Western Australian Premier Roger Cook has urged the federal government to reconsider proposed changes to working holiday visas, warning that restrictions on second- and third-year visas could make it harder for regional tourism and hospitality businesses to recruit seasonal workers.

Cook has raised concerns with federal Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke about the potential effects of the proposed changes, which would introduce a ballot system for working holiday makers seeking to remain in Australia for a second or third year. Under the proposed arrangements, 45,000 places would be available for second-year visas and 5,000 for third-year visas.

The Western Australian government argues that regional businesses rely on working holiday makers to fill temporary jobs, particularly during busy tourism periods when demand for staff increases. Hotels, restaurants, tourism operators and other hospitality businesses may face additional recruitment pressure if fewer eligible travellers are available to work.

Concerns for regional tourism

Western Australia has a distinctive challenge because many international visitors initially arrive in Australia's eastern cities before travelling west. Some working holiday makers take considerable time to reach Western Australia, meaning regional employers can depend on travellers who move across the country during their extended stay.

Tourism industry representatives have warned that reducing the number of returning working holiday makers could affect businesses that already find it difficult to recruit staff. Seasonal workers can be especially important in regional destinations, where the local population may not be large enough to meet temporary increases in labour demand.

Cook and industry representatives have argued that federal migration settings should take regional workforce requirements into account. They say a national policy designed to manage migration numbers needs to recognise that different states and industries have different employment needs.

Government's position on visa reform

The federal government has presented changes to working holiday arrangements as part of its broader effort to manage migration and maintain the integrity of the visa program. A ballot system would determine access to a limited number of places for eligible applicants seeking to extend their stay.

However, details about how the system would operate and how it might affect individual industries remain important concerns for employers. Tourism businesses want sufficient clarity to plan staffing, accommodation and operations ahead of peak visitor periods.

The disagreement reflects a wider policy challenge for Canberra: balancing migration management with the need to supply workers to industries that depend on temporary labour.

Other state leaders have also expressed concerns about the possible economic effects of tighter migration settings. Regional businesses argue that reductions in available workers could affect service levels, operating capacity and local visitor spending.

Potential economic implications

Tourism is an important source of employment and business activity across Western Australia, including in destinations outside Perth. If employers cannot recruit enough staff during busy periods, some businesses could face increased costs, reduced operating hours or difficulty meeting visitor demand.

The extent of any impact will depend on the final visa arrangements, the number of eligible workers available and whether employers can recruit from other sources. The proposed changes do not automatically mean every business will experience a shortage, but they have prompted concern among industry representatives.

Cook's intervention adds to ongoing debate over how federal migration policy should account for regional economic conditions. Western Australia's position is that visa rules should be designed with the needs of tourism operators and other employers in mind, particularly where seasonal labour is essential.

The federal government has not agreed to abandon the proposed changes. The issue remains a point of discussion between state and federal leaders as Australia seeks to balance migration policy, workforce availability and the needs of regional industries.