今天（2018年11月5日）澳洲政府内政部官网发文，宣布针对背包客和打工度假签证规则的重大更新。

更新要点包括：

一、从2018年11月5日开始，扩大462签证可以集二签的区域范围，目前只能在澳洲北部集二签（具体扩大范围下文有说明）；

二、从2018年11月5日开始，417和462的签证持有者可以为同一个农业雇主的工作时限由6个月提高到12个月（注意是农业雇主）；

三、从2019年7月1日开始，如果417和462二签持有者从事6个月在特定地区的特定农业类工作，将可以继续申请第三年的签证，也就是三签；

四、部分462签证国家的名额上限将会提高，具体提高数额将在接下来几周陆续公布；

五、加拿大和爱尔兰的WHV签证（417）年龄限制将提高到35岁（其他国家预计会逐步加入到这个名单里，不知道中国会在多久之后进入这个名单）；

目前来看，这些变化对中国WHVer的部分变更将最快从今天（2018.11.05）开始实施（比如同一雇主工作时间限制、集二签地区限制等），部分变更将从2019年7月1日后开始实施（如开放三签申请）。

链接：

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/News/Pages/changes-working-holiday-maker-visa.aspx

以下为原文：

Changes to the WHM visa program include:

• From 5 November 2018, expanding the regional areas where subclass 462-visa holders can work in agriculture (plant and animal cultivation) to qualify for a second year of stay in Australia. Currently only those who work in Northern Australia are eligible.

• From 5 November 2018, increasing the period in which subclass 417 and 462 visa holders can stay with the same agricultural (plant and animal cultivation) employer, from 6 to 12 months.

• The option of a third-year for subclass 417 and 462 visa holders who, after 1 July 2019, undertake 6-months of specified work in a specified regional area during their second year.

• Over the coming weeks, offering an increase in the annual caps to a number of countries that participate in the subclass 462 visa program.

• Increase the eligible age for subclass 417 visa applicants from Canada and Ireland to 35.

下面是内政部对这些更改的详细说明，大家可以仔细研读一下：

How will these changes address regional workforce shortages

The key focus is on providing farmers with immediate access to workers in key parts of regional Australia. The changes aim to increase the number of Working Holiday Makers available for seasonal work needs.

Employers will be able to retain trained and experienced employees doing agricultural (plant and animal cultivation) work for up to 12-months, rather than the previous 6-months.

The availability of a third-year visa will attract working holiday makers to work for longer in regional Australia.

What does plant and animal cultivation include

Plant and animal cultivation includes most agricultural work, such as:

• the harvesting and/or packing of fruit and vegetable crops

• pruning and trimming vines and trees

• general maintenance crop work

• cultivating or propagating plants, fungi or their products or parts

• immediate processing of plant products

• maintaining animals for the purpose of selling them or their bodily produce

• immediate processing of animal products including shearing, butchery, packing and tanning

• manufacturing dairy produce from raw material.

What additional parts of regional Australia will be included in the expanded arrangements

From 5 November 2018, this will be extended to regional areas in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, and all of Northern Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania. Details of specific postcodes will be published on the Department’s website shortly.

Are any changes being made to the subclass 462 Northern Australia initiatives

No change is being made to the existing Northern Australia concessions:

• subclass 417 & 462 visa holders can continue to work with one employer in northern Australia for up to 12 months in Aged & Disability Care; Agriculture; Construction; Mining; and Tourism & Hospitality

• subclass 462 visa holders can continue to complete specified work in northern Australia in tourism and hospitality or agriculture, forestry and fishing industries, to become eligible for a second year visa.

How long will subclass 462-visa holders need to work in the additional regional areas to get the second year

Participation in the second-year program is voluntary. Subclass 462-visa holders need to complete a total of three-months (88 calendar days) of specified work to be eligible to apply for their second-year visa. They may combine work completed in any existing specified industry and location with new industries and locations to meet the work requirement.

What types of work completed will count towards third-year eligibility

Specified work for the third-year visa are the same as the eligibility for specified work for the second-year visa.

For more information about applying for a subclass 417 or 462 visa, see Visit and work.