Australia-India ECTA Side Letters - Work and Holiday Visas - Australia to India

H.E. Dan Tehan
Former Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment of Australia
Government of Australia

Excellency,

In connection with the signing of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement ("the Agreement") between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of India ("the Parties"), and your letter dated 02 April 2022, which reads:

"In connection with the signing of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement ("the Agreement"), I have the honour to confirm the following understanding shared by the Governments of Australia and India (the "Participants") in relation to "Work and Holiday" visas:

1. The Participants undertake to promote youth mobility and strengthen people-to-people ties for young Australian and Indian citizens who wish to visit Australia or India to broaden their professional and cultural horizons.
2. To this end, Australia will implement a Work and Holiday arrangement for Indian citizens within two years of entry into force of the Agreement. If India implements a similar youth mobility program in the future with any country, it will extend the opportunity to participate in such a program to Australian citizens.
3. Reflecting the understandings in paragraphs 1 and 2, Australia will implement arrangements to grant annually, according to its laws and procedures, up to 1000 multiple entry 'first' "Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visas" for temporary stay for a period of twelve calendar months to Indian citizens who meet the eligibility requirements under Australian legislation who:
   
   1. hold a valid Indian passport;
   2. are outside Australia at the time of application for and grant of the visa;
   3. lodge an online visa application;
   4. pay the Visa Application Charge (VAC);
   5. intend primarily to holiday in Australia for a period of up to twelve (12) calendar months;
   6. are at least eighteen (18) years of age but have not turned thirty-one (31) at the time of application for a visa;
   7. will not be accompanied by dependent children;
   8. hold an onward travel ticket or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket;
   9. possess sufficient funds for personal support for the purposes of work and holiday in Australia, and to depart Australia;
   10. meet health and character requirements as specified by Australian law;
   11. have not previously taken part in Australia's "Work and Holiday" or "Working Holiday" program;
   12. have successfully completed at least two (2) years of post-secondary study; and
   13. have a level of proficiency in English which is assessed as at least functional.
4. Under Australia legislation, holders of a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa are currently permitted to:
   
   1. make their first entry into Australia within twelve (12) months of the date of grant of the visa;
   2. remain in Australia for up to twelve (12) months from the date of first entry;
   3. leave and re-enter Australia as many times as they like during the 12- month stay period;
   4. undertake paid or unpaid employment for the entire duration of their stay in Australia, generally for up to six (6) months with any one employer;
   5. undertake study or training for up to four months (17 weeks); and
   6. undertake prescribed minimum periods of 'specified work' in order to become eligible to apply for a second and third Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
5. Amendments to this understanding may be made at any time and notified in writing through diplomatic channels. The date of effect of any such amendment will be stipulated in the diplomatic correspondence.
6. If required, the Participants will meet to review the operation of this understanding. As part of this review, the Participants will consider amendments to allow for a reciprocal Work and Holiday arrangement.

I have the further honour of proposing that this letter, and your letter in reply confirming that your Government shares these understandings. I look forward to your letter in reply confirming that your Government shares this understanding."

I have the honour to confirm that my Government shares these understandings. Sincerely yours,

Piyush Goyal
Minister of Commerce and Industry
Government of India