Longer visa stays for young Australians, Brits part of UK, Aus trade talks
Australians under 30 will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for longer, under visa changes mooted as part of a trade deal.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Young Australians will be able to live and work in Britain for more than two years, under visa changes being considered as part of a trade deal between the two nations.
As part of the agreement, Britons will be able to work and holiday longer in Australia.
Professionals, such as lawyers or accountants, will also be able to live and work more freely between the two countries, with both sides seeking to have greater recognition of professional qualifications.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham is aiming to secure a post-Brexit free-trade deal with Britain by the end of the year.
“First and foremost, this is a trade deal, and our No 1 priority will be to improve market access and boost export opportunities for Australian farmers, businesses and investors,” South Australia’s Senator Birmingham said.
“We already have strong people-to-people links.
“Where there are opportunities for more flexibility around work rights and the movement of people, particularly youth, we are open to exploring them.
“There also appears to be ambition on both sides to increase the mutual recognition of qualifications and standards to make it easier for skilled professionals to work in each other’s countries.”
Australians aged 18 to 30 can currently apply to live and work in the UK for up to two years under the Youth Mobility Scheme.
Britons aged under 30 can stay in Australia for up to three years under an extended working holiday visa, if they do six months of “specified” regional work, such as fruit picking.
British media also reported this week that longer stays were on the table as part of the free-trade deal.
But freedom of movement between the two countries, such as Australia has with New Zealand, has repeatedly been ruled out by the Federal Government since last year.
Former high commissioner to the UK, Adelaide’s Alexander Downer, in June told The Advertiser that easier access for professionals, academics and young people was likely to be part of the negotiations.
“We’re not likely to agree to (full freedom of movement) because there are 66 million people in the UK and we couldn’t realistically say we’ll just open Australia’s borders to 66 million people,” Mr Downer said.
Senator Birmingham, who becomes Finance Minister next week, will aim to finalise free-trade deals with Britain and the European Union before he leaves the trade portfolio in a ministerial reshuffle expected in December.