News from the Minister of Immigration and Border Protection:

On 3 September 2014, a new visa Accord on a Youth Mobility Programme was signed with Spain, establishing a reciprocal Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) arrangement between our two countries.

Spain joins Greece ​as Australia’s newest Work and Holiday partner country. The Work and Holiday arrangement with Spain will not come in to effect until a start date has been agreed. The signing of a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement between Australia and Spain will give young people from both countries a unique opportunity to experience the vibrancy of each other’s culture, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon Scott Morrison and Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said on Wednesday, 03 September 2014.

The arrangement, signed at Parliament House on Wednesday, means young people from Australia and Spain will have the opportunity to experience short-term work and study arrangements in each other’s country. Minister Morrison said the agreement will facilitate cultural exchange between the two countries, both in terms of the once–in–a–lifetime experience for the individuals involved, and in terms of the insights they will bring back to their home countries. ‘The reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement fosters people–to–people links between the two countries, bolstering our already close and positive relationship,’ Minister Morrison said.

Minister Cash said the agreement will enable up to 500 young adults from Spain and 500 young adults from Australia to enjoy a holiday in each other’s country, during which they may engage in short-term work and study. ‘This agreement is a testament to the constructive relationship between Spain and Australia, to the benefit of young adults seeking a unique cultural experience,’ Minister Cash said. The work and holiday visa differs from a working holiday visa as it requires applicants to have the support of their government, hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications, and to speak functional English.