The Australian Embassy in Greece and Greek Consular authorities in Australia are renewing their calls for this year’s participants to their Youth Mobility Program open to 500 citizens aged 18-30 of the two countries.

In a latest post on their social page this week, the Australian Embassy in Athens refers to the testimonial of renowned Greek orchestra conductor, Zoe Zeniodi, on her Australian experience to promote the visa program.

“Zoe has travelled with her job around the world but it’s Australia that she has singled out as her favourite place to be and live! We’re delighted she will be returning in summer 2024 to conduct Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte at one of the world’s most iconic operas, the Sydney Opera House!

“If Zoe’s account of life in Australia whets your appetite to travel down under for longer than a short vacation stay, the Work and Holiday arrangement between Australia and Greece might be just for you!”, an excerpt of the post reads.

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The Work and Holiday visa agreement between the two countries offers 500 places per program year (1 July to 30 June).

Once places have been filled for those 12 months, new applications are lodged again on 1 July.

Greek Consular authorities in Australia have also issued a renewed call for applicants.

“Greece is an incredible place for work and leisure, especially for young people willing to have a first-hand experience of the authenticity of a world class European destination and the many career possibilities this country offers,” a December announcement by the Consulate General in Melbourne, reads.

Greece and Australia had been in the works of a reciprocal visa agreement since 2014, before the wait was over in 2019, with the program starting being implemented on July of that year.

The visa allows young adults until the age of 30 (inclusive) to visit each country respectively and stay for up to a year with the right to work, under time limited and other conditions.

Successful Australian applicants cannot be employed by an employer while in Greece for more than 6 months, unless the appropriate permit is granted and cannot work as an au-pair.

They also have the right to study for up to 4 months in Greece.

“The main purpose of the program is recreation, the work should be appendant to the recreation,” one of the agreement conditions notes.

A fee of €30 is charged for the application.

Greek holders of the visa are entitled to rights of work that helps fund their trip in Australia, as well as the right to study for up to 4 months and travel to and from Australia as many times as they want during their active 12-month visa.

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The Australian fist Work and Holiday visa falls within the specified subclass 462 , under which 3 months of work are required to become eligible for a second Work and Holiday visa.

The cost comes to AU $635.00.

Eligibility criteria and more for Australian applicants can be found here.

Eligibility criteria and more for Greek applicants can be found here.