Huge influx of people on working holiday visas sends migration figures soaring

One group has sent immigration figures soaring with doubts cast over whether the government can reduce numbers to pre-pandemic levels.

Australia has become the world mecca for working tourists with more than 200,000 flocking to the Lucky Country last year.

There were 213,000 people on working holiday visas in Australia at the end of November, 43,000 more than last Christmas.

A whopping 50,000 of these came from the UK after restrictions on working holiday visas were relaxed.

This figure is up from 31,000 and 21,000 in the previous two years.

More than 50,000 young people fled Britain last year to make a new life in Australia on working hoilday visas (Getty).

The higher numbers come as the cut off age for British travellers was raised from 30 to 35 last year with farm work no longer required to extend their stay.

Those on working holiday visas from the UK can stay for three years but many vow to try and stay long-term after discovering they are paid more.

Alongside the huge influx of Brits there were 23,700 working holiday-makers from France, 21,8000 from Ireland, 14,800 from Japan, 13,400 from Taiwan, 13,200 from Italy and 12,700 from South Korea.

Labor has promised to reduce net overseas migration as Australia continues to suffer a housing crisis, with rental prices now unaffordable in many inner city neighbourhoods.

Earlier this year budget papers showed net migration will more than halve from 528,000 to 260,000 between 2022-23 and 2024-25.

However these latest figures suggest that Anthony Albanese might have difficulty reaching his targets as Australia remains an attractive option for migrants.

Search for a better life

Nurse Emily Brady, 25, and her partner Harry Bridges, 29, moved from the UK to Kalgoorlie in August.

Ms Brady, who previously worked on a paediatric oncology ward in Wales, told The Times she now earned three times her old salary.

Many young people fall in love with the Australian lifestyle. (Getty)

“While I loved the job, it was very underfunded, very short staffed and you could work as many hours as you wanted but you weren’t really given any recognition of that,” she said.

“And I felt like it was just always an uphill battle. It was just really exhausting. So I wanted to try nursing in Australia where it was meant to be one of the best places in the world for nursing.”

Ms Brady says the conditions and pay are far better in Australia than she experienced back home.

The couple have enjoyed their experience so much that they now intent to stay and raise a family here.

Another couple who recently made the move from the UK are content creator Kody Egan, and her partner Joseph Horrocks.

The couple, who are both 27, moved from Atherton, in north-west England, to the Sunshine Coast in August.

Although they planned to only stay in Australia a short time they now want to be here permanently.

Kody Egan moved to Australia in August with her partner, Joseph Horrocks.

“We wanted a new challenge and to try something new after coming for a month of travelling the year before,” Ms Egan told Daily Mail.

“We saved up and made the plunge - mostly to experience more of an outdoor lifestyle including the beach, surfing, hiking and all the amazing nature.

“It’s a big change and we’d recommend doing what we did and come for a holiday first.

“We had no intention of living here at first, but wanted to after experiencing the people and the lifestyle! We’re so grateful for the Aussies, they’re great.”

Originally published as Huge influx of people on working holiday visas sends migration figures soaring