Taiwanese Working holiday makers in rural and regional Australia: temporary transnational identities and employment challenges

Abstract

Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) from overseas have been a valuable source of employment in rural and regional Australia. This is one significant part of a growing resort to temporary migration to meet employment problems especially in regional areas. Little is known about the experience and contribution of Asian WHMs despite the presence of significant numbers, especially from Taiwan. Most Taiwanese WHMs are young educated women who have moved in search of cultural experiences and reasonable incomes. Analysis of media reports in Australia and Taiwan reveals an entirely negative perception of such migrants and their everyday circumstances that denies diversity, agency and contribution to regional economies. Taiwanese media are more likely to focus on exploitation. Being a WHM provides a distinctive transnational experience balancing travel as a cultural experience with a marginal employment experiences. New research is required to redress this limited context and evaluate the actual significance of these substantial temporary migrant flows.