The key facts
- The number of working visas for Britons rose from 47,200 in 2023–24 to more than 77,000 in 2025–26
- Britons are exempt from the 88-day regional work rule that applies to citizens of other countries
- In the Cairns region, the number of young Britons fell from 20,000 to 11,000
The deal that changed backpackers' routes
The free trade agreement between the UK and Australia, which came into force in mid-2023, gave Britons on working visas special conditions: exemption from the requirement to work in regional or remote areas to extend their stay after the first year, as well as raising the age limit from 30 to 35. According to the Australian government, the number of working visas for Britons has grown from 47,200 in the 2023–24 financial year to just over 77,000 in 2025–26. Britons account for nearly a quarter of the 323,000 backpacker visas issued over the past year.
Who this affects
Citizens of other countries who want to extend their visa for a second year must complete at least 88 days of 'specified regional work' — in agriculture, fishing, tourism and hospitality, and a further six months for a third year. Britons are exempt from this, and, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, many settle in 'Bondi or Coogee' — beachside suburbs of Sydney. The consequences are visible in northern Queensland: in the Cairns region, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree rainforests, the number of young Britons has fallen from a peak of 20,000 to about 11,000, according to Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief Mark Olsen. Restaurant owner Fintan Rafferty says that of roughly 180 staff, only five are British — before the rule change there were about 25.
Diplomacy and broader plans
Just a month ago, Albanese ruled out introducing mandatory regional work for Britons, considering it part of the trade deal, but under pressure from business he changed his position. Last week, at a Commonwealth heads of government meeting in the Caribbean, he discussed the issue with his British counterpart Andy Burnham; no immediate announcement followed — Albanese only said that Burnham had been 'very constructive' and that the agreement was 'not set in stone', with adjustments possible 'if there are compelling policy reasons'. The National Farmers' Federation welcomed the talks but noted that the problem is broader than the British deal: in September, plans were announced to cut net migration, including a lottery for visa extensions — 45,000 places for a second year (down from 57,000 this year) and 5,000 for a third (down from 31,000). These plans are still at the consultation stage, but officials have already slowed the processing of some applications.
The travellers' own views
Some Britons in Cairns support the possible return of the rule. Paige Tomlinson, 27, from Barnsley, who works in a hostel bar, believes regional work should be introduced for everyone: 'If every other country has to do it, why shouldn't we?'. And Ethan Phillips, 23, from Buckinghamshire, admits: 'I'd rather not do it, but if I have to — it's only three months'. Banana farm owner Peter Inderbitzen, who hires about 25 backpackers for the avocado harvest peak, says that without pickers 'avocados are left on the trees', and would like to see incentives for travel to the regions restored.
Paige Tomlinson from Barnsley loves the 'chilled' lifestyle of Cairns in northern Australia
Image source, Getty Many British backpackers end up in Bondi, PM Anthony Albanese says, instead of exploring the rest of Australia
Peter Inderbitzen (right) relies heavily on seasonal workers including backpackers at his farm in Queensland
Ethan Phillips, 23, from Buckinghamshire says the new Australian proposals make sense
