Ballot plan to limit second- and third-year backpacker visas

On 17 September, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke proposed a lottery-style ballot for backpackers wanting to stay on. 45,000 spots for a second year, 5,000 for a third. UK passport holders stay exempt — no cap, no regional work rule. With 206,000 holidaymakers here in June 2025, that’s a tight squeeze. Farmers shouldn’t count on returnees yet.