Trade Deal Means Roofers Can Now Work in UK, Oz and NZ

FROM TODAY, 31 May, the UK’s first post-Brexit trade deals with Australia and New Zealand come into effect.

As part of the deals, young people (under the age of 35 years old) can work in Australia and New Zealand for up to three years.

Australians and New Zealanders will also be able to work in the UK for the same three-year period.

Thanks to the expansion of the shared Youth Mobility and Working Holiday Maker visa schemes, on 1 July 2023 the age limit for UK applicants going to New Zealand and Australia changes from 30 to 35 years old.

Brits will be able to stay in New Zealand and Australia for up to three years without having to meet specified work requirements.

Roofers Can Work in UK, Oz and NZ

Roofing in Australia and New Zealand shares much of the same practice as in the United Kingdom. In Australia, many public buildings’ roofs are covered in Welsh slate and slate is a popular choice for domestic roofs too. Concrete and clay tiles are common in both countries, but metal roof systems are very popular, with American-style asphalt shingles less used than in the United States.

Roofers are in demand in both Australia and New Zealand. Many UK roofers worked in New Zealand following the Christchurch earthquake in 2011.

Under the new trade deal access to government contracts and investment opportunities is now offered, including equal footing to compete for an additional £10 billion of Australian public sector contracts per year and high investment screening thresholds for New Zealand.

Tariffs on environmental goods have been liberalised to encourage investment in low-carbon technology and advanced rules on digital trade have cut red tape to unlock the free flow of data and give businesses confidence their valuable intellectual property will be protected.

The Department for Business and Trade is working with firms of all sizes from across the country to explain how they can harness these trade agreements to grow their business. Dedicated resources are available to help businesses seize the opportunities.

More information on the UK-Australia free trade deal can be found here, including thematic guidance and sector-specific explainers.

More information on the UK-New Zealand free trade deal can be found here, including thematic guidance and sector-specific explainers.

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