South Australia is in the middle of the biggest, longest economic build-up in its history. Submarines, a growing space sector, a $15.4 billion tunnel, a new children's hospital, a copper boom, a steelworks transformation and one of the country's largest renewable energy pipelines are all under way at once — and all competing for the same pool of skilled workers.

What's driving South Australia's skills shortage?

South Australia's project pipeline isn't limited to one or two headline builds. It spans defence, transport, health, mining, energy and water infrastructure, much of it planned out to the 2030s and beyond.

• AUKUS submarine construction at Osborne — a multi-decade defence build
• The Torrens to Darlington (T2D) tunnel and the new Women's and Children's Hospital — the state's two current "generational" infrastructure projects
• A growing space industry centred on Adelaide
• Olympic Dam's copper expansion and the Oak Dam prospect
• The transformation of the Whyalla Steelworks
• A $32.5 billion pipeline of renewable energy and hydrogen projects
• The proposed Northern Water desalination and pipeline project

Each of these draws on largely the same trades, engineering and professional workforce as the rest of the state's economy.

Why does this matter right now?

Seven of the world's top 10 defence companies already have a presence in South Australia, supported by more than 400 local SMEs delivering across maritime, aerospace, land, systems and cyber work.

On the transport side, more than 120,000 vehicles a day already use the roads the T2D Project will replace.

And the state's own 2026-27 Budget describes the T2D tunnel and the new Women's and Children's Hospital as the two "generational" projects driving a deliberate, temporary increase in government debt while they're delivered.

These are not small, isolated builds. Together they are large enough to reshape where the state's skilled workforce ends up for the next 20 years.

South Australia's project pipeline, sector by sector

1. AUKUS and the Osborne shipyard

Delivering SSN-AUKUS submarines requires a major, sustained increase in South Australia's defence engineering and construction workforce. The Commonwealth has now committed $8.5 billion to the Osborne Submarine Construction Yard alone, with construction of Australia's first SSN-AUKUS due to begin by the end of this decade and the first Australian-built boat expected in the early 2040s. 

This is a multi-decade program, not a short-term construction job.

Skills in demand: mechanical, electrical, mechatronics and systems engineers; naval architects; project and construction managers; welders, metal fabricators, fitters and machinists; electricians; quality assurance and safety professionals; ICT and cybersecurity specialists; supply chain and procurement specialists.

2. T2D and the new Women's and Children's Hospital — SA's two "generational" projects

The T2D Project is estimated at $15.4 billion and will deliver 10.5 kilometres of non-stop motorway, including twin three-lane tunnels making up more than half the route, with full completion planned for 2031.

As of 2026, the project has three large-scale tunnel boring machines excavating simultaneously — the first time this has happened on an Australian road project.

Alongside it, the new Women's and Children's Hospital is the state's other generational build, with the 2026-27 Budget continuing investment in both projects as its two largest capital commitments.

Skills in demand: civil, structural and geotechnical engineers; surveyors; construction and project managers; quantity surveyors; tunnel specialists; electricians; plant and heavy vehicle operators; construction trades; and, for the hospital build, healthcare facility planners alongside the usual construction workforce.

3. Health infrastructure beyond Adelaide

The hospital build isn't limited to the new Women's and Children's Hospital in the city.

The 2026-27 Budget also funds a new medical education and training facility next to Mount Gambier Hospital, upgrades to the maternity, birthing and renal services at Murray Bridge Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, a new emergency department at Clare Hospital, and a business case for a proposed new Greater Northern Adelaide Hospital.

Skills in demand: registered nurses, doctors and medical specialists, allied health professionals, paramedics and health managers, plus the construction trades needed to deliver the facilities themselves.

4. South Australia's space industry

South Australia is home to Australia's civil space sector, including the Australian Space Agency and more than 100 space-related organisations, with the South Australian Space Industry Centre leading state industry development.

Skills in demand: aerospace and satellite engineers, systems engineers, and digital and software specialists — a segment in short supply globally, not just in South Australia.

5. Olympic Dam, Oak Dam and the copper opportunity

BHP is investing more than $840 million in growth-enabling projects at its existing Olympic Dam, Prominent Hill and Carrapateena mines, alongside continuing exploration at Oak Dam, as part of a strategy to potentially double South Australian copper production by the mid-2030s.

BHP is also progressing a proposed smelter and refinery expansion at Olympic Dam, with a final investment decision targeted for the first half of the 2026-27 financial year.

