Fair Work Ombudsman to Review Entitlements of Overseas Visa-Holders on Working Holidays

The Fair Work Ombudsman has announced it will conduct a review of the wages and conditions of overseas workers in Australia on the 417 Working Holiday Visa, a temporary visa issued by the Department of Immigration to young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to two years. To be eligible to apply for a second year, 417 visa holders must undertake 88 days of specified work in a designated regional area and in certain industries in their first year. Recent allegations have been raised with the Fair Work Ombudsman that the 88-day requirement is being exploited by operators to attract free labour.