New generation of 10-pound Poms - Australia luring UK and Irish backpackers with cheap flights

An Australian state is so desperate for workers that it's offering bargain basement $17.60 (£10) fares to entice British backpackers to come Down Under. 

The South Australian scheme is a modern twist on the post-war '10-pound Pom' scheme and will see Irish travellers get even cheaper trips to Australia costing just  €10, or $14.90.

The move comes as the battle for backpackers heats up due to worker shortages across the country. 

The scheme is an updated version of the program that brought migrants from the United Kingdom - including future pop stars and prime ministers - to Australia in the decades after World War II until 1982. 

South Australia is attempting to lure more workers from the United Kingdom to the state, with the added bonus of experiencing some of the country's most beautiful beaches (pictured)

Two hundred lucky people will be chosen to get a £10 (pictured) fare from the UK or Ireland to South Australia

That plan saw 1.5 million British and Irish people travel Down Under for just £10, but there are some major differences today in price, transport and availability. 

The £10 of 1945 is the equivalent of £460 ($810) in 2022, so today's £10 is vastly cheaper.

It's also more comfortable now, with backpackers taking a 24-hour flight rather than a six-week boat journey. 

But the availability is a lot tighter. Just 200 lucky travellers will be chosen for the £10 flights. 

The reason for the plan is simple necessity. 

Who were the original 'Ten pound Poms'? 

In a bid to 'populate or perish', Australia initiated the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme in 1945.

These people became known as '10-pound Poms' after the price of the transport by ship to Australia.

Tony Abbott (pictured) went from '10-pound Pom' to Australian Prime Minister

The scheme lasted until 1982 and saw 1.5million British and Irish people move to Australia. 

Two of the most famous people to arrive Down Under that way were former prime ministers Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, who both migrated with their families in the 1960s.

South Australia has always played second fiddle to the eastern states of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland when it comes to attracting migrants. 

Backpackers, in particular, are far more likely to fly into cosmopolitan Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane than South Australia's capital Adelaide - which has the well earned but not very exciting nickname 'the city of churches'.

Starting in May, young British and Irish people will be able to buy flights out of Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh or Dublin to Adelaide from Qatar Airways. 

Those interested must be eligible to get a working holiday visa for Australia and be able to travel before September 30. 

'South Australia is welcoming the return of working holiday makers – it's a real win-win for young people eager to travel and work abroad, and for our local tourism industry,' said South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison.

She said tourism operators have missed having international visitors due to Covid restrictions over the past two years, while the state has also missed out on the backpacker workforce and 'the vibrancy they bring'.

'These backpackers foster a love for our state and our country which often inspires them to return later in life.

'Whether it's in our bars, restaurants, wineries and hotels, or on our outback stations and farms, there are so many ways that British and Irish citizens can work in Adelaide and in regional South Australia,' said Ms Bettison.

'We look forward to welcoming back young people from the UK and Ireland, and encourage them to make the most of these £10 fares.'

Two of the original 10-pound Poms went on to become Australian prime ministers.  

A woman is pictured staring out at a South Australian sunset from a cave on a beach

Julia Gillard, who was a Labor prime minister from 2010 to 2013, migrated with her family from Barry, Glamorgan, Wales in 1966. 

Her parents hoped the warmer climate would help cure her lung infection. 

Tony Abbott, Liberal prime minister from 2013 to 2015, migrated in 1960 under the scheme with his family. 

The Bee Gees and members of rock band AC/DC also arrived in Australia as 10-pound Poms.

It remains to be seen if any of the next batch of British and Irish people moving to Australia will go on to be a prime minister or a music star.  

St Peter's Anglican Cathedral (pictured) is located next to the Adelaide Oval Cricket Ground. Adelaide is known as 'the city of churches'