Almost 40,000 Indians apply for the 1,000 available slots in Australia's Working Holiday Maker visa program.

Australian Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite announced Monday, October 14, that around 40,000 Indians have applied for 1,000 slots under Australia's new visa program in just two weeks, according to news agency PTI. “The great thing about the Working Holiday Maker visa is that there are no restrictions on the jobs you can do. Till now, 40,000 applications have been received for the 1,000 visa spots,” stated Thistlethwaite, according to the agency report. Indians between the ages of 18 and 30 are permitted to live, study, and work in Australia for a maximum of 12 months under the new Working Holiday Maker visa scheme. According to the agency, Thistlethwaite stated during the program's launch event that the new initiative seeks to improve relations between the two nations. The poll process for visas began on October 1 and will close at the end of the month. Successful applicants will then be chosen at random. According to the report, the assistant minister stated that those chosen might start their stay in Australia early next year. According to Thistlethwaite, the Working Holiday Maker visa gives young Indians the chance to experience Australian culture firsthand and obtain job experience in a variety of industries. According to the survey, a large number of applicants are anticipated to work in agriculture and hospitality. Additionally, he said that hey will be able to take short classes or work on their English. The visa effort, according to the assistant minister, illustrates the close and developing relationship between Australia and India. "There are almost a million Indian-born people in Australia," he stated. “The (Australian) Prime Minister used his experience and friendship with the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to ensure improved and increased opportunities for young people from both communities to experience each other's cultures,” said Thistlethwaite.

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