Labor introduces ballot for backpackers seeking extra years in Australia
The Albanese government will cap second-year working holiday visas to 45,000 places. Third-year visas will cap at 5,000. A ballot system will decide who gets in.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced the overhaul Thursday. It targets backpackers, visa hoppers and overstayers.
Working holiday visa holders seeking a second year will now enter a ballot for only 45,000 places. This is down from 57,000 last year.
Third-year places fall to just 5,000, down from 31,000. If current figures hold, about 38,000 backpackers would have to leave Australia.
UK backpackers are exempt under a trade agreement. Burke said he would negotiate to change this.
The government will also stop new international students and graduates from bringing family members. The exception is for those completing a doctorate.
The aim is to cut net overseas migration to 225,000 by next financial year, from the current 292,100.
- 45,000
- Second-year places
- 5,000
- Third-year places
- about 38,000
- Expected departures
- 225,000
- Migration target
Why it mattersThe policy will cut the number of temporary workers going into hospitality and agriculture. These two industries rely heavily on backpackers.
AustraliaAustralian hospitality businesses and farms face staffing shortages as backpacker numbers fall sharply under the new caps.
Corroborated byabc.net.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 7 d ago
