Unlocking Australia's Alpine Resorts for Working Holiday Makers: A New Frontier for Visa Extensions

Portuguese tourists Inês Carvalhido and Rúben Vasques embarked on their Australian adventure a year ago, leveraging the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa to explore the east coast while engaging in various jobs and volunteer work. Their journey took a wintery turn as they considered employment at a ski resort, attracted by the unique experience and provided accommodation. However, they faced a setback: their work at Falls Creek wouldn't count towards the 88 days of regional work required for a visa extension, as the resort isn't classified as remote.

The Current WHM Program Landscape

Australia's WHM program mandates non-UK holiday-makers to complete 88 days of work in regional areas, typically in sectors like farming or construction. While tourism and hospitality roles qualify, they're restricted to businesses in "northern or remote or very remote Australia", leaving alpine resorts like Falls Creek out of the equation.

"I don't really get how working in the ski fields don't really count — they are also far away from big centres," Ms Carvalhido said.

Advocacy for Change

Michelle Lovell, president of the Falls Creek Chamber of Commerce, is championing the inclusion of ski resorts in the WHM scheme. Highlighting the seasonal nature of alpine work, she argues it aligns perfectly with the program's objectives.

"Within the ski industry it's not just hospitality work and ski lift operators … there's a lot of housekeeping jobs, administration, a need for heavy vehicle drivers for our freight and to also help with village shuttles," Ms Lovell said.

The UK Advantage and Growing Visa Demand

Recent visa changes have made it easier for businesses to employ UK travelers, with 194,000 WHM visas granted in 2023-'24, a number that's already been surpassed in the current financial year. The Department of Home Affairs is evaluating regional migration settings to ensure they support development without exploiting migrant workers.

Key Takeaways:

• Alpine resorts seek inclusion in the WHM scheme to address labor shortages and offer unique work experiences.
• Seasonal alpine jobs span beyond hospitality, including roles in administration and logistics.
• Visa application numbers are rising, reflecting the growing appeal of Australia's WHM program.