Holiday boost for Australia-bound backpackers

Irish backpackers working their way around Australia will soon be allowed to stay in the same job for up to six months, the government announced today.

Australia has deals with 19 countries allowing people to visit and work on a one-year visa provided they do not have the same job for more than three months. But from July, the government is doubling the length of time they can stay with an employer, immigration minister Amanda Vanstone says.