Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell, says the Liberals and Nationals’ Migration Plan will cut overall migration while protecting regional migration programs and directing skilled workers to areas of genuine need.
The Plan will reduce net overseas migration to 100,000 a year in 2028–29 and 2029–30, before increasing to 130,000 and 160,000 in the following two years. It will reduce the stock of temporary visa holders by around 650,000 over four years while keeping the permanent migration program capped at 185,000 places a year over the forward estimates.
“I have fought hard to ensure our policy reflects the positive contribution migration makes in regional Australia, where workforce needs are acute, particularly in health, aged care and agriculture,” Mr Birrell said.
“When the Albanese Government suddenly plugged the pipeline of agricultural harvest workers it caused genuine distress for businesses that have relied on working holiday visa holders for more than a decade. This policy is designed to provide certainty to regional businesses.”
The Working Holiday Visa will not be capped but the introduction of a fee waiver will encourage more backpackers complete a regional work component.
“That provides a clear incentive for Working Holiday Makers to spend time in communities where employers need workers,” Mr Birrell said.
“That matters across the Goulburn and Murray valleys, where agriculture and regional businesses rely on access to these workers during peak periods.”
The Plan will also reverse Labor’s ballot system and caps for second- and third-year Working Holiday Maker visa extensions.
Key measures for regional Australia include:
- raising Working Holiday Maker visa fees, with an exemption for regional areas;
- reversing Labor’s ballot system and caps for second- and third-year Working Holiday Maker visa extensions, with those applicants continuing to be able to reapply onshore;
- revising the regional definitions for Working Holiday Maker extension requirements;
- prioritising employer-sponsored applications in regional Australia through Ministerial Directions;
- providing post-study transitional visas for students completing PhDs, studying health or education, or studying at regional universities;
- introducing a new Agriculture Visa from 2030; and
- creating 15,000 Skilled Project Visas each year for major projects, with workers tied to a defined project and period.
Mr Birrell said the stronger focus on skilled migration and employer-sponsored applicants would help regional businesses and services meet genuine workforce needs.
“Our hospitals, aged care homes, farms, trades and businesses need skilled workers who are ready to contribute,” Mr Birrell said.
“Prioritising employer-sponsored applications in regional Australia will help direct migration to communities with genuine workforce shortages.”
“The new Agriculture Visa from 2030 recognises the importance of a reliable agricultural workforce to our food security, regional economies and export industries.”
Mr Birrell said there would be no changes to family reunion visas under the Plan, with existing settings to continue.
Mr Birrell said the Coalition plan will end Labor’s reliance on rapid population growth to prop up the economy. Numbers will be cut significantly but the Coalition package will still generate a small positive budget impact of around $260 million over four years.