AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Record Number of Backpackers and Gap Year Travellers

Thursday, 26 July 2007

According to the Department of Immigration, Australia granted a record number of visas to Backpackers in 2006 and 2007, with 102,966 visas granted representing an increase of 15% over the previous year.

The increase in the popular Working Holiday Visa was largely driven by almost 30,000 Britons taking advantage of the gap year opportunities that are open to them in Australia.

Gap year travellers and backpackers in Australia on Working Holiday Visas are estimated to contribute approximately £1.1 billion (AUD$2.8 billion) to the Australian economy, and represent a substantial proportion of Australia’s temporary labour force.

Working Holiday experience in Australia may also contribute to the country’s popularity as a migration destination for UK citizens.