Skills in demand: mining and process engineers, mining geologists, metallurgists, environmental professionals, surveyors, heavy diesel mechanics, fitters, electricians, plant operators and project managers.

6. Whyalla and the future of green steel

The South Australian and Australian Governments placed the former owner of the Whyalla Steelworks into administration to secure its future, and in May 2026 shortlisted two final bidders for its sale, backed by up to $1.9 billion in joint government investment to modernise the site into a low-emissions facility.

Skills in demand: metallurgical, mechanical and process engineers, welders, fitters, metal fabricators, electricians, plant operators and industrial technicians.

7. Renewable energy, hydrogen and the energy transition

South Australia now has a $32.5 billion pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects under construction, under assessment or approved, spanning wind, solar, battery storage, transmission and hydrogen.

Skills in demand: electrical, mechanical, civil and power systems engineers, environmental engineers, electrical technicians, mechanical fitters, welders, plant operators, construction and project managers.

8. Northern Water

The proposed Northern Water Project would build a large-scale desalination plant and a pipeline of around 400 kilometres to supply industry in the Upper Spencer Gulf and Far North, including future copper and hydrogen development.

Skills in demand: civil, water and hydraulic engineers, environmental engineers and scientists, project and construction managers, electricians, pipefitters and surveyors.

9. Regional South Australia

Not all of this activity is in Adelaide. The Upper Spencer Gulf (Whyalla and Port Augusta) is building an industrial and energy hub around steel, hydrogen and mining supply chains. The Far North, around Olympic Dam and Roxby Downs, centres on copper, uranium and mining services. The Limestone Coast, Murraylands and Mid North are seeing steady demand across health, education, agriculture and regional construction. South Australia's Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream exists specifically to support this kind of regional demand.

The occupations these projects need most

Reading through every project above, the same kinds of jobs keep coming up. Here is a simple summary of the occupations South Australia's major projects need most, grouped together so you can see where your own skills might fit.

• Engineering: civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, mining, mechatronics and systems engineers
• Construction and trades: construction managers, surveyors, electricians, welders, fitters, plant operators, tunnel specialists
• Health: registered nurses, doctors and medical specialists, allied health professionals, paramedics
• Project delivery: project managers, quantity surveyors, safety and quality assurance professionals
• Digital and cyber: ICT specialists, cybersecurity professionals, software and systems engineers
• Education: teachers and trainers, needed as the population and workforce grow

If your occupation appears in one or more of these groups, South Australia is worth serious consideration — but remember that economic demand for a skill is not the same as visa eligibility. The two need to be checked separately.

Matching South Australia's projects to its migration priorities

For the 2025-26 General Skilled Migration program, South Australia is prioritising six sectors: Building and Construction, Defence, Education, Engineering, Health and Manufacturing.

The overlap with the project pipeline above is direct:

• AUKUS and shipbuilding — Defence, Engineering, Manufacturing
• T2D and Northern Water — Building & Construction, Engineering
• Olympic Dam, Oak Dam and Whyalla — Engineering, Manufacturing
• Renewable energy and hydrogen — Engineering, Building & Construction, Manufacturing
• Hospitals and regional health — Health, Building & Construction
• Growth-driven demand for teachers and trainers — Education

Important: South Australia's occupation lists and nomination settings can change between program years, so being in a priority sector does not automatically mean a specific occupation will qualify for state nomination at any given time.

South Australia's broader priorities

Beyond migration settings, the state government's own 2026-27 Budget frames health, education, skills, housing and infrastructure as the core priorities it is investing behind.

The Premier has separately pointed to AUKUS-driven jobs and the state's copper resources as key long-term drivers of growth and prosperity, alongside a continued push on renewable energy. This broader strategic direction is what sits behind the specific projects and migration priorities described above — South Australia isn't simply reacting to short-term shortages, it's building industries intended to need skilled people for decades.

What visa pathways can help?

South Australia can nominate eligible skilled migrants for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), a direct pathway to permanent residence, or the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) for those willing to live and work in regional South Australia.

For employers, standard employer sponsored visa pathways may apply, and eligible employers may also be able to access concessions under South Australia's Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA), which the state is currently renegotiating into a new five-year agreement with the Commonwealth.

Which pathway makes sense depends on the occupation, the employer's circumstances and the applicant's individual profile — economic demand in an industry does not automatically translate into visa eligibility.

