Victoria
Working holiday visa changes driving backpackers away, employers warn
Industry leaders warn that backpackers are already abandoning key sectors ahead of proposed federal changes to working holiday visas.
Federal government plans to alter the working holiday visa program are already driving backpackers away from key sectors, according to industry leaders. Employers who rely heavily on seasonal and temporary workers say the anticipated changes are causing immediate workforce concerns.
According to reporting by the wire, business owners in industries that depend on working holiday makers are reporting a noticeable decline in staff. While the exact details of the proposed visa changes remain under debate, the mere prospect of new regulations has reportedly convinced many working holiday makers to seek opportunities elsewhere or leave Australia altogether.
The agricultural, hospitality, and tourism sectors are traditionally the largest employers of visa holders in Victoria and across the country. Employers in these fields have expressed anxiety over how they will fill vacant positions if the steady flow of international workers dries up. The sector has struggled with labour shortages in recent years, and industry groups argue that any policy tightening will exacerbate these issues.
Specific details regarding which regions are suffering the most severe drop-offs have not been fully quantified, but sector representatives claim the impact is already being felt on the ground. The federal government has defended its visa review process as a necessary step to reform the migration system, though it has yet to finalize the implementation timeline for the changes.
Observers will be watching to see how the federal government responds to industry pressure as peak seasonal harvest and tourism periods approach.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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