In a shift from its previous stance, the Australian government is pushing for revisions in the free trade deal with the United Kingdom (UK) aiming to redirect backpackers away from urban areas like Sydney and towards remote regions. The change, which would require British backpackers to complete regional work to extend their visas, has been prompted by a surge in the number of Brits choosing to stay in cities since the implementation of the free trade deal in mid-2023. The agreement had previously exempted UK citizens from the requirement to work regionally for visa extension. With nearly a quarter of all 323,000 backpacker visas issued last year going to Brits, regional Australian communities and businesses are expressing concern over labor shortages. The government has stated that it will discuss the matter with the UK counterpart during a recent meeting of Commonwealth leaders. The National Farmers Federation, which relies on backpackers for one in seven farm jobs, has welcomed these discussions but emphasized that the issue extends beyond the UK deal.
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The Australian government is seeking revisions to the free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) in an effort to address labor shortages in remote areas. The proposed changes aim to redirect backpackers from urban centers like Sydney to regional and remote regions by requiring British backpackers to complete regional work for visa extensions, a requirement that was previously exempt for UK citizens. This shift comes as a response to the surge in British backpackers choosing to stay in cities since the implementation of the free trade deal in mid-2023. The government's discussions on this matter with the UK counterpart during a recent meeting of Commonwealth leaders have been welcomed by the National Farmers Federation, which relies on backpackers for one in seven farm jobs. However, the federation also emphasized that the issue extends beyond the UK deal and encompasses broader proposals to cut net migration into Australia.
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In a move aimed at addressing labor shortages in remote regions, the Australian government is considering revisions to the free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (UK). The proposed changes would require British backpackers to complete regional work for visa extensions, a requirement that was previously exempt for UK citizens. This shift comes as a response to the surge in British backpackers choosing to stay in cities since the implementation of the free trade deal in mid-2023. The government's discussions on this matter with the UK counterpart during a recent meeting of Commonwealth leaders have been welcomed by sectors such as agriculture, which rely heavily on backpacker labor. However, broader proposals to cut net migration into Australia are also causing concern among these sectors, as they fear that these changes could exacerbate labor shortages.