Australian politicians are capitalising on Brexit fears by attempting to entice young Britons Down Under with new visas.
Backpackers will now be able to work in Australia up to the age of 35, with the country today boasting it provides the highest post-tax wages of any working visa scheme in the world.
Steven Ciobo, the Australian minister for trade, tourism and investment, today set out his stall on a pop-up sandy beach with model and Made In Chelsea star Lucy Watson to tempt weary commuters to head for work in the sun. The 25-year-old Londoner and social media star regularly shares images of her travels to Australia with her 1.3 million Instagram followers and will spearhead the three-year campaign.
Mr Ciobo said: “With more than half of Britain’s 18 to 25-year-olds saying they would consider a temporary move abroad to travel or work post-Brexit, and Australia their most preferred place to do that outside of Europe, the appeal of a working holiday Down Under has arguably never been stronger.”
The bold play for British workers comes as a survey shows half of 18 to 24-year-olds say they are now considering a temporary move abroad following Britain’s decision in June to leave the European Union.
More than half — 58 per cent — do not think Brexit will have a positive impact on the UK and 55 per cent say they had not considered a move abroad before Brexit, according to the survey by Research Without Borders.
Australia’s decision to up its age limit for its working visa to 35 from 30 sets it apart from Canada and New Zealand, which have an age limit of 30. The visa will also be 50 Australian dollars cheaper from January 1 next year and the tax rate will be set at 19 per cent on earnings up to $37,000.
