‘This is going to hurt us badly’: How migration changes could affect regional Australian businesses

2 hours ago The News Room

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has unveiled a suite of migration changes, including tighter rules on “visa-hopping”, tougher action against visa overstayers, and a crackdown on rogue migration agents.

The new measures are aimed at reducing net overseas migration from its current figure of 292,100 to 245,000 this financial year and 225,000 in 2027-2028, while prioritising workers in key sectors.

A ballot system will be introduced for second and third-year working holiday-makers, who are required to work regionally.

Only 45,000 working holiday-makers will be able to stay in Australia for a second year, and just 5,000 for a third year — down from 57,000 and 31,000 respectively.

For those like Saramat Ruchkaew, a farmer working on a Northern Territory mango farm, who relies heavily on those holiday visa workers, it could mean a harder time finding labour in regional communities.