Australian Work Visas Available October 31

It's official: beginning October 31, US backpackers will at long last be able to work in Australia, and Aussie backpackers will get a somewhat similar opportunity for work visas in the United States. Australian work visas for US backpackers, called Work and Holiday visas, became a done deal during the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Sydney attended by President Bush.

The agreement will allow American students and recent graduates 18-30 years old to spend one year traveling and working in Australia, working for one employer for up to six months. An official release from the Australian government reads that in addition to the money brought "by these cashed up travellers," small Australian businesses will get help meeting seasonal labor shortages. Unlimited availability of Working Holiday Maker visas means Australia's "Harvest Trail" will soon be packed with US backpackers toiling in fields -- if you want to be one of them, get ready to apply:

• What's a Working Holiday Maker visa?

Related:

• Student Travel in Australia
• Australia Road Trips
  • Buying Backpacker Cars and Driving in Australia
  • The Great Ocean Road
  • Mallacoota
• Australia Hostels
  • Cool Melbourne Hostel
  • Top Sydney Hostels
  • Brisbane Hostels (including our pick for Best Hostel 2006)
  • Cool Blue Mountains Hostel

Similar stuff: Don't Call 'em Backpackers, Mate | Driving Down Under | Melbourne Street Photos | Tiger Air Bringing New Budget Air to Australia | Australian Backpacker's Work Visa Coming?

Photo © Kathleen Crislip