Australia’s Federal Government announced on 18 August 2026 that it has paused the processing of Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa applications from 24 countries. According to the Department of Home Affairs website, applications originating from 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 are marked as ‘paused’. Applications from an additional 19 countries are experiencing slowed processing. Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Tony Burke confirmed that working holiday visas continue to be processed but at a markedly slower
rate, while emphasizing that the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme remains the primary visa channel for agriculture labor.
Political and Regional Industry Reactions
Shadow Minister for Tourism David Littleproud sharply criticized the government, citing net migration figures rising by 1.4 million since the current government took office. Littleproud stated, “Working holidaymakers aren’t the ones putting pressure on housing, infrastructure and services in our cities,” and warned the pause would severely disrupt regional tourism and agriculture by halting backpacker arrivals precisely when they are needed for the summer season. Nationals WA Leader Shane Love echoed these concerns, highlighting the dependency of Western Australia’s regional industries,
particularly in the South West and Gascoyne regions, on seasonal workers arriving through the WHM program for tasks like fruit picking and harvest operations. Love urged the government to provide clarity and consult with affected sectors to mitigate workforce shortages.
PALM Scheme and Operating Challenges
Minister Burke outlined that the PALM scheme is intended as the principal visa source for agricultural labor, noting that recent improvements to worker protections under this program caused some employers to shift back to relying on backpackers. Burke stated, “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.” He also affirmed that migration policy review and adjustments remain ongoing.
Industry Concerns over Labour Shortages
Industry bodies have raised alarm over the visa pause and processing delays. Grain Producers Australia (GPA) Chair Matthew Madden expressed concern that the policy undermines the availability of critical seasonal labor during harvest periods. Madden stated that many grain growers rely on WHM visa holders to meet staffing needs and warned the government’s stance could hamper efficient harvest operations.
WA Grains Group Chair Alastair Falconer confirmed a noticeable reduction in available WHM workers for harvest tasks. The National Farmers’ Federation has consistently highlighted the contribution of backpackers to regional economies and productivity in a 2024 report, emphasizing their role in alleviating persistent labour shortages in sectors including horticulture, grain, and tourism.
Lack of Consultation and Business Impact
The visa processing changes were introduced without prior notice or consultation with industry or regional operators, causing significant uncertainty. David Littleproud criticized this approach, stating that regional tourism businesses and agricultural operators have been left scrambling to adjust workforce planning amid policy changes communicated informally through migration agents
rather than government channels. The shift threatens to leave businesses under-staffed at peak demand periods, particularly during the summer tourism season and key agricultural harvest times. This disruption coincides with existing regional pressures, including fuel shortages, drought, and feral animal infestations, exacerbating sector challenges. Travelers from the affected countries face longer or indeterminate wait times for working holiday visas, limiting their ability to work and travel within Australian regional industries dependent on seasonal labor.
Minister Tony Burke summarized the situation: “Working holiday visas are still being processed, but they are being processed more slowly than they were previously,” underscoring the
government’s position that PALM remains the cornerstone for agricultural workforce migration. David Littleproud emphasized the inappropriateness of targeting backpackers amid urban infrastructure pressures: “Backpackers keep regional pubs, farms and tourism operators running through the peak season, and this is not the area the Government should be targeting.” The pause in visa processing represents a significant obstacle for regional economies reliant on the short-term, flexible workforce the WHM program provides.
