Trade Minister Don Farrell describes UK trade deal as a major win for young Australians

Australia’s free trade agreement with the UK takes effect, with Trade Minister Don Farrell calling it a ‘boon for young people.’

Australians could previously apply to work in the UK only for two years and needed to be under the age of 30.

Australia’s free trade agreement with the UK has officially come into force, in what Trade Minister Don Farrell has called a “boon for young people”.

The deal will reduce tariffs on Australian products – including beef and wine – and significantly boost the mobility of younger workers through an expansion of working holiday visas.

Australians could previously apply to work in the UK only for two years and needed to be under the age of 30, but that eligibility has now risen to 35 years old, while the length of the maximum stay has increased to three years.

“Australians will benefit from new skilled visa pathways to the UK, providing more direct channels for aspiring young Australians to live and work in London, which has the world’s highest concentration of financial and professional services firms, before returning home to apply these skills in Australia,” Mr Farrell wrote for The Australian online. “Our free trade agreement with the United Kingdom, which enters into force today, is so vital. It will help grow our domestic industries and homegrown manufacturing capabilities, delivering benefits to Australian businesses, and creating new ell-paying jobs. This new trade agreement will open new export opportunities, promote greater investment into Australia and help diversify our trade relationship.”

Secretary of State for International Trade of United Kingdom Anne-Marie Trevelyan with Minister for Trade Senator Don Farrell.

Mr Farrell said one of the key drivers behind the deal for Australia was the urgent need to ­diversify exports.

China slapped soaring tariffs on Australian products such as beef, barley and wine, forcing exporters to scramble for new markets. While Beijing agreed to undertake an “expedited review” of its tariffs on Australian barley over the next three to four months, it has not indicated it will move on its other sanctions.

At a meeting with the UK High Commissioner Vicki Treadell, in Canberra on Tuesday, Mr Farrell said he was looking forward to buying products such as the British-made Pontefract cakes, his childhood favourite, duty-free.

Ms Treadell had pushed the prospect of the free trade agreement on his “first day” in the job, he said. “It’s a boon for young Australians in particular, but all of Australia will benefit from our ability to increase exports,” Mr Farrell said.

Ms Treadell presented Mr Farrell with Penguin chocolate and a bottle of Hattingley Valley wine at their meeting on Tuesday, while he showed off the hamper he would send to his counterpart Anne-Marie Trevelyan that included Vegemite, Tim-Tams and kangaroo jerky.

The agreement includes a clause to ensure First Nations artists receive royalties when their original works of art are resold in the UK.