Albanese to revisit UK backpackers deal after pushback

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has discussed tightening the rules for British backpackers working in Australia with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Since July 2024, British backpackers have been exempt from the regional work requirements that other working holidaymakers must meet to extend their stay in Australia.

The number Brits has increased by 68% since the changes were introduced, prompting calls for the Government to reinstate the regional work requirements.

Here’s what you need to know.

Background

Australia’s working holiday visa allows young people to live, work and travel here for 12 months.

It’s generally for people aged 18 to 30, although some countries have a higher age limit.

Australia has working holiday agreements with dozens of countries.

A similar visa, called the Work and Holiday visa, covers people from some other countries.

Backpackers can generally only work for the same employer for six months under these visas.

To stay for a second year, most have to complete three months of specified work during their first year.

The work must be done in a regional area, with the Department of Home Affairs determining eligible locations by postcode.

Eligible work includes farming, fishing, disaster recovery, mining and construction.

To stay for a third year, backpackers must complete six months of specified work during their second year.

By completing both requirements, someone can spend up to three years in Australia on a working holiday.

UK deal

In 2021, Australia and the UK agreed to a free trade deal that included changes to their working holiday visa programs.

Under the deal, Australians and British citizens aged 18 to 35 can apply for working holiday visas, with the option to stay in each other’s countries for up to three years.

For British backpackers coming to Australia, one of the biggest changes took effect on 1 July 2024.

They no longer had to complete regional or other specified work to qualify for a second or third working holiday visa.

Since the change, the number of British working holidaymakers coming to Australia has jumped.

UK working holiday visas rose by 68% between 2024 and 2025.

Last week, Albanese raised concerns in Parliament that British backpackers were choosing to stay in major cities, including Sydney, rather than regional areas.

Changes

In August, Albanese ruled out forcing British backpackers to complete regional work to extend their visas.

However, this week he said he would revisit the UK deal following “very strong representation from regional employers”.

Any changes would need to be agreed to by the UK and written into the free trade agreement.

On Wednesday, Albanese said he had a “constructive” conversation with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham when they met at a Commonwealth summit in Antigua this week.

Why now?

The Government is trying to bring net overseas migration down to 245,000 in 2026–27 and 225,000 in 2027–28.

Net overseas migration measures the difference between people arriving in Australia and those leaving, based on how long they stay.

2025 temporary visa arrivals:

Students: 158,000

Working holiday: 80,000

Others*: 45,000

*Excludes visitor visas.

Source: ABS, June 2026.

As part of its efforts to slow migration, the Government has announced a ballot for non-UK backpackers seeking a second or third year.

Second-year visas will be capped at 45,000 and third-year visas at 5,000.

Backpackers must still complete the required regional work to enter the ballot, but a place is no longer guaranteed.

British backpackers are exempt under the free trade agreement.

Nationals MP Michelle Landry called the changes “the worst government policy decision,” warning regional businesses rely on backpackers to fill seasonal jobs.

Opposition

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said he supports the return of regional work for UK backpackers, calling it a “centrepiece” of the Coalition’s immigration policy.

However, he took aim at how the Government is handling it.

Taylor said the Prime Minister has “lost control over our borders” and is trying to “outsource it” to the UK.