Tourism Council WA is calling on the Federal Government to rule out proposals limiting Working Holiday Makers visas (backpackers) to 12 months, as it would negatively impact regional WA and the WA economy.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the proposal, formalised in the Federal Migration Review, would have a disproportionate impact on WA as most backpackers start their time in Australia on the East coast.
Latest Tourism Research Australia data revealed backpackers spent $360 million in Western Australia in the year ending September 2023, which generated 255 jobs for locals.
“Backpackers spent on average $5900 each during their trip to WA in the year ending September 2023, more than twice the expenditure of other international visitors to WA,” Mr Hall said.
“Backpackers stay longer and travel further than other visitors to Western Australia.”
Currently Working Holiday Maker visas can be extended up to three years to give backpackers time to travel throughout regional Australia. Mr Hall said reducing the current option would disproportionately hinder Western Australia.
“Australia is a big country, and the Federal Government shouldn’t force backpackers out of the country before they’ve had time to work their way across to WA,” he said.
Mr Hall said backpackers accounted for 8.2 per cent of international visitors to WA, whereas they only made up 3.1 per cent of visitors to Australia.
“If the Federal Government was to impose a 12-month cap on backpackers, that $360 million would be at risk and it would have a devastating impact on regional Western Australia,” he said.
Mr Hall said backpackers had no obligation to come to Western Australia or stay for longer than a year, but the TRA statistics showed they were eager to come to the West coast and take part in great holiday work experiences.
“Backpackers love to come to WA during peak season and do interesting jobs as part of their holiday,” he said.
“Backpackers favour regional tourism towns, from working as deckhands on whaleshark tours in Exmouth to guiding sunset camel tours in Broome.”
