The Australian Federal Government has paused the processing of Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa applications from 24 countries, while applications from an additional 19 countries face processing delays, according to recent government announcements before 18 August 2026. The suspended and delayed visa processing affects regional agriculture and tourism sectors reliant on backpacker labor during peak seasonal periods. Countries affected by the pause 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.
Government Confirmation and PALM Scheme Continuation
Tony Burke, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration,
confirmed that while WHM visa processing is paused for the named 24 countries, visas from other countries continue to be processed at a slower rate. Burke stated the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme remains the primary visa for agricultural workers and will continue unchanged. He noted improved worker protections under PALM had led some operators to shift towards backpacker labor, a situation his office does not endorse.
Political Criticism and Regional Industry Concerns
Shadow Minister for Tourism David Littleproud criticized the Federal Government’s targeting of the WHM visa program despite net migration increasing to 1.4 million since the current government took office. He emphasized that
working holidaymakers do not contribute significantly to urban housing or infrastructure pressures but are essential to sustaining regional pubs, farms, and tourism businesses during peak seasons. Littleproud called the abrupt pause, announced without prior consultation and weeks after annual visa cap resets, a threat to an already pressured tourism industry.
Nationals WA Leader Shane Love highlighted the importance of WHM visas for Western Australia’s regional industries, including horticulture, grain, and wine sectors in the South West and Gascoyne regions. Love warned that restricting backpacker arrivals would reduce the workforce available for seasonal fruit picking and harvests. He expressed concern that
agriculture, already challenged by fuel issues, drought, and feral pests, would face further strain from the visa pause.
Harvest Risks Highlighted by Grain Producers Australia
Matthew Madden, Chair of Grain Producers Australia (GPA), expressed alarm at the Government’s decision to slow WHM visa processing, citing risks to harvest efficiency. Madden stated that many grain growers depend on working holiday visa holders to meet critical staffing needs during harvest periods. He warned the policy could force growers to struggle unnecessarily amid existing supply challenges such as fuel and fertilizer price volatility.
Alastair Falconer, WA Grains Group Chair and GPA Policy Council member, said that recent recruitment efforts for
harvest labor encountered fewer working holiday visa holders available to assist, impacting operational capacity in the northern Wheatbelt of Western Australia.
Policy Context and Workforce Impact
The WHM visa pause is part of broader Federal Government migration management settings responding to increased overall migration. The government aims to rely more heavily on the PALM visa scheme, which includes improved worker protections. Minister Burke acknowledged ongoing migration policy work and warned against operators switching exclusively to backpackers to avoid PALM standards.
The visa pause and slowed processing have left applicants and employers without prior consultation or clear timelines, causing workforce planning uncertainty. Regional tourism businesses face
staff shortages ahead of the summer peak, and agricultural producers confront potential labor deficits during critical harvest periods.
Key officials emphasized the role of working holidaymakers in regional economies. Tony Burke stated: “Working holiday visas are still being processed, but they are being processed more slowly than they were previously.” David Littleproud said, “Working holidaymakers aren’t the ones putting pressure on housing, infrastructure and services in our cities,” and warned that cutting off the seasonal backpacker workforce could leave regional businesses short-staffed during peak demand.
