Albanese pushes UK to tighten rules for British backpackers
Prime Minister Albanese asked the UK PM to require British backpackers to meet a regional work requirement. Other nationalities already face this.
A 2021 free-trade agreement lets British backpackers stay in Australia for three years without a regional work requirement. The exemption led to a surge.
Nearly 80,000 British travellers came in the year to June. The surge put pressure on Australia's effort to slow population growth from migration.
Albanese raised the issue with his British counterpart Andy Burnham at a Commonwealth meeting in the Caribbean. He asked that backpackers spread beyond coastal cities like Sydney and spend time in regional areas.
Burnham is still weighing the proposal. Albanese stressed he is not trying to cancel the free-trade deal entirely.
Instead, he wants to encourage backpackers to see more of Australia.
- Nearly 80,000
- British arrivals year to June
- 88 days regional work
- Work requirement for others
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Meeting location
Why it mattersPopulation and labour shortages are pressing issues for Australia. Visa rules are a direct way to control both. UK backpacker numbers directly affect how many people arrive.
AustraliaThe rule change could slow British arrivals, ease pressure on Australia's infrastructure and housing, and shift where backpackers work and spend money.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
