Albanese to Pitch Backpacker Work Rules to Burnham
The Prime Minister plans to raise mandatory regional work for British working holiday-makers when he meets the UK Prime Minister this week.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand
Live Poll
Should Australia require British backpackers to do regional work under their visas?
Anthony Albanese plans to pitch reinstating mandatory regional work for British working holiday-makers when he meets Andy Burnham in Antigua and Barbuda this week. British nationals are currently exempt from regional work under working holiday visa terms agreed by the former Coalition government.
Why it matters
Working holiday visas are a significant pathway for young British workers, and any change to regional work conditions would affect how they work across Australia. The proposal arrives as migration settings are being debated nationally.
Annual working holiday visa grants sit at almost 80,000, with no caps on the number of holders. The Albanese government plans to drop net overseas migration to 245,000 this financial year and 225,000 by 2027/28, while the outcome of the proposal remains unresolved.
The players
Anthony Albanese
Anthony Albanese is the Prime Minister of Australia, leading the Labor government's migration reduction agenda.
Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham is a British politician who will meet Mr Albanese to discuss the working holiday arrangements.
Angus Taylor
Angus Taylor is the Australian opposition leader who has criticised the Prime Minister over the backpacker visa debate.
The details
Mr Albanese will raise reinstating mandatory regional work for British backpackers during his meeting with Mr Burnham in Antigua and Barbuda. Opposition leader Angus Taylor declined initially to say whether he supported revising working holiday terms, instead attacking the Prime Minister.
Timeline
Monday: Angus Taylor questioned on supporting revised backpacker visa terms
This week: Albanese meets Andy Burnham in Antigua and Barbuda
2027/28: Net overseas migration target of 225,000
Travel Outlook
The working holiday visa terms agreed by the former Coalition government exempted British nationals from regional work, a settings the Albanese government now seeks to revisit. The debate sits within a broader migration reduction plan that targets net overseas migration falling to 225,000 by 2027/28.
British working holiday-makers should check current regional work requirements before planning their time in Australia. Any changes to the exemption would alter how they can structure their work and travel.
The takeaway
Working holiday visa conditions can change with government policy, so travellers should confirm current rules before departing. Keeping an eye on the outcome of this week's talks will show whether the regional work requirement returns.
What happens next
Mr Albanese is scheduled to meet Mr Burnham in Antigua and Barbuda this week to raise the regional work proposal.
Further reading
Explore more on Australia and New Zealand travel and visa planning for working holiday travellers.
Live Poll
Should Australia require British backpackers to do regional work under their visas?
