Australia’s Federal Government paused the processing of Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visas from 24 countries effective August 24, 2026. The affected countries include Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, and Uruguay.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed visa applications from these countries currently show a status of ‘paused.’ Meanwhile, applications from other countries remain in process but are experiencing slower processing times than before the pause.
Government’s Position on Visa Processing
Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Tony Burke stated that WHM visas continue
to be processed but at a reduced speed. He emphasized that the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme remains the primary visa program for the agricultural sector. Improvements under the PALM program aim to enhance worker protections, as some employers had previously shifted preference from PALM workers to backpackers due to standards requirements.
“Working holiday visas are still being processed, but they are being processed more slowly than they were previously,” Minister Burke said. “One of the things that happened when we started to improve the worker protections under PALM, was some of the worst operators said ‘well if we
have to have better standards for PALM workers we will switch to backpackers’ and that is not the way this system is meant to work.”
Concerns from Opposition and Regional Leaders
Shadow Minister for Tourism David Littleproud criticized the government’s move, arguing that working holidaymakers are not contributors to urban housing or infrastructure pressures. He highlighted that regional tourism operators rely on backpackers during the summer season and that the pause, introduced without prior notice, risks leaving businesses understaffed during critical periods.
“Working holidaymakers aren’t the ones putting pressure on housing, infrastructure and services in our cities,” Littleproud said. “Regional tourism operators rely on backpackers arriving
in time for the summer season. Cutting off that pipeline with no warning and no consultation will leave businesses short-staffed right when they need workers most.”
Nationals WA Leader Shane Love underscored WHM visas’ importance for Western Australia’s horticulture, grain, and wine industries, particularly in regions like the South West and Gascoyne. He warned that fewer working holiday arrivals threaten harvests and planting efforts amid ongoing challenges such as fuel shortages, feral animal infestations, and drought.
Industry Groups Warn of Labour Shortages and Harvest Risks
The National Farmers’ Federation and Grain Producers Australia (GPA) have voiced strong concerns about the impact of the visa pause on agricultural labor availability.
The National Farmers’ Federation’s 2024 report emphasized the crucial role backpackers play in regional economies, especially amid persistent labor shortages.
GPA Chair Matthew Madden described the slowing of WHM visa processing as a risk to efficient harvests. He noted grain growers rely heavily on temporary workers during peak periods and that the policy could exacerbate difficulties already caused by rising fuel and fertiliser costs.
“We are aware of the real risk limiting working holiday visas may pose to grain growers and their capability to harvest efficiently and effectively,” Madden said. The WA Grains Group’s Chair Alastair Falconer, farming in the
northern Wheatbelt, reported that his recent recruitment efforts for harvest labor have encountered noticeably fewer working holiday visa holders.
Background and Implications of the Migration Policy Changes
The suspension of WHM visas forms part of broader Federal Government migration management measures amid political pressure over overall migration numbers. The pause was imposed without prior consultation and shortly after annual visa caps were reset.
The government’s adjustments to the PALM scheme to improve worker protections prompted some employers to shift preference toward backpackers. The visa pause aims to counteract this shift and recalibrate the balance between temporary labor programs.
Reports also indicate processing delays for a further 19 countries
beyond the 24 with paused applications, though specific details on these are not provided.
Impact on Travelers and Regional Businesses
The suspension and slower processing of WHM visas reduce the availability of backpackers for seasonal work, crucial for both regional tourism and agriculture during peak periods. Regional tourism operators warn of labor shortages coinciding with the summer season’s peak.
Backpackers face uncertainty about their visa eligibility and processing timelines, complicating travel and employment plans. Operators in affected areas such as Western Australia’s South West, Gascoyne, and northern Wheatbelt regions are expected to experience heightened labor shortages at harvest and tourism peaks.
