Young Australians will more easily be able to holiday, work and study in Greece with reciprocal Work and Holiday arrangements set to commence on 1 July 2019.

Five hundred places each will be available annually for young Australians and Greeks to visit each other’s country for up to twelve months.

“Australian Government is committed to the working holiday program which provides regional areas and farmers with access to more workers”.

“Australia enjoys a great friendship with Greece and there has been much interest from Greece in participating in the Work and Holiday visa program. This announcement will provide more opportunities for work and cultural exchange between our nations.”

While on their first visa, Greek nationals may undertake specified work in regional areas to become eligible for a second Work and Holiday visa and extend their stay.

The option of a third year stay will also be available to them if they undertake six months of regional work in their second year in Australia.

The Work and Holiday visa requires first-time Greek applicants to hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications and to have a functional level of English.

The commencement of the arrangement with Greece will take the number of countries participating in the Working Holiday Maker program to 43.