As many are aware, and eagerly awaiting, there are changes coming to the WHV program for UK citizens in Australia.  The changes include lifting the WHV age to 35 and removing the need to do regional employment in order to obtain a 2nd and 3rd year visa.

This is as a result of a Free Trade Agreement between the countries which was signed on 17 December 2021.  Both Countries agreed that these changes to the program should be implemented within a two year period.  So at the latest the changes should be in place by 17 December this year.

The Australian government has already ratified the necessary legislative changes and the UK changes are awaited.  The legislation has had its final reading in the UK and should be passed in the month of April.  

Our expectation is that the new arrangements will be in place before 1 July 2023.