Why is Labor’s immigration policy targeting British backpackers?

Monday 9 November 2026

In May 2023, the Albanese government announced changes to Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Program and the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme under the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (AUKFTA).

The changes allow young Aussies to work in the UK unrestricted for three years and allow young Brits to work in Australia on a similar basis. Thus, the changes were reciprocal.

After these changes, the number of UK citizens with WHM visas grew to 51,200 as of the September quarter of 2026, roughly double the level before the changes.

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About the author

Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.