Global backpacker interest in Australia reaches fever pitch, with Britons leading the charge

Australia’s backpacker numbers have hit an all-time high as global interest in DownUnder reaches a fever pitch — with Britons leading the charge.

Home Affairs officials have revealed there are 234,000 backpackers in Australia, accounting for more than half of the nation’s high net overseas migration figure.

Speaking at the first public hearing of a new parliamentary inquiry into migration in Canberra on Friday, the department’s Michael Willard said the Working Holiday Visa uptake had increased from every corner of the globe.

“We’re seeing very strong growth in the Working Holiday maker visa,” the deputy secretary of immigration said.

“At the moment, we have around 230,000 Working Holiday maker visa holders in Australia. “Pretty much all of our partner countries are growing, but the strongest growth is coming from the UK.

“What we’re seeing, in effect, is still an impact of the Covid period.

“We’ve seen is, if you like, a few years of pent up demand being released at the same time because of people not being able to have that opportunity during Covid.”

The parliamentarian inquiry was launched to help improve skilled migration in Australia and came in response of a 2023 review into our migration system by prominent public servant Martin Parkinson which diagnosed issues in the policy area.

One such issue is the skills gap in critical sectors — like health, aged care, regional industries, construction — despite high net overseas migration. Skilled migrants make up more than 70 per cent of Australia’s 185,000 total permanent places.

The inquiry has received more than 140 submissions from a broad spectrum of industries, the majority of which say skilled migration was critical and insisted better national education was needed to counter declining public confidence in the system.

It comes amid intensifying public debate over migration levels, as various groups — including One Nation, Advance, and the Coalition — have linked arrival numbers to the national housing crisis and mounting cost-of-living pressures.

So concerned about the public perception, peak body for the resources sector Minerals Council of Australia recommended in there submission that there should be “national storytelling campaigns” to highlight the importance of them to the economy.

“Strategies should emphasise that while Australian companies employ Australians as a priority, in some cases skilled migration is needed to supplement domestic workers and training and that it supports strategic national goals,” deputy chief executive Sid Marris said.

“Share compelling stories of skilled migrants working in mining, clean energy, healthcare, and technology, showing how their expertise supports local communities, Australia’s prosperity and key industries.”

A submission by the Australia pork industries peak body found the sector was grappling with a 60 per cent shortfall in staff and labelled skilled migration as “critical” for the supply chain.

“To ensure a sustainable future, the industry must be supported by effective employment programs, a responsive migration system, and regional development policies and investment that ensure regional areas are attractive places to live and work,” Australian Pork’s chief executive Margo Andre said.

Master Electricians Australia, the peak industry association representing electrical contractors, called for the government to improve skilled migration settings to help shortages, particularly in acute areas like in the regions.

“The electrical industry is facing an ongoing and critical skills shortage,” Master Electricians Australia’s Georgia Holmes said.

“While there are multiple and urgent barriers contributing to this shortfall, recognising and streamlining skilled migration pathways represents a key and immediately available solution.”

Committee Chair, Steve Georganas said the inquiry would examine the skilled migration program’s effectiveness in addressing skills gaps and supporting the ongoing needs of Australian businesses.

“Skilled migration plays an important role in Australia’s economic success by meeting labour shortages and filling skills gaps, as well as supporting local communities and enhancing cultural diversity,” he said.

“This inquiry is a valuable opportunity ensure the skilled migration program is operating effectively and that we have the settings right.”

The inquiry will travel across Australia, including major cities and regional areas to hear from business, organisations and individuals about the impacts of policy changes to skilled migration.