Australia’s Working Holiday Maker sector is calling for clarity from the Federal Government as visa delays and pauses continue to create uncertainty for travellers, tourism operators and regional communities. The Backpacker & Youth Tourism Advisory Panel (BYTAP) warns that prolonged disruption risks damaging both Australia’s visitor economy and its reputation as a leading working holiday destination.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has said that subclass 417 visas are “being processed more slowly than they were previously”. However, the sector continues to receive reports that onshore applications are progressing while many offshore applicants remain waiting for a decision or clear information about processing timeframes.

BYTAP spokesperson Wendi Aylward said the timing is particularly concerning, with this period traditionally when many Europeans are preparing to travel to Australia for the summer season. “These are young people who have saved, planned and in many cases already committed to an Australian working holiday. The longer the uncertainty continues, the greater the risk that they will simply choose another destination,” Ms Aylward said.

Ms Aylward said the Working Holiday Maker program is a 50-year success story that has delivered significant benefits to communities across Australia. “Working Holiday Makers are travellers first and foremost. They travel throughout Australia, spend their money in local communities and provide an important economic boost, particularly in regional areas. Any prolonged disruption to the program will therefore be felt well beyond the visa applicants themselves. Australia’s tourism and agricultural sectors will be hit hard, and ultimately so will Australian consumers, who could face significant increases in the cost of fresh produce.”

Tourism Australia data shows that in 2019 Working Holiday Makers contributed $3.2 billion to the Australian economy, including at least $726 million in regional Australia. The tourism sector is also concerned about the longer-term impact on Australia’s competitiveness. Young travellers have choices, and Australia competes directly with destinations including New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“Australia has earned its position as one of the world’s most popular working holiday destinations by welcoming young people from many countries under the reciprocal Working Holiday Maker scheme. If we make Australia difficult or uncertain to access, we risk losing travellers to competing destinations. Once those travel patterns change, there is no guarantee they will return quickly.”

BYTAP is urgently seeking clarity on when paused subclass 462 visa arrangements will resume, as well as clear information about processing timeframes for subclass 417 applications. Ms Aylward said “Australia has spent 50 years building one of the world’s most successful cultural exchange programs. We need to ensure its future for another 50 years.”

Media contacts:

BYTAP spokesperson: Wendi Aylward

0402 283 783  |  waylward@aifs.com.au

BYTAP spokesperson: Alex Hill

0477 939 900  |  alex.hill@atv.org.au

For more information about BYTAP, the peak body representing Australia’s backpacker and youth tourism industry, supported by Youth Tourism NSW (YTNSW), Adventure Queensland (AQ) and Adventure Tourism Victoria (ATV), visit www.bytap.org.