‘I want a visa, so I have to do farm work’: how new visa rules will hit regional Australia

New immigration rules in Australia will put regional regions at risk of labor shortages, according to warnings from farmers and industry groups. Backpacker visas, which allow tourists to work in Australia for up to a year in exchange for a visa extension, have been instrumental in filling agricultural jobs for decades. However, the government's recent crackdown on backpacker visas could reduce the number of second-year visas by over 38,000, according to Immigration Minister Tony Burke.

Backpackers are critical to regional industries, working in agriculture, tourism, hospitality, construction, healthcare, and disaster recovery. Over the past four years, over 323,000 backpackers from more than 40 countries received Working Holiday Maker visas. The new system will require backpackers to work a minimum of three months in regional areas to qualify for a visa extension, causing uncertainty as to whether the current arrangement will be honored.

The National Farmers Federation has warned that the changes will create significant problems for farmers, who need approvals within days, not months. Many farmers have relied on backpackers during the pandemic pause on migration when fresh fruit was left to rot due to worker shortages. The ballot system for visa extensions could further complicate the process.

Past experiences show that backpackers may not return to regional areas unless offered incentives, and efforts to attract young Australians to farming have not been successful. The government should consult with backpackers and regional employers before making these changes to avoid leaving farms and regional industries short on workers.