THE HON DAVID LITTLEPROUD MP
Shadow Minister for Emergency Management
Shadow Minister for Tourism
Federal Member for Maranoa
22 September 2026
LABOR’S WORKING HOLIDAY MAKER VISA CHANGES WILL DEVASTATE REGIONAL TOURISM
Shadow Minister for Tourism David Littleproud has slammed the Albanese Labor Government’s decision to slash Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa numbers, warning the changes, announced without any consultation with industry, will decrease the number of backpackers in regional areas by 43 per cent and devastate the tourism sector across Australia.
Under Labor’s changes, a ballot system will be introduced for backpackers who want to stay in Australia beyond one year, with eligible applicants for a second year WHM visa to be reduced from 57,000 to 45,000, while those wishing to apply for a third year will be cut from 31,000 to just 5,000.
“Introducing a ballot system is a measure that makes no sense. By pursuing this, the Government is basing our migration system on a raffle, rather than merit,” Mr Littleproud said.
Mr Littleproud warned that the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) has published modelling which highlights the impact that Labor’s new measures will inflict on the sector.
“Backpackers are an essential part of Australia’s regional economies. They work in hospitality and tourism, harvest our food and fibre, strengthen our volunteer base, and help businesses get through seasonal peaks when local workers aren’t available. For Labor to target this cohort is appalling and a disgrace,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Regional tourism is already doing it tough, and the modelling commissioned by ATIC is extremely concerning. It estimates that the WHM changes announced by the Albanese Government will strip $560 million in annual visitor spending from the Australian economy, and cost 3,800 tourism jobs.”
Mr Littleproud said it was clear that Australia’s tourism sector was nothing but an afterthought under Labor.
“This crucial industry has already endured funding cuts, high operating costs, visa processing pauses and delays, endless red tape, and ongoing neglect. Cutting Australia’s backpacker intake will only make a bad situation worse for Australia’s hardworking tourism operators, who don’t deserve this shameful treatment by their own government.”
Mr Littleproud also warned that the WHM changes would harm Australia’s international reputation as a tourism destination, and act as a significant deterrent for backpackers by adding uncertainty into their visa conditions.
