Backpackers can work longer at one job
May 3, 2006 - 2:20PM

Thousands of backpackers holidaying in Australia can now work twice as long in a job under changes to the federal government's Working Holiday Maker Scheme.

There are 19 countries in the scheme and the new arrangements - which come into effect in July - increase the maximum time a working holiday visa holder can stay in one job from three months to six months.

Australian Tourism Export Council managing director Matthew Hingerty said the changes would make the nation more attractive to backpackers.

He said the change would also help employers, particularly in the hospitality industry, which face a chronic shortage of workers, especially in seasonal locations.

"The previous restrictions meant not only were backpackers required to move on after three months, but employers were unable to retain quality workers who were generally well-educated and highly skilled," Mr Hingerty said.

"In addition, the training and administrative obligations on employers in taking on new employees had been making it increasingly uneconomical for them to employ people who were only able to stay three months."

Mr Hingerty said the changes complement the recent decision to extend the working holiday visa from one year to two years for people who spend at least three months in harvest work.

He said Australia was a popular destination for backpackers and numbers were up, but concerning trends showed the amount of time and money backpackers spent in Australia had decreased.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Bac ... 85706.html