Still, regarding the report, nearly every single country from around the world was represented in Australia's population in 2020, and England (980,400) has continued to be the largest group of overseas-born living in Australia. However, this decreased from just over a million, recorded throughout the period 2012 to 2016. Those born in India (721,000) were in second place, with an increase of 56,300 people; Chinese-born (650,600) fell to third place, with 17,300 fewer people, and those born in Australia (18.0 million) increased by 211,400 during the year.
With floods, bushfires and strict coronavirus lockdowns, Australia had experienced hard times – and it had left some expats scared. Earlier this year, Ayomide Moon, a British expat, who moved to Bondi Beach in Sydney's east in 2019, shared his feelings on TikTok to lament his wild time in Australia. “Am I the only one from the UK who's thinking to themselves, ‘What (...) did I get myself into by moving to Australia in these last two years?''' Since Moon arrived in December 2019, Australia has experienced bushfires, the coronavirus pandemic, and most recently devastating floods. “I swear everyone was like: ‘Come to Australia, it's amazing, the land of paradise, so much opportunity here.'” On the other hand, with the COVID-19 recovery plan of reopening the borders and the bargain flights, Australia aims to attract British expats again.
Bargain flights
The £10 deal is a return to a 'Ten Pound Pom' scheme by the South Australian Tourism Commission from 40 years ago. British citizens who migrated to Australia and New Zealand after the Second World War were described (informally) as Ten Pound Poms (or Ten Pound tourists) due to the charge of £10 in processing fees to migrate to Australia.
The £10 flights are a move to boost tourism and immigration, as the country has just reopened its borders to visitors after keeping them strictly shut during the Covid-19 pandemic. Australia closed its borders to almost everyone except citizens and residents in March 2020 in an attempt to slow surging Covid-19 case numbers.
The travel ban – which also barred citizens from travelling overseas without an exemption and imposed a strict cap on international arrivals – earned the country the nickname “Fortress Australia”. However, Australia opened its international borders to all fully vaccinated travellers on February 21, nearly two years after the island nation first imposed some of the world's strictest Covid-19 travel restrictions.
How does it work?
At this time, bargain flights are available for young Brits (18-30) who want to travel to Australia under a Working Holiday Visa, meaning they won't have to commit to a permanent move. This visa allows expats from Britain to enjoy an extended holiday in Australia and to work in the country so that they can fund their trip. The cheap £10 return fares will go on sale this month. There will be a total of 200 return flights up for grabs with Trailfinders, flying to Adelaide on Qatar Airways.
Applicants need to be British citizens and must have proof of a Working Holiday Visa, with travel taking place before September 30, 2022. The South Australian Tourism Commission adds: "A starter pack including some accommodation on arrival, and access to a tax file number and bank account, etc. also needs to be purchased with the £10 fare from Trailfinders.
The majority of Working Holiday Visas are being processed quickly, so for those currently without one, there is a window to still apply this month. The Australian Government hopes the scheme will help not only to encourage young Brits to visit Australia but also “help fill employment gaps and skills shortages that hit the Australian economy during the pandemic".