What should you do if you're short-staffed?

If your business is losing staff to bigger projects, or struggling to hire in engineering, construction, defence, mining, energy or healthcare, act before the shortage gets worse.

• Map your current and upcoming roles against South Australia's occupation lists and priority sectors
• Check whether your business is eligible to sponsor skilled migrants directly
• Look into DAMA concessions if you're in a sector or region they cover
• Start the sponsorship process early — visa processing takes time, and demand for skilled labour is only rising

Waiting until a project deadline is close to source talent puts you at a disadvantage against employers who started planning months earlier.

Can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Yes. South Australia's major projects will only succeed on schedule if the workforce behind them arrives on time, and that depends on getting migration right. Work Visa Lawyers helps South Australian employers build a practical, compliant plan to fill skill shortages with migrant workers, and helps skilled migrants understand where they stand under the current rules.

• Employer sponsored visa advice
• Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) sponsorship
• Skilled migration strategy for engineering, construction, defence, mining, energy and health roles
• Guidance on current visa processing priorities, so you know what to expect and how to plan around it
• Sponsorship compliance and ongoing obligations

Getting your sponsorship strategy right early gives you a real advantage while South Australia's major projects are competing for the same workforce, and while the migration rules themselves keep changing.

Talk to an Immigration Lawyer

FAQ: South Australia's Big Projects and Skills Needs

Why is South Australia short of skilled workers right now?

South Australia is running several large projects at once, including AUKUS submarine construction, the T2D tunnel and new Women's and Children's Hospital, a growing space sector, an expanding copper industry and a $32.5 billion renewable energy pipeline. These projects draw heavily on the same skilled workforce the rest of the state's economy also needs, leaving many mid-sized and smaller employers short-staffed.

What is AUKUS and how does it affect South Australian jobs?

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership under which South Australia will build nuclear-powered submarines at Osborne. The Commonwealth has now committed $8.5 billion to the construction yard alone, and the program is expected to create a multi-decade demand for engineers, tradespeople and technicians.

What are South Australia's two 'generational' infrastructure projects?

The T2D tunnel and the new Women's and Children's Hospital are described by the state government as its two current generational projects, both drawing heavily on construction, engineering and (for the hospital) health-facility skills.

How does South Australia's project pipeline match its skilled migration priorities?

South Australia's published priority sectors for 2025-26 are Building and Construction, Defence, Education, Engineering, Health and Manufacturing. Nearly every major project on the state's pipeline — from AUKUS to the copper industry to renewable energy — sits within one or more of these sectors.

Can small and medium South Australian businesses sponsor skilled migrants?

Yes. Eligible South Australian employers can sponsor skilled migrants directly, and some may also access concessions through South Australia's Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

Have Australia's visa processing rules changed recently?

Yes. From 25 July 2026, Ministerial Direction 119 changed the order in which skilled visa applications are processed, giving the highest priority to defence and law-enforcement occupations, then construction, healthcare and teaching occupations for applicants already in Australia. It does not change who is eligible for a visa, only the order applications are looked at.

Does being an Accredited Sponsor still speed up visa processing in South Australia?

Not on its own. Under Ministerial Direction 119, Accredited Sponsor status and regional employer location are no longer standalone priority factors, which is an important change for South Australian regional employers who may have relied on this in the past.

How can Work Visa Lawyers help my business find skilled workers?

Work Visa Lawyers can assess your sponsorship options, including DAMA concessions, explain how current processing priorities affect your timeline, and manage your skilled migration strategy end to end. Talk to an Immigration Lawyer to get started.

Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules and state nomination requirements can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.

REFERENCE LIST

1. https://statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/trade-international-investment/tistrategy/defence-and-space — Department of State Development — AUKUS, defence and space sector overview and figures

2. https://www.asa.gov.au/projects/osborne-submarine-construction-yard — Australian Submarine Agency — Osborne Submarine Construction Yard timeline

3. https://defencesa.com/news-events-and-media/news/multi-billion-investment-in-new-submarine-construction-yard/ — Defence SA — $8.5 billion Commonwealth investment in the Osborne Submarine Construction Yard

4. https://www.t2d.sa.gov.au/about — T2D Project (Dept for Infrastructure and Transport) — project scope and cost

5. https://www.t2d.sa.gov.au/project-map — T2D Project — tunnel length and route detail

