1. Participants from the Republic of Korea in the Working Holiday Program in Australia will no longer face the inconvenience of having to visit their homeland or a third country to obtain a visa for a language course or vocational training in Australia; and those in the ROK applying for such language and vocational training programs will undergo an eased visa screening process, both of which are expected to help a larger number of ROK youth enter and seek employment in the country.

2. In its media release dated February 15, Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced that the assessment level for ROK in student visa subclasses 570 (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) and 572 (Vocational Education and Training) will be raised to Level 1 from the previous Level 2 as of March 24.

° With the upgrade, the ROK will be an Assessment Level 1 country in all the six student visa subclasses.

3. Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship is seen to have made the aforementioned decision in full consideration of the ROK government’s efforts toward further friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries and sound development of the Working Holiday Program; and good adjustment of the Program participants, contributing to the friendship between the two countries.

° Starting from March 24, the Program participants from the ROK staying in Australia can apply for their student visa (including those in the subclasses of 570 and 572) online with less documentary evidence for financial capacity and without leaving the country.

4. The ROK government intends to continue making every effort to help its youth seek their presence and employment in Australia and other foreign countries.

                                  Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation