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Labor Backpacker Visa changes leave farmers facing worker shortages and application burden

The National Farmers’ Federation will lodge fast-track backpacker applications amid Working Holiday Maker cuts, as Coalition MPs criticise Labor’s changes and warn farmers face uncertainty securing seasonal workers during peak periods.

By news@gippsland - 24th September 2026 - Back to News

Labor has made a complete mess of the Working Holiday Maker visa, following revelations that the National Farmers' Federation (NFF) will be forced to submit applications to fast-track backpackers during critical planting and harvesting seasons.

Darren Chester said Labor's backpacker visa changes would increase pressure on farmers, forcing the industry to resolve problems created by government policy

Migration plan chaos

Shadow Minister for Immigration, Senator Jonno Duniam, said that the Albanese government was now forcing the NFF to fix the mess it had itself created - and to effectively act as a migration agent. "The Labor government must provide immediate clarity about how farmers will get the workers they need and who will decide how - and how quickly - that happens."

"It is astounding that just one week after Immigration Minister Tony Burke's address at the National Press Club, his immigration plan is already in disarray and falling to pieces. But rather than fix the mess themselves, Labor sees fit to put the burden on those who have the least amount of time and resources to do so."

There has also been no clarity or explanation about what will now be done to provide fixes for other sectors beyond farming, including hospitality and tourism," Senator Duniam said.

Backpacker visa cuts

Last week, Labor announced changes to the backpacker intake. Year two will cut the backpacker intake from 57,000 to 45,000 and year three will cut from 31,000 to 5,000. This is a cut in numbers over years two and three by more than 40 percent.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Darren Chester said the changes would add extra pressure on farmers during peak periods. "Labor's mess should not be up to our farmers to fix. Labor does not understand farming or agriculture and so has forced the industry to work it out itself. After announcing huge cuts in backpacker visas, Labor has been forced to backtrack just days later. The short-term process is an admission that Labor has badly botched this," Mr Chester said.

Farmers demand certainty

Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Sam Birrell, said Labor's patch-up job would not provide a long-term solution. "Farmers are telling me they are anxious and worried about the upcoming peak season, but to make matters worse, it will now be up to them to prove why they need extra workers."

"I have been working with harvesting contractors who are ready to start, but the experienced workers they rely on are stuck in limbo; they have been under enormous stress because of this mess. Labor owes it to our farming community to explain exactly how it will fix this mess and prioritise the workers that farmers need. Our farmers are there to grow the nation's food and fibre - not be used as political pawns," Mr Birrell said.

Pictures from Darren Chester Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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