Australian Regional Tourism (ART) is calling on the Federal Government to reconsider the proposed ballot system for second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas, warning it could further strain regional workforces and economies.
Working Holiday Makers provide an important source of workers for tourism, hospitality and agriculture, while also bringing valuable visitor spending into regional communities.
According to the Tourism & Transport Forum, Working Holiday Makers generated $4.4 billion in visitor spending in 2025, including $1.1 billion in regional Australia and contributed $1.4 billion in tax revenue from wages.
Lauren Douglass, ART CEO, said the proposed changes come at a particularly difficult time for regional businesses and communities.
“Regional Australia is doing it tough. Many regions are heading into bushfire season, others are preparing for cyclone season and another spike in fuel prices is placing further pressure on businesses and communities,” Ms Douglass said.
“Introducing greater uncertainty into the Working Holiday Maker program would compound existing workforce shortages. It risks delivering fewer workers, fewer visitors and less spending at a time when regional businesses can least afford it.”
Under the proposal, Working Holiday Makers would complete the regional work required for a second or third year but still have no certainty of receiving a visa.
Ms Douglass said this could weaken the incentive for young travellers to work in the regions.
“Regional Australia cannot assume these travellers will continue choosing us. If the pathway becomes too uncertain, the workers and visitor spending our communities rely on will go elsewhere,” she said.
ART is calling on the Federal Government to:
- Pause and reconsider the proposed ballot system before it takes effect.
- Consult with the tourism industry and other affected sectors, recognising the program’s workforce, visitor spending and regional dispersal benefits.
“This isn’t just about visas. It is about our workforce, business sustainability, visitor spending and the strength of regional communities,” Ms Douglass said.
“There’s more at stake than a visa.”
https://regionaltourism.com.au/more-at-stake-than-visas/
