Despite the global recession, the Australian working holiday program has noted a significant growth in the past decade, being the only sector of the Australian tourism industry with positive results. However, it is feared that the program might be the next target of the Australian government after it reduced the number of temporary Australian visa holders coming to the country through the 457 scheme.

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) announced that the program is the crucial part of the Australian tourism industry during the recession, as it provides the smaller businesses with a constant stream of income.

The Australian Visa Bureau representative, Amanda Gripske, said that in spite of the recession more young people decide to travel to Australia on an Australian working holiday visa to enjoy great weather as they struggle to find work in the UK. Gripske said that “the recession in the UK and Ireland has given young people the opportunity to take twelve months off while they ride out the storm, and it's exciting to see that the numbers of Australian working holiday visa grants continue to soar in 2009.”

In his letter to the ATEC, the Immigration Minister Chris Evans said that the “recognises the important contribution of working holidaymaker visa holders to the tourism industry, as well as industries needing short term casual labour.” While the minister has recognized the benefits of reducing the Australian skilled migration and temporary 457 visa schemes during the recession, he recognises its value in terms of keeping the program open to young travellers.

The Australian working holiday visa allows travellers aged 18-30 to stay and work in the country for twelve months. The visa holders can work for any employer for up to six months and can apply for another working holiday visa if they work in regional Australia for at least three months.