6. https://www.t2d.sa.gov.au/ — T2D Project construction portal — current construction status (tunnel boring machines)

7. https://dit.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/projects/river-torrens-to-darlington — Department for Infrastructure and Transport — North-South Corridor congestion figures

8. https://treasury.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1419036/2026-27-Budget-Statement.pdf — SA Treasury — 2026-27 Budget Statement (T2D and new WCH as generational projects)

9. https://statebudget.sa.gov.au/our-budget/health — SA State Budget 2026-27 — Health infrastructure investment (Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Clare)

10. https://statebudget.sa.gov.au/our-budget/budget-overview — SA State Budget 2026-27 — Budget overview and government priorities

11. https://www.space.gov.au/ — Australian Space Agency — national space sector context

12. https://sasic.sa.gov.au/ — South Australian Space Industry Centre — state space sector development

13. https://www.bhp.com/news/articles/2025/10/bhp-investing-to-boost-olympic-dam-operations — BHP — Olympic Dam growth-enabling investment and copper production plans

14. https://www.bhp.com/news/media-centre/releases/2024/08/bhp-takes-next-step-in-smelter-and-refinery-expansion-at-copper-south-australia — BHP — Olympic Dam smelter and refinery expansion (Oak Dam context)

15. https://www.energymining.sa.gov.au/home/news/latest/final-bidders-shortlisted-in-sale-of-whyalla-steelworks — SA Dept of Energy and Mining — Whyalla Steelworks sale and modernisation investment

16. https://www.energymining.sa.gov.au/industry/hydrogen-and-renewable-energy/leading-the-green-economy — SA Dept of Energy and Mining — $32.5 billion renewable energy project pipeline

17. https://www.northernwater.sa.gov.au/project-overview — Northern Water Project — official project overview

18. https://migration.sa.gov.au/before-applying/visa-options-and-pathways/skilled-migrants/moving-to-south-australia-from-overseas — Migration SA — 2025-26 skilled migration priority sectors

19. https://migration.sa.gov.au/before-applying/visa-options-and-pathways/skilled-migrants/outer-regional-skilled-employment — Migration SA — Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream and occupation caveat

20. https://migration.sa.gov.au/before-applying/visa-options-and-pathways/employer-sponsored-visas — Migration SA — employer sponsored visa pathways

21. https://migration.sa.gov.au/employer-hub/dama — Migration SA — Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) overview

22. https://migration.sa.gov.au/news/damas-extension — Migration SA — DAMA extension and new statewide agreement negotiation

23. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/visa-processing-priorities/skilled-visa — Department of Home Affairs — Ministerial Direction 119 skilled visa processing priorities (effective 25 July 2026)

In 2021, JD Sheard moved from Canada to Adelaide on Australia's Global Talent visa, after two decades of scaling businesses across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. This included growing a multinational technology and engineering services company from 100 to more than 1,800 employees across four countries.

His story provides a clear, real-world example of the distinct advantages that the National Innovation Visa (NIV)—the pathway that replaced the Global Talent visa—brings to the state. Unlike traditional skilled migration, high-calibre individuals like JD generate compounding economic impacts by bringing exceptional skills to build things that did not previously exist in Australia.

Specifically, JD’s transition to South Australia has delivered the following major benefits:

• Personally invested significant funds to launch Eastend Ventures, South Australia's first registered Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership (ESVCLP) of its kind.
• Helping first-time founders, young people, and repeat entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground in catered-for markets outside of Sydney and Melbourne.
• Driving employment demand in high-value, knowledge-intensive sectors such as software engineering, AI, cybersecurity, and defence technology.
• Fostering the commercialisation of genuinely innovative products, from construction technology to AI infrastructure, and expanding South Australia's export potential.
• Drawing more than $25 million for Eastend Ventures Fund 1, including a $5 million commitment from the South Australian Government’s investment corporation, Funds SA.
• Driving company growth and hiring that ultimately flows through into broader taxable income over time

What is the National Innovation Visa?

When JD applied, the pathway was known as the Global Talent visa. That program has since become the National Innovation Visa (subclass 858), a permanent visa for people with an internationally recognised record of outstanding achievement in their field. South Australian state nomination for the NIV is aimed at high-calibre, high-performing individuals who can drive innovation, productivity, and growth in the state.

How does this compare to other migration pathways?

