Government cracks down on WHV applications

A government crackdown on fraudulent second-year working holiday visa applications has resulted in rising numbers of backpackers withdrawing their applications, according to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).  

DIAC director of working holiday section Deirdre Russack told delegates at the Adventure and Backpacker Industry Conference (ABiC) an Irish backpacker had his visa cancelled after he was found to have submitted a fraudulent application. He bought the visa documentation in a pub for $500, was fined $1,400 and had his visa cancelled.

Russack told Thumbrella that, since the crackdown on fraudulent applications, ”we’ve been having more of them withdrawn”. She refused to comment on industry rumours that up to half of all second year working holiday visa applications are fraudulent.

Meanwhile, Russack told ABiC delegates Australians travelling overseas on working holidays can assist in expanding the number of visas granted to international visitors.

“If we had more Australians going overseas for working holidays then the government would feel comfortable increasing the number of arrangements we have,” she said.

By Alice Terlikowski  ·  November 11th, 2009 at 11:08 am

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Comments


  1. Peter
    12 Nov 09
    12:55 pm

    2. It’s odd that DIAC is taking a stern policing approach to the second year visa, obviously they must as the law is the law, but after hearing universal endorsement of the WHV Scheme, it’s benefits both economically and cultrural to Australia’s bottome lime, at the ABIC conference from various speakers including Diedre Russack from DIAC, then you could safely assume that the uptake of the 2nd year visa would only compound the benefits to Australia and as such shouldn’t we be asking ‘WHY are backpackers needing to commit fraud to obtain a 2nd year visa?”………..A heavy handed, ham fisted approach can’t be the answer. Liberalisation of the 2nd year visa is the only way forward, it can’t be wound back now.
    Cheers,
    Peter Burke

    PS I can’t stand the way visitors to Australia are treated at Sydney Airport.The demeanour and attitude of some of those people in uniforms is not unlike a boofhead bouncer at a nightclub. Border Security Ch7……”Sir, is that a banana in your pocket? Step away from the banana please and put your hands against the wall.”

  2. Tony
    12 Nov 09
    7:48 pm

    3. Agree with the comments.
    The focus seems to be on the rules and not the reason for them.
    We compete with other destinations for WHV travellers and need to be encouraging these people to come and stay and spend in Australia.

    When I went to the UK many moons ago (97 to be exact I had a 2 year WHV on landing.)
    Australia is a big big place, a 2 year WHV straight up makes some sense.
    The option for extension on a 3rd year would help reduce the need for trying to work around the system.

    Still though, organised frauding of the system can’t be tolerated.

    The benefits of WHV tourists to the economy in general are well known within the industry and some government bodies, but still the industry seems to struggle for understanding of its very nature and benefits.

    Still it seems in some places “If it isnt 3.5 star or better it isnt taken seriously”

  3. Andrew J Smith
    12 Nov 09
    9:39 pm

    4. You forget politics and attitudes to foreigners (like I feel when entering Australia, over the top authoritarianism) has dragged WHV makers into the vortex.

    There have been reports of rapid population growth, record ever, population of cities will double etc. etc. (personally think this was more the property indsutry to mainatin prices and encourage new entrants to a Ponzi scheme?).

    This has been used along with underemployment, environment, and good old “white Australian” attitudes to lower number of entrants to Australia, and appeared to have been accepted by all Australians?

    Of course the population figures include temporary workers, international students and WHVs……data extrapolated from record high on record rate of increase for 30 years…..joint the dots…

    What has been happening already have been siginificant decreases in international student application/visa approvals, WHVs, 457 temporary workers, tourists and general interest in Australia, well done!!

    With the present debates in Australia, against migration and foreigners, but veiled behind a concern for environment, house prices, employment, education quality, etc. we obviously do not want tourists so Tourism Australia, state and reginal bodies should cease their international promotions?

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