New deal for Polish working swap-over
A new visa arrangement means young people from Australia and Poland will soon be able to work and holiday in each other's countries.
An agreement was signed during a ceremony in Warsaw over the weekend, to enable up to 200 young adults from Poland and up to 200 young adults from Australia to holiday in each other's country, during which time they may engage in short-term work and study.
The work and holiday visa differs from a working holiday visa in a number of key requirements.
Applicants must have the support of their government, hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications and be able to speak “functional English”.
“Over the coming months, both Australia and Poland will work closely together to implement the necessary legal and administrative processes to bring this visa into effect,” Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Michaelia Cash said this week.
The deal means Poland will join a number of countries that have signed reciprocal work and holiday arrangements with Australia, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Turkey, the United States and Uruguay.