Joint Statement from Regional Queensland Chambers of Commerce
This joint statement has been provided to the Prime Minister, the Federal Treasurer and the Federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for consideration as the Government reviews the Working Holiday Maker program.
Regional Queensland Needs More Workers, Not Fewer
The Chambers of Commerce representing businesses across Central, North and Far North Queensland are united in expressing our deep concern regarding proposed changes to Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa program and are calling on the Federal Government to undertake a full review of these changes before they are implemented.
Our regions are fundamentally different from Australia’s major metropolitan centres.
Workforce shortages continue to constrain business growth, housing delivery, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure development and investment across regional Queensland. Working Holiday Makers have become an essential part of the workforce that enables many businesses to operate, grow and employ local staff.
For regional Queensland, this is not simply an immigration issue. It is a workforce issue, an economic issue and a community sustainability issue.
Businesses across hospitality, tourism, agriculture, retail, construction, transport and service industries rely heavily on Working Holiday Makers to fill positions that cannot consistently be sourced from local labour markets. In many communities, these workers help keep restaurants open, tourism operators running, farms productive and construction projects progressing.
The experience of the COVID-19 border closures demonstrated just how dependent regional economies have become on this workforce. When access to international workers stopped, businesses throughout Queensland faced acute labour shortages, reduced operating hours, delayed investment decisions, lost revenue and increased pressure on existing staff.
We are concerned that any reduction in access to Working Holiday Makers will once again place regional businesses in an untenable position at a time when workforce challenges remain significant.
Importantly, regional business communities have long argued that the current system requires reform, but not in a way that reduces workforce supply. Many employers have advocated for a review of the existing 88-day regional work requirement, noting that businesses invest heavily in recruiting and training workers only to lose them shortly after they become productive. We believe policy settings should encourage workers to remain in regional communities longer, delivering greater benefits for employers, workers and local economies alike.
We also believe the Government should review the current classifications of regional and remote Australia to ensure they reflect the realities of today’s labour markets and workforce needs.
At a time when governments are seeking to accelerate housing construction, deliver major infrastructure projects, support tourism growth and improve productivity, it is difficult to understand how restricting access to an established and proven workforce stream will help achieve these objectives.
Regional Queensland is already facing critical shortages across skilled and unskilled occupations. These challenges are particularly evident in the trades, hospitality, tourism and agricultural sectors. Policies that further constrain labour supply will only increase pressure on businesses, slow economic growth and reduce the capacity of regional communities to realise their full potential.
We acknowledge the Federal Government’s broader migration objectives; however, any changes must recognise the unique circumstances facing regional Australia. A one size-fits-all approach risks creating unintended consequences for communities that already struggle to attract and retain workers.
The Chambers of Commerce across Central, North and Far North Queensland therefore call on the Federal Government to:
- Pause and review the proposed changes to the Working Holiday Maker visa program.
- Undertake meaningful consultation with regional business communities before implementing any reforms.
- Review the 88-day regional work requirement to encourage workers to remain in regional areas for longer.
- Reassess regional and remote area classifications to better reflect workforce realities.
- Ensure migration policy settings support regional workforce needs and economic growth.
- Develop long-term workforce solutions that attract both skilled and unskilled workers to regional Australia.
Regional Queensland is driving economic growth across agriculture, tourism, resources, construction and emerging industries. To sustain that growth, our businesses need access to a reliable workforce.
We urge the Federal Government to work collaboratively with regional business leaders to ensure any visa reforms strengthen, rather than weaken, the communities and industries that are helping power Australia’s economy.
Yours Sincerely,
Cairns Chamber of Commerce
Capricornia Chamber of Commerce
Cloncurry Commerce
Commerce North West
Gladstone Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism
Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce
Mareeba Chamber of Commerce
Townsville Chamber of Commerce
Western Cape Chamber of Commerce
Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry
What We’re Hearing, What We’re Doing