While it’s pegged as a post-Brexit deal that will make it easier for Britons to pursue employment opportunities in Australia, as well as facilitating cuts on tariffs for imports and exports, some economists and visa experts have doubts about the new UK-Australia trade agreement.
Though it’s only in provisional stages, the imminent trade deal is set to extend the current three-year working-holiday visa for under 30s to under 35s when borders reopen. With the “aim” of making it easier for both Australians and Brits to work in either country, it has sparked excitement over career opportunities overseas.
What do we know so far?
The freshest exclusives and sharpest analysis, curated for your inbox
The UK spent most of last year under stringent travel restrictions, though our freedoms to live and work in EU countries without formalities have been over since Brexit was finalised.
With this in mind, news of a new trade deal that could soften red tape around working in Australia has left many keen and perhaps overly optimistic. You might want to hold off on plans for an easy career move overseas anytime soon.
Though Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian PM Scott Morrison signed the FTA agreement today, the finer details have yet to be decided. And with what we know is already in the pipeline, Dr Peter Holmes, fellow of UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO) at the University of Sussex says the economic benefits are likely to be “negligible”. The relaxation of work visa permits could make little difference, too.
In Wednesday’s announcement, in addition to the under 35s extension, Boris Johnson revealed plans that include lifting requirements to work on a farm for 80 days before being able to pursue other work opportunities in Australia. Free exchange of British “rent-a-poms” — Australian slang for UK workers abroad — and the ability for Australian campaign managers to work more freely in the UK were mentioned, too. And an agricultural visa “with no…