Young Australians will be able to live and work in the UK longer and take advantage of a special visa up to the age of 35 under eased rules agreed between the two nations.
The free trade deal between Australia and the UK has come into effect, with the full migration benefits to kick in next year.
The age limit for people wanting to apply for working holidays in the UK has been raised by five years to 35 under the Youth Mobility Scheme.
They will also be able to extend their working visa for a third year if they choose.
Brits wanting to come to Australia on a working holiday visa will likewise see the same increase in the eligible age range, and the same extension for the duration of the program.
Trade Minister Don Farrell said the reciprocal migration changes reflected the government’s commitment to easing cost of living pressures.
“The Australia-UK free trade agreement will not only deliver significant benefits to Australia’s economy and strengthen an already close relationship with the UK, but also increase opportunities for young Australians and UK citizens to live and work in each country,” he said.
“The new arrangements will complement medium and longer-term efforts to address domestic skill deficits through education, training and sectoral reform in Australia.”
In a statement, the Law Council of Australia said the agreement was “particularly significant” for both the Australian and UK legal professions, as it establishes a Legal Services Regulatory Dialogue.
“The dialogue will provide an important opportunity to consider contemporary approaches to enhance legal services trade and professional mobility of lawyers, which is presently hindered by limited recognition of professional qualifications,” president Luke Murphy said.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said the UK trade deal was one of the last two to be signed under the previous coalition government.
“This is a good deal and a great opportunity for Australia to surge back in having the UK as one of our larger trading partners,” he told Sky News.
The UK is Australia’s 12th largest trading partner, with two-way goods trade worth $10 billion in 2022, and two-way services trade worth $4.4 billion in the 2021/22 financial year.
Tess Ikonomou
(Australian Associated Press)