Most skilled migration to Australia fills a specific, single role. While valuable, general skilled migration and employer-sponsored visas tie the visa holder to an individual position, meaning they cannot easily start new ventures, back other founders, or move capital into the local economy at scale.

The National Innovation Visa works differently. Because it isn't tied to a single employer, a visa holder like JD can found a company, sit on multiple boards, and direct capital into other people's ventures simultaneously. The visa is designed for individuals whose contribution is not just a single job, but a multiplying body of ongoing economic activity.

Concrete Proof: Why JD is a Model for the NIV

It's easy to talk about a visa category in the abstract, but JD's career since arriving in Adelaide shows in concrete terms what a single high-calibre migrant can bring to a state economy.

A remarkable, formally recognised record of achievement

JD's qualifications and career achievements are exactly the kind of internationally recognised, top-of-field profile the National Innovation Visa is designed to identify.

• An MBA in Finance and a Company Directors Course qualification (GAICD) from the Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Harvard Business School Online certificates in Alternative Investments and Financial Accounting
• A commercial pilot licence, held alongside a full-time executive career
• Leadership of a multinational company's growth from 100 to more than 1,800 employees across four countries, including the creation of some of the oil and gas industry's earliest widely adopted SaaS, IoT, AI and machine learning products, adopted by Fortune 500 companies as early clients

It's an unusually broad combination — deep technical and digital transformation experience, formal financial and governance qualifications, and a demonstrated ability to scale a business internationally. That breadth is precisely what the National Innovation Visa's 'exceptional and outstanding achievement' test looks for.

He leads a venture capital firm putting money into Australian startups

In 2023, JD co-founded Eastend Ventures with Josh Garratt to back early-stage, high-growth B2B technology companies.

Eastend Ventures Fund 1 became South Australia's first Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership (ESVCLP), reaching a $13 million first close in June 2025 on its way to a $50 million target.

His own investment is drawing in further capital for South Australia

JD and his co-founder have put more than $2 million of their own money into Fund 1 — a direct personal stake that gave other investors confidence to follow.

That confidence is compounding: Funds SA's Chief Investment Officer described the Eastend partnership as helping the state access a more diverse pipeline of investment opportunities, including those emerging from South Australia itself.

Every dollar Fund 1 raises is a dollar that wasn't available to South Australian startups before Eastend Ventures existed. As the fund grows toward its $50 million target, so does its capacity to back more local businesses — meaning JD's influence on the state's investment landscape compounds well beyond his own initial contribution, with knock-on benefits for the wider Australian economy as the companies he backs grow, hire and eventually attract further national and international investment.

He's helping create employment for Australians

Fund 1 is targeted at up to 30 early-stage portfolio companies, and has already backed local businesses including Heatseeker, Priori Analytica and the tradie app Jack.

Every one of those companies hires locally as it grows. That's a direct, compounding employment effect that a single skilled employee in a single role can't replicate on the same scale.

He's backing an overlooked part of Australia's startup ecosystem

Most Australian venture capital flows to Sydney and Melbourne. Eastend Ventures was deliberately built to invest in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland instead — states that together receive a small share of national VC investment.

This wasn't the first fund JD backed either — through Virtca Capital he had already deployed an earlier $3 million fund into early-stage companies before Eastend Ventures existed.

A hands-on presence connecting SA to the world

JD remains an active member of the Adelaide-based angel investor network, Southern Angels, and serves as a Non-Executive Director for South Australian technology companies Optible AI and JACK App. Through Eastend, JD also assists SA businesses with expansion into the US, Canada, and the UK, allowing South Australian intellectual property to generate revenue from international markets while retaining local operations.

What JD's story says about Australia's opportunity

JD Sheard’s story highlights the structural economic benefits the National Innovation Visa is designed to deliver. Rather than simply filling a single workforce vacancy, JD addressed a structural shortage in the South Australian economy: early-stage capital and scaling networks for innovative companies.

His work demonstrates the true potential of the visa pathway as an economic multiplier—where exceptional individuals launch ventures, attract institutional capital, mentor local founders, create high-skilled jobs, and drive long-term tax revenue for the state.

Work Visa Lawyers prepared JD's application by matching his international track record to the Global Talent pathway. If a path like JD's sounds like it could be yours, that's a conversation worth having early—well before you've locked in a move, and while there's still time to build the strongest possible case.

Complete the free NIV assessment

Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules and state nomination requirements can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.

