Australia suspends Working Holiday visa applications from 24 nations, sparking industry concerns

During a press conference in Sydney, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said visa processing for the Working Holiday Maker program has slowed, prompting the Department of Home Affairs to suspend applications from 24 countries under the capped subclass 462 stream. The pause covers major source nations including Indonesia, Spain, Argentina and Singapore, leaving only five countries still open for applications. Immigration lawyer Chris Johnston called the extensive suspension unprecedented, noting it was quietly posted on the department’s website without a formal announcement.

Analysts suggest the move may relate to ongoing discussions about net overseas migration, with former Department of Immigration deputy secretary Abul Rizvi criticizing slow processing as a short-term fix. The Backpacker and Youth Tourism panel warned that regional sectors such as horticulture, which rely on holiday-makers who contributed $3.2 billion to the economy in 2019, could face shortages. The government pointed to the Pacific Workers Scheme as the primary agricultural visa, a response that drew criticism given past reports of exploitation. Applicants already lodged are told to wait, and new applicants must defer plans until the pause is lifted.