot of faith in the country's economic revival. Unemployment is at an all-time low, business and government are enticing employees to come to Australia, and we are prepared to satisfy the demand. We all have a role to play in the economic recovery, filling critical skills shortages, and the government is providing these incentives to encourage skilled workers to come to Australia now and take advantage of these opportunities, as well as participate in Australia's phenomenal economic recovery," he said.

"There are more jobs available in Australia now than there were before the COVID-19 pandemic, and there are still many more Backpacker and Student spots available that we are eager to fill," Minister Hawke added. ​

International Students

In the previous week alone, Australia is thrilled to have welcomed over 7,000 international students. ​

From the 24th to the 30th of January, we had a tremendous return of international students to our shores, with about 7,000 international students arriving in Australia ahead of course start dates at Australian campuses all throughout the country. ​

A total of 56,000 international students have arrived in Australia since late November 2021. ​

In recent months, demand for Australian study visas has been exceptionally high, with more than 50,000 international student visa applications filed since late 2021. ​

The Minister directed the Department to commit greater resources to processing the visas of International Students, which has resulted in a flood of visa permits for international students. ​

Working Holiday Makers

In the recent week, the number of Working Holiday Makers arriving increased by 17%. ​

Between the 24th and the 30th of January, the number of Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417 and 462) applications increased, with 2,600 visa applications filed by international backpackers. ​

Since the reopening of international borders to fully vaccinated skilled workers, International Students, and Working Holiday Makers, a total of 28,000 Working Holiday Maker visas have been awarded, in accordance with the National Plan to safely reopen Australia. ​

In recent years, the Morrison government has signed a number of new and expanded Working Holiday Maker agreements with partner nations, bringing the total number of partner countries or areas to 45. ​

Refunds of Visa Application Charges

Through the announcement of a new Visa Application Charge (VAC) refund window for eligible travellers, fully vaccinated International Students and Working Holiday Makers have been urged to return to Australia immediately to help our economic recovery and to begin studies. ​

Working Holiday Maker visa holders (subclasses 417 or 462) who come in Australia between 19 January and 19 April 2022 are entitled for a refund of the VAC. ​

Student visa holders who arrive in Australia between the 19th of January and the 19th of March 2022 are entitled for a VAC refund. ​

Attracting more International Students and Working Holiday Makers

These plans are backed by a new $7 million marketing campaign aimed at attracting young people from across the world to work and vacation in Australia. ​​

The Work and Play the Aussie Way campaign promotes Working Holiday Maker visas in the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, and the Republic of Korea by showing young travellers the exciting adventures that await them while working and travelling in Australia. ​​

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is also promoting an international student recruitment campaign. ​​​

Source: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/AlexHawke/Pages/australia-welcomes-return-of-international-students-and-backpackers.aspx

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