New UK/Australia Free Trade Agreement Is Welcome News For The A&D Sector

It has long been a rite of passage for young Australians to make their way to the UK and vice versa to experience the world in a brand-new light. For Aussies, especially those with qualifications, the potential to cut their teeth in the UK job market presents a valuable launching pad for their ongoing career development upon returning to Australia. For Brits, the prospect of landing a well-paid gig while enjoying an unbeatable lifestyle has always been an attractive drawcard.

Until now, these opportunities were only open to people up to the age of 30 and for a maximum period of two years under the Working Holiday Visa program of both countries. But the new Free Trade Agreement recently sealed between the UK and Australia – which is in the final stages of tweaking - promises to change this.

Under the new agreement, Working Holiday Visas will now be extended to UK or Australian citizens up to 35 years old, and rather than being limited to only two years, this cohort can now work in the respective region for up to three years. 

In addition to this, the new FTA promises to recognise the qualifications of Working Visa holder candidates from the respective countries, making it easier for them to secure a role within their chosen profession. Some details of the agreement are yet to be made fully transparent, such as, will a Working Visa holder from the UK be able to stay with the same employer for the entire period while in Australia (in UK this is possible for Australian travellers), however, the outlook is promising.

These new details of the agreement open-up a wealth of opportunities for citizens of both countries and for their potential employers; the Architecture and Design sector has already applauded the new deal. The industry is booming and hungry for workers, a dilemma the new agreement could solve.

The increase in the age bracket means there is a higher chance of finding jobseekers who already have a minimum 5-years’ work experience under their belt. This is good news given the current candidate shortages across the board. For jobseekers themselves, it’s a chance to land a more challenging role rather than an entry level one. For both employers and employees, a three-year stint means greater consistency over the course of a project and more return on time invested.

Bespoke Careers is in a unique position to assist both practices and candidates to take full advantage of the new FTA. With offices in London, Sydney and Melbourne, we have been helping find and place architects and designers across the two regions for well over a decade. Our global reach and extensive client and candidate database mean we can help find the right role or employee before they’ve even left the country.

For candidates, our contractor roles give them the opportunity to ease into both the overseas market and the location without the need to commit to any one office. For candidates in the UK, this offers them the chance of working across some of the most revered practices in the world. And for candidates in Australia, this has the potential to fast track their career.

If you’re a UK architect looking to tap into the exciting opportunities afforded by the relatively smaller market that is Australia, whilst enjoying the amazing food and climate of the country – a true sea-change – then the new FTA will be an enticing proposal. Likewise, for any Australian architect who is drawn by the prospect of accessing renowned practices while having Europe right on their doorstep ready to explore and Bespoke Careers is perfectly poised to make it happen.

To see our latest opportunities in Australia click here.

To see our latest opportunities in the UK click here.