{
  "id": 10628709,
  "title": "Working holiday visa changes driving backpackers away, employers say",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/working-holiday-visa-changes-driving-backpackers-away-employers-say",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T06:31:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-29/working-holiday-visa-changes-backpackers-far-north-qld/107206690"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Far North Queensland industries are already facing staff shortages due to recent changes to working holiday visa regulations, according to major employers in the region. The Australian federal government plans to cap the number of working holiday-makers from certain countries over the next year, with Pacific workers expected to fill the gaps. However, local businesses are concerned the changes may hinder their ability to meet demand, particularly during the school holiday tourist season.\n\nGeoff York, CEO of Crystalbrook Collection, reported that already 45% of their 500 employees in Cairns hotels, restaurants, bars, and day spas are on working holiday visas. York explained that many of these workers are hesitant to continue working in the region for another six months, knowing they have only a one in six chance of qualifying for the third-year visa ballot. He warned that the industry could face shortages similar to those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite strong demand. York noted that his two 300-room hotels might only be able to fill 250 rooms, despite the high visitor interest.\n\nTourism Tropical North Queensland's Mark Olsen expressed similar concerns, stating that the industry wants the government to abandon the changes. Olsen emphasized that working holiday-makers from various countries bring valuable language skills, which are crucial for industries such as skydiving, bungee jumping, diving, snorkelling, whitewater rafting, and other adventure activities. He also highlighted that many workers stay long enough to build skills in roles like dive masters. Olsen dismissed the argument that workers would strain local housing supplies, as 90% of their accommodation for these backpackers is already in hostels or farms.\n\nThe Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO, Patricia O'Neil, warned that the visa cuts would devastate aged care, childcare, labour, and construction industries in the region. Joe Moro, president of FNQ Growers, explained that the government has effectively terminated the working holiday visa program for the farming sector, as Pacific workers, who make up about a third of the 15,000 workers on Far North Queensland farms, are less likely to take up the third-year visa. Moro stated that workers would prefer to visit the region as tourists rather than work in the farms for six months, fearing a lack of guarantee for the third-year visa. As Australia's third-largest fruit bowl, growers rely on these international visitors to fill gaps during peak harvests. Moro expressed concerns about the safety of other workers being overworked and the potential for some crops to go unpicked, which would ultimately lead to higher consumer prices.\n\nFederal Pacific Island Affairs Minister Pat Conroy defended the changes, stating that Pacific workers are the solution to filling gaps left by working holiday-makers in regional Australia. He argued that bringing in Pacific workers is in Australia's national interest and preferable to recruiting from other parts of the world. Leichhardt MP Matt Smith urged other political parties to come to the table to address the visa issue, while the Queensland Sport Minister, Tim Mander, dismissed the changes as \"crazy,\" emphasizing that they would not affect construction and preparation for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.",
  "summary": "Industry leaders say backpackers are already leaving sectors that are heavily reliant on them because of federal government's planned changes to the working holiday visa.",
  "key_points": [
    "Working holiday visa changes may limit staff in Far North Queensland industries",
    "Pacific workers expected to fill gaps, but employers concerned about visa ballot odds",
    "Concerns raised about industry shortages and safety during school holiday season"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Changes to working holiday visa regulations are likely to exacerbate staff shortages in Far North Queensland industries, particularly in tourism and agriculture, as employers struggle to meet demand.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}