Albanese to seek regional work requirement for British backpackers
Prime Minister Albanese seeks rule changes as British backpacker numbers surge to 80,000.
British backpackers visiting Australia nearly doubled in a year. Numbers went from about 47,000 in 2024 to nearly 80,000 last financial year.
Under the Australia-UK free trade deal, they are exempt from a regional and rural work requirement. Other backpackers must meet this requirement.
The exemption lets British backpackers stay in capital cities. They work in hospitality and service jobs.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pushing Britain to close this gap when he meets with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham this week. The government wants to lower Australia's net migration numbers.
The backpacker spike has become a political issue. Other backpackers must work 88 days in regional areas to stay a second year.
They must work six months to stay a third year.
- About 47,000
- UK backpackers 2024
- Nearly 80,000
- UK backpackers last financial year
- Andy Burnham
- UK counterpart
Why it mattersIf the rule changes, Australian employers competing for workers in cities will face fresh pressure on wage and conditions.
AustraliaStricter backpacker rules could increase labour costs for hospitality and agriculture sectors already competing for workers in Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago
