Australia Extends Visa.

Australia was discovered by Captain Cook in the 18th Century. After that, poor old Captain Cook was murdered by Native Hawaiians. Australia became a land for shipping British prisoners. Penal colonies run by the British Empire became the norm. No doubt, Native Australians looked on with curiosity as white-skinned men and women poured ashore. Later, many prisoners both men and women gained their freedom and settled the land. Their children were the first European Australians. And so, the process began, of Australia becoming a nation. Gaining its independence from the UK in the early 20th Century.

Australia is mainly made up of European descendants though, of course, many others of non-European descent reside there too. Australia is still a member of the British Commonwealth with the UK Monarch as Head of State. However, the day may come, when Australia like Jamaica (another Commonwealth nation where the British Monarch is Head of State) may become a Republic. Years ago, Brits, could travel to Australia for 10 Pounds. Long gone are those days. Getting into Australia these days is tough. If you wish to live and work there and perhaps put down roots. Australia has the reputation of being a no-nonsense country when it comes to who it accepts and doesn't. Australia has a points system which you must get over if you want to live and work there.

Australia had a migrant problem just as we in the UK do now. However, Australia dealt with the problem bluntly. The Australian Navy was deployed to deter these would-be migrants. And largely, this policy whatever you think about it seems to have worked. Australia made an agreement with PNG (Papua New Guinea) to house migrants. Yes, they were held in camps administered by Australian and PNG guards. Many migrants did gain their freedom and were able to start a new life in PNG.

Australia remains an attractive country to visit and live and work in. Australia basks in 2,800 hours of sunlight. It has a higher minimum wage than the United Kingdom. The unemployment rate remains low and it has been so for 50 years.

Today is the 1st of July, and Australia has extended its working holiday visa age limit. The long-awaited amendment has been to some, long overdue. Now it is in force and will offer 18 - 35-year olds the chance to live and work in the land 'down under'. The upper limit on this visa was for 18 - 30- year olds. Now it has been extended to 35 thus upping the age limit on the visa.

The visa act came into being in 1975. This is the first time a change has been made to the visa since that time. Under the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement or UKFTA Britons can live and work in the country for up to 3 years.

Doubtless, given the state of the UK right now, many people are thinking of moving abroad. The above offer is expected to be taken up by younger people. 43% of young people in line with the first sentence in this paragraph are considering leaving the UK. Possibly temporarily or forever and who can blame them?

Australia militarily could be classed as a regional power. Australia, the UK, and the US, recently signed an agreement to aid each other militarily called AUKUS. It has been set up to counter the growing Chinese military adventurism in the South China Sea and South Pacific. Australia has ramped up its military spending to counter the Chinese. Australia will have a fleet of nuclear subs, also.

So all in all, it seems Australia is the place to be. And sure enough many younger Brits may be Australia bound very soon.

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