PR & News References

• South Australia Government: National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) eligibility and nomination categories
• Department of Home Affairs: Federal National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) visa listing
• Eastend Ventures: Funds SA's $5 million investment in Eastend Ventures Fund 1 (June 2026)
• Eastend Ventures: Eastend Ventures Fund 1 first close announcement
• Capital Brief: Eastend Ventures becomes Adelaide's first ESVCLP after raising $13m
• Startup Daily: South Australia has a new early-stage VC fund to back B2B startups
• Startup Daily: Adelaide VC Eastend Ventures lands $5 million from Funds SA
• InDaily: Eastend Ventures becomes South Australia's first ESVCLP

Australia's Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program is changing. Backpackers who want to stay for a second or third year will now have to enter a ballot. But here is the part that is being overlooked: backpackers still have to complete 88 days of regional work before entering that ballot. They do all the hard work. Then they wait. And many of them will get nothing in return. That is worth examining carefully.

What Is the Working Holiday Maker Program?

The Working Holiday (Subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visas let young people from eligible countries visit Australia for up to one year. They can work to fund their trip. If they want to extend their stay, they need to complete a set amount of regional work in qualifying industries such as agriculture, fishing, and some regional hospitality roles.

Until now, completing 88 days of regional work almost guaranteed a second-year visa. Completing six months of regional work in the second year gave backpackers access to a third year. The ballot removes that guarantee. Completely.

What Did Tony Burke Announce on 17 September 2026?

Immigration Minister Tony Burke announced the ballot system at the National Press Club. Here is how it works:

• Year two: 45,000 ballot places — down from 57,000 who qualified last year. The 88-day regional work requirement still applies before entry into the ballot.

• Year three: just 5,000 ballot places — down from 31,000 who qualified last year. The six-month regional work requirement still applies.

• UK backpackers are excluded from the ballot entirely under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement. They do not need the regional work requirement either.

• The changes can be implemented by ministerial direction and regulation — not legislation.

• The changes form part of a plan to bring net overseas migration from 292,000 down to 225,000 by 2028.

Working Holiday Visa Ballot Problem

Under the new system, backpackers still have to do all the regional work. Every bit of it. They still have to spend 88 days on farms, in fisheries, or in qualifying regional roles. The work is physically demanding. It is often in remote areas. It takes months out of their travels.

But after all of that work, they go into a ballot. And a ballot means they might not win a visa at all.

Last year, 57,000 backpackers stayed for a second year. Under the ballot, only 45,000 places are available. That means roughly 12,000 people who complete all the required regional work could still miss out on a second-year visa.

For the third year, the shortfall is even more stark. Last year, 31,000 backpackers qualified. Under the ballot, only 5,000 places exist — a reduction of more than 80%.

You work for months in regional Australia. You do the jobs that Australians often will not do. Then you might get nothing. That is the reality of this ballot.

Why This Kills the Motivation to Do Regional Work

Immigration lawyer Chris Johnston, principal of Work Visa Lawyers, sees the problem clearly.

"The likely result of the ballot will be 200,000 backpackers in Australia and almost none of them want to do the regional work anymore. The uncertainty of the ballot will remove motivation."

— Chris Johnston, Immigration Lawyer, Work Visa Lawyers

The old system worked because the incentive was direct and certain. Complete 88 days → get a second-year visa. Almost always. That certainty was exactly why backpackers were willing to travel to remote farms and do hard physical work.

The ballot breaks that link. Why would you spend three months doing difficult work in regional Australia if there is a real chance you still won't get the visa? The answer, for many backpackers, will simply be: you won't.

On the morning of Burke's press conference, Work Visa Lawyers received a call from a backpacker who had just heard the news. The question was immediate: if the ballot means I might not get a second-year visa anyway, what other options do I have? That question tells you everything about what this ballot does to motivation.

Backpackers Are Already Saying No — and Social Media Shows It

That phone call to our office was not an isolated reaction. Across Facebook groups and online communities dedicated to working holiday makers in Australia, backpackers responded to the announcement almost immediately. The dominant sentiment was not confusion. It was a decision.

Post after post across groups with tens of thousands of members said the same thing: if completing the 88 days, or 6 months, of regional work no longer guarantees a second-year visa, I am not going to do it. Why would I spend three months on a remote farm for a lottery ticket?

