The Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) has welcomed a Coalition commitment to oppose proposed caps and ballots for second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas.
The ATIC say the change would provide greater certainty for backpackers completing regional work.
The organisation say that long-stay Working Holiday Makers (WHM) play an important role both as visitors and workers in regional Australia, where many undertake seasonal employment to qualify for additional visa years.
“We welcome the announcement to oppose caps and ballots on second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas,” said Erin McLeod, ATIC CEO.
“Backpackers who complete the required regional work should have certainty that they can extend their stay in Australia – not complete months of work only to enter a random ballot for the opportunity to stay.”
ATIC estimates that losing long-stay WHM under the Government’s proposed cap and ballot system could put around $1.6 billion in regional visitor spending and 11,000 Australian jobs at risk.
The Coalition has also proposed increasing WHM visa fees across the three-year pathway while exempting travellers from the increase when they meet relevant regional work requirements.
ATIC welcomed the exemption for backpackers completing regional work but raised concerns about a higher fee for the initial visa, before travellers have had the opportunity to qualify for the exemption.
“Australia competes with destinations around the world for Working Holiday Makers and we need to be careful that increasing the upfront cost of coming here does not discourage the very visitors we want to attract,” added Ms McLeod.
The industry body said it would seek consultation over the proposed first-year visa fee arrangements and examine any changes to regional definitions for WHM extension requirements as further details become available.
