Australians could soon live and work in EU freely, with the same rules applying for EU citizens in Australia, as part of long-awaited trade deal

https://thenightly.com.au/australia/how-australians-could-soon-live-and-work-in-eu-freely-under-long-awaited-trade-deal-c-21312701

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/45605798

Australians love hopping over to Europe [and Europeans over to Australia] for a holiday, but actually moving there isn’t so easy, at least for now.

That could soon change, with the European Union offering to make it easier for Australians to live and work across the bloc as part of a long-awaited trade deal with Canberra, sources familiar with the proposal say.

The plan would make it simpler for Australians to take up work in EU member states without needing to secure employment beforehand, with the same rules applying to Europeans heading to Australia.

Four-year limits have reportedly been floated, along with potential settlement pathways, one European source said.

...

The Albanese Government is weighing the offer, with Australian officials noting it could help fill labour shortages in sectors with comparable training standards, such as construction.

NewsWire reports the initiative was presented as a “sweetener” to bring Canberra over the line on a free-trade agreement.

A majority of EU nations last week backed a trade deal with a five-member bloc in South America, ending 25 years of talks and fuelling optimism that an agreement with Australia could be next.

European insiders said a pact with Canberra now ranks as Brussels’ “top priority,” with one adding it was “the next cab off the rank.”

...

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411 points · 59 comments · view on lemmy.world

59 Comments

Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works · 92 pts · 227d (6 replies)

It would be absolutely hilarious if it ends up being easier to enter the EU via Australia than the UK.

Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world · 31 pts · 227d

Absolutely deserved though.

dave@feddit.uk · 7 pts · 226d

It already is—it’s been much easier for Australians to move freely round Europe for some time. We have friends with dual uk / au passports, and they always use their au docs when travelling in Europe.

hanrahan@slrpnk.net · 5 pts · 226d

Lets hope so, anything bringig the world closer together is a good thing.

lemmydividebyzero@reddthat.com · -1 pts · 226d (2 replies)

In case you really need that monarchy stuff, we have some of that left in the EU:

There remain, as of 2025, twelve sovereign monarchies in Europe. Seven are kingdomsDenmarkNorwaySweden, the United KingdomSpain, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchies_in_Europe

TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 225d (1 reply)

I don't really see what monarchies have to do with what's being discussed

lemmydividebyzero@reddthat.com · 1 pts · 225d

The monarch King Charles III is technically the head of the state of Australia.

That's why it would be weird to freely travel to the EU, but not to the UK.

ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.org · 73 pts · 226d (1 reply)

We're one step closer to eliminating the challenges faced by people who accidentally flew to Austria or vice versa

amateurcrastinator@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 226d

This is hilarious!

Baggie@lemmy.zip · 38 pts · 226d (8 replies)

Please dear God, anything that gets us closer to the EU and away from America

HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 226d (4 replies)

I'm gonna laugh so hard if Canada and Oz join and start using the Eunie

Baggie@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 226d (3 replies)

I would be surprised but hell I'll take it at this point

HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 225d (2 replies)

let me rephrase if y'all call it the euro i'm gonna make fun of y'all you can do better.

Baggie@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 225d (1 reply)

Oh like a cultural nickname or something? I mean we'd figure out a few things but I don't think we refer to money that much by name, just the flat numbers. Like we only call them dolleyrdoos because that one Simpsons episode is a cultural icon.

HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 225d

We should get the prime minister of Canada and the prime minister of Oz to put they head together and come up with a perfectly cromulent turn of phrase like chazzwozzer or malungagoolachuck

lemmydividebyzero@reddthat.com · 7 pts · 226d (1 reply)

Yeah, same...

Unfortunately that you are so far away from the EU, but we like you anyways.

Baggie@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 226d

<3

MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 225d

Australia is in the inner circles of UKUSA. I doubt the intentions of your government. Then again, EU is more and more pro-citizens-spying too.

