“Applications were filled within minutes of being made available,” said a release this week reporting on the initial 1,500 visas now available under a new arrangement with China.

Through the agreement, 5,000 places will be offered throughout 2015 and 2016, extending the opportunity to engage in short term work or study alongside a holiday in Australia to young Chinese people for the first time.

“Last financial year, China was the largest source country for visitors to Australia”

Visas will be capped at 5,000 each year and are available to educated Chinese nationals aged between 18 and 30 years old.

Around 240,000 young people from around the world travel to Australia on the Work and Holiday visa.

According to Peter Dutton, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Australia is one of the few countries to extend work and holiday visas to young Chinese nationals, giving the country leverage in the competitive Chinese tourism market.

“Last financial year, China was the largest source country for visitors to Australia,” he said. “To support the continuing growth in tourism from China, the department has successfully implemented a trial of an online visa lodgement system in China, which will be expanded in 2016.”

Dutton confirmed that Australia will follow the US and Canada in trailing a 10 year visitor visa for Chinese travellers. The government also plans on providing premium, fast-track service and Chinese language support for online visas.