The current government has long lauded the working holiday visa program as a cornerstone to alleviate skill shortages in regional areas and promote cultural exchange.

From 1 July, Greece will be the 43rd nation to sign up to the program according to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs’s latest media release. There will be up to 500 places for Greek nationals per year. They will be required to have functional English and hold or be studying towards a tertiary qualification, which if other countries in the Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday visas are to go by, will require satisfactorily completed at least two years of undergraduate university study.

It is not known at this stage, whether evidence of government support is also required.

Once in Australia, Greeks will be able to utilise the second and soon to be third work and holiday visa option provide they undertake specified regional work and meet all other requirements.