Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Australia seeks changes to visa rules for British backpackers
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to seek changes to British backpacker visa rules in talks with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham at a Commonwealth meeting in the Caribbean.
Under the current deal, British travellers can stay for up to three years without doing the regional work required of many other working holidaymakers.
The number of British backpackers has risen sharply, though the figures differ: one account says 87,000 arrived last year, while another puts the total at nearly 80,000 last financial year.
Albanese says many are working in hospitality in Sydney and other major cities, putting pressure on local workforces.
The rules were eased under a UK-Australia free trade deal, while Australian visitors to the UK are covered by similar changes.
Farm groups warn that backpackers are also vital to harvest work, and have raised concerns about broader visa processing delays and proposed limits on extensions.
Burnham did not confirm whether changes would be agreed, and the two leaders are expected to continue discussions.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he wants to discuss changing visa rules for British backpackers with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The rules allow British backpackers to stay in Australia for up to three years without doing regional work.
The Australian government says the number of British backpackers has risen sharply, with many staying in Sydney and nearby beachside areas.
Albanese says their concentration in cities is putting pressure on local hospitality jobs and labour markets.
Farmers’ representatives say backpackers are important to the agricultural workforce and that worker shortages have broader causes.
- Who
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- What
- They are discussing possible changes to rules for British backpacker visas in Australia.
- When
- They met during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November 2026.
- Where
- Antigua and Barbuda, in the Caribbean.
- Why
- Albanese says the number of British backpackers in major cities is putting pressure on local labour markets.
Australian government
National Farmers' Federation
Visa rules
Australian government
Albanese wants to discuss changes to the rules for British backpackers, who do not have to do regional work under the UK-Australia deal.
National Farmers' Federation
The NFF says worker shortages in agriculture are broader than the UK deal and points to visa-processing delays and proposed caps and a ballot.
Albanese told the ABC there would be no changes to the deal exempting British backpackers from regional work rules.
The National Farmers' Federation made an emergency deal with the government to fast-track urgent visa requests for harvest and fruit-picking workers.
Albanese said he would raise the backpacker visa issue with Burnham.
Albanese and Burnham met at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda and discussed visas.
- Maximum stay
- Up to three years for British backpackers
- Regional work
- Not required of British backpackers under the UK-Australia free trade deal
- British backpackers
- Guardian Australia reports 87,000 last year, up from 40,000 two years earlier
- British backpackers
- ABC Australia reports nearly 80,000 last financial year, up from about 47,000 in 2024
- Proposed second-year places
- 45,000, with 88 days of regional work required to enter a ballot
- Proposed third-year places
- 5,000, with a six-month regional work requirement
4 sources
What people are saying
That's placing enormous pressure because it's distorting the labour market in these areas as well.
It's a step in the right direction, but not dealing with the fundamental underlying issue.
This is a desperate prime minister who's not only lost control of the economy, he's lost control of our borders.