On 17 September 2026 the Minister for Home Affairs announced a ballot for second and third year working holiday visas. Until now, a backpacker who completed the regional work could expect the next visa. Under the new approach, the same work earns a place in a ballot.
This article sets out the numbers, what has not changed, and the alternatives. For the rest of the speech, see our guide to the 17 September migration overhaul.
The numbers the Minister gave
- Year two will be limited to 45,000 places. The Minister said 57,000 people qualified last year.
- Year three will be limited to 5,000 places. The Minister said 31,000 people were in that group last year.
In other words, year two shrinks by about a fifth. Year three shrinks far more. Based on last year’s numbers, roughly one person in six would receive a third year.
The Minister also explained why. He said backpackers added 48,000 people to net overseas migration last year. In his view, no visa class is irrelevant to that figure.
What has not changed
The specified work requirements stay the same. A second year still needs 88 days of regional work. A third year still needs six months. The Minister was direct on this point. He said that to qualify for the ballot, a person must still meet the current criteria.
However, meeting the criteria no longer leads to a visa. It leads to a ballot entry. As the Minister put it, not everybody will get through.
The first working holiday visa is not part of the ballot announcement.
Processing speeds
There was some good news as well. Because the caps reduce numbers, the Minister said the Department can restore normal processing for first working holiday applications. That applies to countries with the regional work requirement.
United Kingdom applications are different. Under the free trade agreement, UK citizens have no regional work requirement. The Minister said the number of UK backpackers in Australia is now just under 80,000. As a result, he said UK applications will continue to be processed slowly while talks with the UK continue.
British readers can compare their longer term options in our article on skilled visas for UK citizens.
What we do not know yet
- The commencement date.
- How the ballot will run, including when it opens and how often.
- Whether specified work already completed will count in the same way.
- How the ballot applies to UK citizens, who have no specified work requirement.
Planning beyond the ballot
A ballot is a chance, and nobody can build a plan on a chance alone. Therefore, anyone who wants to stay longer should look at other pathways now.
Employer sponsorship
An employer can sponsor a worker for the Skills in Demand visa if the occupation and salary meet the rules. Our guide to the subclass 482 visa explains how it works. In addition, the Minister said construction, agriculture, fisheries, resources and teaching will join the processing priorities.
Skilled visas
Some backpackers already hold a trade or a degree. For them, a points tested visa may be open. Our comparison of the 189, 190 and 491 visas is a good starting point.
Keep the records anyway
Finally, keep every payslip and record of specified work. The ballot still needs proof of the work. Good records also support later visa applications.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need to do 88 days of regional work?
Yes. The Minister said the requirements do not change. It is 88 days for a second year and six months for a third year.
How many places are there in the ballot?
The Minister announced 45,000 places for year two and 5,000 places for year three.
When does the working holiday ballot start?
No commencement date has been published, and the Government has not released how the ballot will run.
Is the first working holiday visa affected?
The ballot announcement covers years two and three. The Minister said first applications from countries with the regional requirement will return to normal processing speed.
Sam Kanjo, Migration Lawyer, Skyline Migration Lawyers, Melbourne.
Sources: the Minister for Home Affairs’ National Press Club address, 17 September 2026, and MIA Notice 16 of 18 September 2026.
Want a plan that does not rely on a ballot?
We can assess sponsorship and skilled options against your occupation and timeline. Call 03 8108 8748 or email info@skylinemigrationlawyers.com.au.
This article is general information only. It is not legal advice. Please seek advice about your own circumstances before you act.
