September 17, 2026
The National Farmers’ Federation has warned that the Federal Government is putting Australia’s food security, regional economies and farm safety at risk if it pushes ahead with a crackdown on Working Holiday Maker visas.
NFF president Hamish McIntyre said farmers were furious that Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had confirmed a three-month processing timeframe for Working Holiday Makers when approvals had previously taken only days.
“This is a low blow for farmers and the businesses that produce Australia’s food and fibre,” Mr McIntyre said.
“The government’s unilateral slowdown on Working Holiday Maker visas has already caused havoc across agriculture ahead of the busiest time of year for food and fibre production.
“A three-month processing target leaves farmers completely stranded with harvest already under way in parts of Queensland and the main season only weeks away.
“Working Holiday Makers fill about one-in-seven farm jobs, making them central to getting food and fibre produced, harvested, packed and into supermarkets.
“Farmers need approvals in days, not months. For many farms, three months is the difference between harvesting a crop and losing it.
“The government has been asleep at the wheel on this issue and now risks careering off the road at the worst possible time for Australian agriculture.”
According to the NFF:
- Working Holiday Makers make up around 14 per cent of all farm worker jobs and are especially important during peak demand periods, including around 44 per cent of the horticulture workforce, 31 per cent of grains, 26 per cent of red meat and 25 per cent of cotton workers
- They can supply up to 80 per cent of peak harvest labour in fresh produce
- About 52,000 Working Holiday Makers work in horticulture each year
- They are expected to spend $4.68 billion annually in the Australian economy, including about $726 million directly in regional communities
- Deloitte Access Economics has estimated the absence of Working Holiday Makers from horticulture would cost the industry $6.3 billion, put 127,000 supply-chain jobs at risk and reduce GDP by $13 billion
