Work and Holiday Visa clarification

Letter to the Editor - Sydney Morning Herald
13 January 2004

Dear Sir/Madam

Mike Seccombe's article (Special visa created just for well-off from Iran, 12 January) requires clarification.

It is manifestly wrong to assert that visa holders in the Work and Holiday Visa (WHV) Scheme are guest workers, particularly as the category is restricted to tertiary qualified applicants. Australia does not have guest worker visa arrangements with any country, nor is it considering entering into any such an arrangement.

The WHV arrangement between Australia and Iran is part of a series of initiatives agreed to by both countries to promote the legal and mutually beneficial movement of people between the two nations. Australia has received a regular stream of Iranian visitors and temporary entrants over the years and this new visa category is another facility to promote the legal movement of people from Iran.

While Iran was the first country to sign a WHV arrangement with Australia, negotiations are underway with another country.

Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA