In stark opposition to a number of immigration aspects which have been significantly hampered by the credit crunch, the number of Britons aged 18-30 heading Down Under on Working Holiday Visas soared by 20 per cent in 2008.

Figures released by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship show that a total of 20,851 visas were granted between July and December 2008, compared with 17,327 over the same period in 2007.

Working Holiday Visas allow British citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 to live and work in Australia for an initial period of on year, which can be extended by a further year, provided they meet certain criteria.

Tourism Australia has attributed the rise in Working Holiday Visa applications to a recent advertising campaign promoting jobs such as fruit-picking or pint-pouring in the urban areas of Sydney and Melbourne as well as various outback locations.

However, it is also presumed that the current dire economic situation in the UK has been a significant factor influencing young people to flee the shores of Britain, which remains in the midst of a recession.

Despite the sharp increase in Working Holiday Visa applications, net migration to Australia is still expected to slow down for the foreseeable future.