Australia updates visa priority list to include agriculture

The Australian federal government is updating Ministerial Direction 119 to include agriculture, fisheries, and teaching among priority occupations for visa processing. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced the move as part of a broader plan to reduce net overseas migration from 305,000 to a target of 245,000 this financial year and 225,000 the following year.

Responses to the changes to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa program have been divided. The Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) welcomed the restoration of agriculture as a priority but urged the government to expedite the existing backlog of applications. Conversely, the Victorian Farmers Federation expressed criticism regarding the changes.

In regional areas like Tropical North Queensland, business leaders have warned of workforce instability. Tourism and hospitality executives noted that working holiday-makers constitute a significant portion of their seasonal staff, with some reporting that workers are already leaving the region due to uncertainty regarding second and third-year visa availability. Industry groups are calling for more consultation to prevent potential staff shortages in the tourism and agricultural sectors.