society Cairns, Australia
Working holiday visa changes raise workforce and political concerns in Far North Queensland
88days
Second-year working holiday visa applicants must complete regional or remote work for 88 days.
Businesses and analysts say working holiday visa changes could reduce staffing and hurt regional Labor seats. Third-year visa places have fallen from 31,000 last year to just over 5,000; the government says Pacific workers can help fill shortages.
2 sourcesabc.net.auUpdated
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The proposed changes would require working holiday visa applicants to enter a ballot for first-, second- and third-year visas.
“applicants will have to enter a ballot when applying for first, second and third-year visas”
- 88days
Second-year working holiday visa applicants must complete regional or remote work for 88 days.
“must work 88 days in regional or remote Australia”
- 45%
Crystalbrook Collection employees in Cairns hotels, restaurants, bars and a day spa who hold working holiday visas
“45 per cent of the company's 500 employees ... were on working holiday visas”