Australia pauses backpacker visas from 24 countries, including Singapore and Thailand
Australia has slowed processing of new working holiday and backpacker visas, with applications from 24 countries already suspended as the government finalizes a wider package of migration cuts.
Australia has temporarily paused backpacker visas from 24 countries, including Singapore and Thailand, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. The processing of these visas is still ongoing but is being handled more slowly than before, with no further explanation provided by Burke. The slowdown is part of the government's wider migration package, which is still being worked through and must go through a full cabinet process.
Burke defended the delay, stating that the policy is being refined and has to pass through the cabinet.
The reduction in backpacker visas is expected to impact sectors such as agriculture, which primarily relies on Pacific labor mobility for temporary farm staff. Some operators are reportedly switching to backpackers instead of improved worker protections under the Pacific program. Applications from these 24 countries are currently paused on the Department of Home Affairs website, leaving only San Marino and Turkey open for processing.
China, India, and Vietnam have separate ballot systems, with Vietnam allocated 1,500 places per year and China 5,000.
The pause only applies to the capped Work and Holiday stream, not the uncapped stream. Countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore are currently suspended from the capped stream, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. The uncapped stream, which includes countries like the U.K., France, Ireland, Italy, and South Korea, remains open. Processing times for applicants from these countries have lengthened since July.
Burke explained that pausing applications is a routine tool to spread applications across a program year and keep the program sustainable. The government's decision comes after a broader overhaul package, which included plans for reduced backpacker visas, tighter family reunion rules, and limits on asylum seeker work rights. The package was withdrawn from cabinet on Aug. 4 due to unresolved questions. The coalition has also proposed a target of 180,000 backpacker visas per year, but this has not been adopted yet.
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