AppleTea@lemmy.zip · 37 pts · 226d (2 replies)

British exit

brexit

Australian entrance

austrance

uienia@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 225d (1 reply)

It is a bit funny that the EU/Australian trade deal is much better than whatever thing the UK/Australia trade deal was.

deHaga@feddit.uk · 2 pts · 225d

How so? Loads of UK legal firms have opened up offices in Australia since

QueenMidna@lemmy.ca · 22 pts · 225d (4 replies)

I wish they'd let Canadians do the same that would solve so many problems for me

Heliumfart@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 225d

I know, it's a no brainer. And it would have the added benefit of us further decoupling from shithole USA.

samus12345@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 225d

If Australians can do it, it's hard to think of reasons why Canadians shouldn't be able to as well.

hector@lemmy.today · 1 pts · 225d (1 reply)

Don't you guys have rights in other common wealth countries? I know england at least somewhat cancelled the old system, but before at least anyone in the common wealth could travel to the UK and get some kind of work permit. I presume it was similar for other common wealth countries, like you could go to Australia and get a work permit, live there no?

deHaga@feddit.uk · 4 pts · 225d

Canadians can use the Youth Mobility Scheme 18-35 to live and work in the UK for up to 3 years

UK ancestry visa, anyone in the commonwealth can live for 5 years if you have a UK grandparent and it leads to permanent residency.

CANZUK is a movement? with the goal of a free travel and work area

rowinxavier@lemmy.world · 19 pts · 226d (2 replies)

If we get enough countries over time and the EU ends up encompassing the whole world it could become the Everybody Union and that would be cool.

Zahille7@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 226d

Idk man, sounds suspiciously close to a New World Order... /s

Wooki@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 226d

Even a few countries, it drastically devalues other trade currencies.

oppy1984@lemdro.id · 15 pts · 226d (2 replies)

That's not a European Union, this is a European Union.

OriginalUsername7@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 226d (1 reply)

No it’s not, that’s a spoon.

oppy1984@lemdro.id · 1 pts · 226d

What are ya, a Galah? It's clearly an EU, do ya really think I'd take a spoon on walkabout? Piss off with this spoon nonsense.

Uranhjort@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 226d (3 replies)

Huh, with the sheer volume of Aussie bartenders and waiters I've met here in Copenhagen I assumed there was already an open border agreement in place.

Happy to hear they'll be free to bring more great banter from down under.

Michal@programming.dev · 7 pts · 226d (1 reply)

They often have families in the UK and are able to get a passport that way. When UK was in EU they could then travel and work in other countries.

stylusmobilus@aussie.zone · 2 pts · 225d

Yeah we go backpacking and do work visas a lot. It’s not just a thing done here, a few of us like to do it as well.

I know a couple of Aussies working in Europe, ones on a travelling or working visa, the other’s mother is European entitling them to dual citizenship.

oxbech@feddit.dk · 3 pts · 225d

Even our Queen is from down under! :D

Gsus4@mander.xyz · 10 pts · 226d

First, Eurovision, then free movement/trade...soo...ya gonna join the EU club at some point, no?

lemmydividebyzero@reddthat.com · 7 pts · 226d (2 replies)

🇦🇺❤🇪🇺

Willows@aussie.zone · 3 pts · 225d (1 reply)

Makes me mad that our previous government ended our deals with France for subs. Would much rather have strong trade ties with the EU over anything related to the USA at all.

Scomo is a disgrace for that.

biggerbogboy@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 225d

Yeah he really should’ve resigned out of embarrassment of the Engadine maccas incident

Coleslaw4145@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 225d (1 reply)

They need to clear it with the prime minister first.

[Opens Window]

"Oi!! Mista Prioome Minista!!"

samus12345@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 225d

"Anthony!"

Adderbox76@lemmy.ca · 6 pts · 226d (1 reply)

I would very much want to see the same for Canada. But Canada would have to first change it's open border policy with the chuckle-fucks to the south. Don't want to give those nut-jobs an easy round-about into the EU. MAGALAND --> CANADA --> EU

Typotyper@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 225d

No visa travel with the US isn't the same as no passport. They need their passport to visit and they would be travelling to Europe on it.

Stupidmanager@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 226d

If anyone wants to come claim the USA as part of this, the key is under the rock to get in. We will need help removing the current and unwanted occupants, but a large number of us would gladly accept open trade and work with the EU.

  • also, it seems that some idiot landing in a boat some 250 years ago and claiming the land, doesn’t really matter. So, remove the pests and claim it as new Europe.
jaxxed@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 226d (2 replies)

Great!?! Don't the Europeans know how many ski-resort jobs will be taken away by immigrants now? (Massive /s)

zaphod@sopuli.xyz · 4 pts · 226d

Austrian, Australian, who gives a fuck, it's all the same.

Duke_Nukem_1990@feddit.org · 1 pts · 225d

Climate crisis already took care of that anyways.

popcorp@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 225d
[ removed ]
phutatorius@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 225d

And Brits still don't enjoy freedom of movement because of the imbecilic act of self-harm that was Brexit.

Jimm@lemmy.world · -1 pts · 226d

That’s huge news for Aussies who’ve always dreamed of living and working in Europe the European Union is reportedly considering a two way mobility deal with Australia as part of long-awaited trade negotiations. If it goes ahead, Australians could be able to live and work across EU member states for up to several years without the usual job-offer requirements and strict visa limits, which is a big step beyond current short stay travel rules. In return, Europeans would get similar access to live and work in Australia. It’s still in the negotiation phase, but if finalized, this could change the way Australians think about careers and life overseas.

thesdev@feddit.org · -2 pts · 226d

The Albanian Chinese Albanese Government is weighing the offer

Affidavit@lemmy.world · -6 pts · 226d (7 replies)

NewsWire reports the initiative was presented as a “sweetener” to bring Canberra over the line on a free-trade agreement.

Not against the free movement part, but I am not looking forward to relearning the words for even more of the products I grew up with. EU GI regulations are utterly stupid.

HowRu68@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 226d (6 replies)

You mean words like Prosecco? That's the thing mate we did it first in Europe. Also "sparkly wine" is denominated by region and method: Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, Riesling; and the nwar furure apperantly something like "Auzzy Sparkly". Doesn't seem so difficult to me.

Affidavit@lemmy.world · -10 pts · 226d (5 replies)

That’s the thing mate we did it first in Europe.

What an absurd and snobbish perspective. As if you personally had anything to do with these products' invention.

Regardless, I make an active judgement call to avoid products that go by the 'real' name whenever Australia is forced to these agreements. I never used to care where my Champagne came from, now if the label says 'Champagne', then I know it's a Champagne I do not want.

HowRu68@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 226d (1 reply)

What an absurd and snobbish perspective.

Tell that to the French people literally living in the Champagne region. How absurd they must be.

Dude, then dont redicule our ways of doing things Especially since you don't even care, and probably won't be visiting Europe soon anyway, or are you?

Champagne I do not want.

Then good for you.

Australia isn't forced into anything and neither are you. It's just a Trade agreement which usually is beneficial to most. I do think it's maybe time for a walkabout.

Affidavit@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 226d

Australia isn’t forced into anything ... It’s just a Trade agreement

The only way the EU agrees with trade agreements (e.g. lowering/removing tariffs) is if the other countries agree with their GI demands.

I support the trade agreement in spite of the GI nonsense; I am still permitted to voice my displeasure about certain parts of it.

cartridgedream@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 226d (1 reply)

Why would that be snobbish? The place where the wine was grown/made has a massive influence on the taste, so it really does matter. It's also cultural appropriation to just take a super old tradition like that and give it a totally different name.

Affidavit@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 226d

cultural appropriation

No. It's called language. All food/drinks originate from one place or another; there's no reason to call the product something different just because it is made elsewhere. The EU are the ones demanding other countries "give it a totally different name" here, otherwise misleading and anti-consumer words like 'bubbly' (champagne), 'apera' (sherry), 'dolce rosso' (lambrusco), 'tawny' (port) etc wouldn't exist.

It doesn't matter anyway. Australia 'agreed' to change the above names years ago. Fortunately, despite the change in labelling, it hasn't caught on. Law can't dictate human language and people still call the products by their actual names.

ClassifiedPancake@discuss.tchncs.de · 3 pts · 226d

You must be on the edge all the time, caring about superficial things like that