Why working backpackers will be able to stay in Australia for longer
Backpackers and other visitors on working holidays will be able to stay in Australia longer under a federal government plan to help farmers fill job shortages.
Pacific Islanders taking up seasonal work will be able to stay three months longer and the age limit for working holiday visas for some countries will be lifted to 35.
Backpackers will no longer need to leave jobs every six months and will be able to triple the length of their stay if they do extra agricultural work.
The changes come after the Nationals failed to deliver a promised agricultural visa and Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s attempt to force unemployed benefits recipients to pick fruit was dismissed by the industry.
Mr Morrison will announce the changes in southeast Queensland on Monday.
“Australians filling Australian jobs is my No.1 priority, but when this isn’t possible we need to ensure our farmers aren’t left high and dry with rotting crops, especially in the strawberry industry,” he told the Courier Mail.
A rule that forced some backpackers to work in northern Australia will also be dumped, and they will instead be allowed to work in a wider range of regions throughout the country.
