In 2008 record numbers of school-leavers deferred their university place for 12 months, with 33,717[1] students preferring to take a gap year rather than hit the books.

As A Level results loom and the financial crisis continues, Tourism Australia is encouraging young Brits to bridge the gap with a Working Holiday Visa by highlighting the benefits to combine work and play.

An Australian Working Holiday Visa allows 18-30 year olds the opportunity to combine 12 months travelling in Australia with incidental work, making those holiday funds go further and giving �gappers� the opportunity to live the Aussie lifestyle.

A recent study published by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship[2] (DIAC) found the principal reasons for applying for the visa were travelling around Australia and living in Australia.

The most popular form of work for Working Holiday Visa Makers was farm hand work, accounting for 26% of the total jobs. 86% of these farm hand jobs were located in regional areas highlighting their appetite to travel outside of the gateway cities to experience the outback, small country towns and meet local characters.

The same survey showed the average hourly wage of British Working Holiday Makers was $19.40 (approximately �10).

On an average five day working week, this would equate to earnings of $776 (approximately �385), enough to cover accommodation and food bills for the week and leaving enough to put towards experiences such as island sailing trips; outback adventures and domestic travel.

Tourism Australia General Manager (UK and Europe), Rodney Harrex comments: �The 12 month gap year to Australia is a popular choice for young British school-leavers because it is the chance to live abroad before knuckling down and embarking on a career or starting university.

�It provides young people with the opportunity to supplement their travels with incidental work, meaning they gain life experiences and confidence while having an amazing holiday experience.

�And if gappers fall in love with the country and want to extend their visas, they can. Provided they conduct at least three months �specified work� such as fruit picking in a regional area, they can apply to have their visa extended for a second year.�

For the 12 months ending 31 May 2009, there has been a 19.5% increase[3] in the number of first Working Holiday Visas granted to British citizens.

For more information, visit www.australia.com/workingholiday.

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Notes to editors: Images and video content available on request.

The facts about the first Working Holiday Visa: 1) You can apply for the visa if you�re aged between 18-30 2) You can enter Australia within 12 months of getting the visa 3) You have to be outside of Australia to apply for the visa � lodge your application online at www.immi.gov.au 4) You can stay in Australia for up to 12 months, leaving and re-entering as many times as you like during that 12 month period 5) You can work with the same employer for up to six months

The facts about the second Working Holiday Visa: 1) If you spend three months working in regional Australia doing �specified work�, eg, fruit picking or construction then you can apply to extend your Working Holiday Visa and stay for another year 2) You can apply for this in Australia and stay on for a total of 24 months from the date you first entered Australia on the Working Holiday Visa 3) Or, you can come home and apply for it and return to Australia for another 12 month period 4) Either way, you need proof of employment in a regional area in a �specified work� role � see www.immi.gov.au for all the details and terms and conditions

For more information please contact: Annabel Handley, Andy Parkinson, Sarah Barnett, Emma Humphreys Tourism Australia, on 020 7438 4659, ahandley@tourism.australia.com