Australia proposes ballot for second- and third-year backpacker visas

On 17 September, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke proposed a ballot for extended backpacker stays. Second-year hopefuls would compete for 45,000 places; third-year for 5,000. UK passport holders would stay exempt, with no cap or regional work rule. Against 206,000 working holidaymakers in June 2025, that's a squeeze. Farmers, don't bank on returnees yet.