EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Migration Regulations 1994
WORKING HOLIDAY VISA – DEFINITIONS OF
‘SPECIFIED WORK’ AND ‘REGIONAL AUSTRALIA’
(SUBITEM 1225(5))
- This Instrument is made under subitem 1225(5) of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’).
2. Subitem 1225(5) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations relevantly provides the definitions of specified work and regional Australia for the purpose of eligibility for a second Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa. Applicants for a second Working Holiday visa must demonstrate they have carried out specified work in regional Australia for at least 3 months as the holder of a first Working Holiday visa.
3. The purpose of the Instrument is to provide the definitions of regional Australia and specified work, to encourage people on Working Holiday visas to live and work in regional Australia and support identified industries. Following 1 July 2008, holders of a Working Holiday visa who have completed three months of specified work in a defined regional area may be eligible for a further Working Holiday visa. This change expands the scope of specified work to include work in the construction industry. This change is intended to encourage Working Holiday visa holders to undertake casual work in the identified industries, which have critical labour shortages.
4. The Instrument operates to specify the postcodes of the areas that are regional Australia; and, in accordance with amending regulations, amend the definition of seasonal work to specified work.
5. Consultation was undertaken before the instrument was made as follows: the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, the Housing Industry Association, the Master Builders Association and the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union.
6. The Instrument, IMMI 08/048, commences on 1 July 2008.