Coalition attacks backpack visa plan

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 25, 2026

The Australian government has prioritised processing Working Holiday Maker visa applications linked to agriculture to address labour shortages during peak farming seasons. This policy aims to provide immediate relief for the sector but faces criticism for relying on farming groups to manage complexities and underscores the need for a long-term workforce strategy.

The Australian government’s recent decision to prioritise processing Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visas for the agriculture sector has drawn criticism from the opposition, amid concerns over ongoing labour shortages in farming. The measure, announced following earlier restrictions on WHM visa numbers, aims to expedite visa applications linked to critical agricultural work during peak planting and harvesting periods.

Last week, Immigration Minister Tony Burke unveiled caps on the number of WHM visas available, setting limits at 45,000 for second-year visa holders and 5,000 for third-year visa applicants. This move triggered apprehensions about prolonged workforce gaps in primary industries, prompting the government to reach an agreement with the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). Under the accord, state farming organisations and commodity groups will assist in coordinating urgent visa applications, which will receive processing priority. Applicants must still apply for a visa in the usual manner to qualify, but those connected to agriculture will be fast-tracked to better meet seasonal labour demands.

Opposition immigration spokesman Senator Jonathon Duniam criticised the government’s approach, arguing that it had created the current challenges and was now relying on the NFF to remedy the situation. He described the arrangement as the government shifting responsibility onto organisations with limited capacity to address the complexities, calling the policy “already in disarray” just a week after its introduction.

In contrast, Mike Guerin, chief executive of the NFF, welcomed the visa prioritisation as a pragmatic step taken in good faith to alleviate immediate workforce pressures. However, Guerin emphasized that this should be viewed as a short-term solution, underscoring the need for a comprehensive, long-term strategy to resolve labour shortages in the agricultural sector.

The government’s decision reflects mounting challenges in securing sufficient seasonal workers, as broader immigration policy changes place constraints on the availability of international labour. Farmers and industry groups have repeatedly warned of the detrimental impact labour shortages have on agricultural productivity, heightening the urgency for policy responses tailored to primary production needs.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.