Tony Burke Weighs Backpacker Visa Changes Two Months After Cuts
Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is considering changes to the government's backpacker visa policy, according to federal politics coverage on Friday. The policy was announced about two months ago at the National Press Club in Canberra.
The review follows pushback from tourism and farming interests. Industry voices have warned the cuts could damage Australia's reputation with travelers and leave crops unpicked.
What the government announced
Burke unveiled the package in September as part of a plan to bring down net overseas migration, the gap between people arriving to stay and those leaving. He set targets of 245,000 for this financial year and 225,000 for 2027-28.
Official figures released the same week showed the number had already eased to 292,000 in the year to March, down from 299,000 in December.
Backpackers and other working holidaymakers were among those targeted. People who overstay working holiday visas face tougher enforcement.
The government also moved against "visa hopping", where migrants already in Australia switch between temporary visas to extend their stay. Most international students can no longer bring partners or children.
Who backed it, and who didn't
The package drew praise from business and industry groups. The government's political opponents and human rights advocates criticized it.
Burke framed the rules as a question of clear categories. "If you want to come on a temporary basis to Australia, apply for a temporary visa," he said. "If you want to come to Australia permanently, apply for a permanent visa."
He also said anyone without a valid visa should leave the country, and that the government would add compliance measures to make that happen.
What is settled and what is not
The migration targets and the tougher stance on overstayers and visa hopping came directly from Burke's announcement. The only open question reported so far is whether the backpacker element will change. No revised policy has been published.
Burke has said immigration remains "fundamentally a strength" for Australia, but that housing pressure called for adjustment. "We need immigration to soften enough that housing has a chance to catch up," he said.
