Taiwanese achieve their dreams on Australia’s Working Holiday Maker scheme
Three young Taiwanese share their stories at the Taipei International Book Exhibition on 2 February
Best friends Elaine Chen and Vicky Yu spent two years studying, working and travelling in Australia, a sky-diving, fruit-picking, koala-caring adventure chronicled in their video ‘let the world change you, and you can change the world’. And ‘Neo’ (aka Wang Chun-kang) worked in over ten different jobs in Australia, before embarking on an epic solo cycling trek from Adelaide to Brisbane, a 3,000km journey he shared in his book ‘Jump Backpacker’.
Elaine, Vicky and Neo join the growing number of young Taiwanese travelling to Australia under the popular Working Holiday Maker scheme. Australia is the number one destination for Taiwanese heading overseas on Working Holiday Maker schemes; over 22,000 Taiwanese visited Australia under the scheme last year, an increase of 60 per cent.
“The reciprocal scheme is designed to facilitate greater intercultural awareness, and enables young Taiwanese to travel and study around Australia while doing some work to help fund their travels,” explained Australian Representative Kevin Magee. “Australia is an exciting, friendly country that embraces multiculturalism and welcomes foreign travellers. It is no wonder that last year we had a 78 per cent increase in Taiwanese applying to extend their stay by a further year.”
Australia’s Working Holiday Maker scheme is open to Taiwan passport holders between the ages of 18 to 30. Applicants granted a Working Holiday visa can travel to Australia for twelve months, and during their stay they can study for up to four months and work for up to six months with an employer. Australia does not apply quotas on the number of Taiwanese Working Holiday makers. Applicants can apply online at: http://www.hongkong.china.embassy.gov.au/hkng/Visas_and_Migration.html
Taiwanese Working Holiday makers are entitled to receive the same pay and conditions as Australian residents and citizens, mandated under the Fair Work Act 2009. The Fair Work Ombudsman can investigate any work-related pay issues free of charge. Employers and workers seeking assistance can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or contact the Fair Work Infoline on +61 13 13 94. A free interpreter service is available on +61 13 14 50.
Elaine & Vicky, and Neo will speak about their experiences at the Taipei International Book Fair on 2 February. For details see http://www.austrade.gov.au/Local-Sites/Taiwan/News-and-Events/