Australia's Home Affairs Minister Open to Adjusting Working Holiday Visa Ballot Plan
Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on November 13, 2026, that he is open to adjusting the working holiday visa reforms announced in September. The reforms would require Subclass 417 and 462 working holiday makers to enter a ballot when applying for second- and third-year visas; after objections from tourism, hospitality and farm employers, the government is consulting with industry.
Burke stressed that the total visa numbers published in September will not change and that the number of British backpackers needs to come down; what may change is how places are allocated and when the reforms start. The ballot had not begun as of mid-October, and revised arrangements are expected within weeks.
At the same press conference, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess also said the government is close to finalising a new terrorism threat-level system, with a decision possible as early as next week. (Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs)
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：澳大利亚（资料图）。来源：GSM 国家站图库。 / Australia (file photo). Source: GSM country library.
