Australia seeks to change visa deal with UK after influx of Britons

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese discussed the possibility of altering visa rules for British travelers with Andy Burnham, the UK counterpart, following a rise in British visitors to Australia. The increase in British arrivals, particularly to popular destinations like Sydney and beachside suburbs, has strained local labor markets in these areas, according to Albanese.

Previously, British backpackers were required to work in rural regions for three months to satisfy visa conditions, but the free trade agreement signed during Boris Johnson's tenure eliminated this requirement. This change led to a more than doubling of British visitor numbers, from 40,000 in 2020 to 87,000 in 2021, with a majority concentrated in Sydney.

While Britons can now stay in Australia for up to three years and up to the age of 35, fewer than 10,000 British visitors arrived in Australia last year. Albanese emphasized that the influx of British travelers to small destinations was putting undue pressure on local labor markets, distorting the availability of jobs in hospitality and other sectors.

Burnham confirmed that discussions about potential changes to the visa rules were part of the bilateral meeting but refrained from committing to any specific adjustments. The two leaders also emphasized the importance of maintaining strong partnerships between the UK and Australia and addressing issues such as illegal migration and supporting young people in their respective countries.