Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced today that the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (“A-UKFTA”) will take effect on 31 May 2023.

In summary, the A-UKFTA will relax trade and visa arrangements between the two countries, making it easier for Australians to live and work in the United Kingdom and vice versa.

Key Changes

The Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa program will remain largely the same except for the following key changes:

• Raising the age limit from 30 to 35 years

• Increasing the stay period from 2 years to 3 years

• Removing the requirement for working holidaymakers to work in ‘specified work’, also known as working in a regional area of Australia, to obtain a second or third Working Holiday visa

When Do The Changes Take Effect?

Although the A-UKFTA itself will take effect on 31 May 2023, it is unclear when the above key changes relevant to UK nationals visiting Australia, will become available. At this stage, the Prime Minister’s media release has stated that they will be in effect within the next 2 years and we are waiting for further information to be issued.

This means that the current requirements to obtain a first, second or third Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa are still in place until further legislative changes are in force.

Contact us for more information on the changes to the Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa program.