This Is Worse Than the Pause That Came Before

Before September 17, the government had quietly suspended WHM visa applications from 24 countries and slowed processing times across the board. The industry called it a crisis.

But the ballot is arguably worse. Here is why.

The pause stopped new people from entering Australia on WHM visas. But backpackers already in Australia on their first-year visa still had a reason to do the regional work. The second-year visa was still achievable if you put in the time.

The ballot changes the situation for people already in the country. It tells backpackers currently working their way through regional Australia: you can complete the regional work, but we might not give you a visa for it. The work requirement has not changed. The guarantee has gone.

Is This Exploitative? Let's Ask the Question.

The Working Holiday Maker program was designed for cultural exchange. Young people experience Australia. Australia gets seasonal labour. The deal was always implied: do the hard regional work, get the extra time in the country. That implied deal is now broken on the government's side.

We know the original system already had serious problems. The Fair Work Ombudsman's 2016 inquiry into the 417 visa program — which surveyed more than 4,000 overseas workers — found that 66% felt their employer was taking advantage of them. Some 35% believed they were paid less than minimum wage. Fourteen per cent had to pay in advance to get regional work. Six per cent had to pay an employer to sign off their 88 days.

The power imbalance between employers and backpackers chasing visa days was real, documented, and serious.

The ballot does not improve that dynamic. It makes it worse. A backpacker who has done their 88 days and is now waiting on a ballot result has even less leverage than before. They completed the requirement. They are not sure they will win the visa. An employer who knows a backpacker is desperate — and not certain they will win the ballot anyway — has even more power over them, not less.

Requiring the work while removing the reward is not a balanced system. It is one where the worker carries all the risk.

Was Anyone Actually Consulted?

At the National Press Club on September 17, Tony Burke presented the ballot as part of a measured plan to manage migration numbers. But how many backpackers were consulted before this was announced? How many received a phone call, a survey, or an invitation to comment?

The Tourism and Transport Forum told the Australian Financial Review that the industry had been "blindsided" by the changes. "All we would have liked was for government to consult us while they were thinking about this," TTF CEO Margy Osmond said.

The National Farmers' Federation also called for "urgent" consultation before any further changes — after the fact, not before. If peak industry bodies that depend on these workers were not consulted, it is reasonable to assume the workers themselves — the backpackers — were not either.

This was a policy decision made about them, not with them.

There Is a More Logical Approach

If the goal is to reduce the overall number of Working Holiday Makers in Australia, there is a simpler way to do it.

Reduce the number of first-year WHM visa grants. That controls total numbers at the point of entry. But leave the second and third year incentives intact. Keep the direct link between completing regional work and receiving the extension visa. Backpackers already in Australia still have a clear reason to do the regional work. Farms and hospitality businesses keep their workforce. And the deal remains honest: work the days, get the visa.

The ballot, by contrast, breaks the deal for people already here. It removes the motivation from workers already in the country and already willing to do the work. That is the wrong target and the wrong tool.

What Should You Do If You Are a Backpacker Right Now?

If you are currently in Australia on a first-year Subclass 417 or 462 visa, here is what to keep in mind.

• The ballot is not yet in place. No commencement date has been published. Rules made by ministerial direction can change.

• If you are already doing or planning your 88-day regional work, do not stop based on uncertainty alone. The situation is still evolving.

• Speak to an immigration lawyer before making decisions about your regional work or alternative visa pathways.

• There may be other visa options available depending on your nationality, skills, and situation.

• Do not assume the ballot is the end of the road. Get advice specific to your circumstances.

Can Work Visa Lawyers Help?

Yes. If you are a backpacker on a Subclass 417 or 462 visa and you are worried about what the ballot means for your plans, Work Visa Lawyers can help. Our team — including principal immigration lawyer Chris Johnston — understands this program in detail and is already hearing from backpackers affected by the uncertainty.

We can review your individual situation, explain your options, and help you find a path forward that makes sense for you. Contact us for an appointment.

Talk to an Immigration Lawyer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the backpacker ballot and when does it start?

The ballot is a new system for second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas. Backpackers must still complete regional work, but they then enter a draw rather than automatically receiving a visa. Second-year places are capped at 45,000. Third-year places are capped at 5,000. No start date has been announced yet.

Do I still need to do 88 days of regional work if there is a ballot?

Yes. The 88-day requirement for a second-year visa still applies. The six-month requirement for a third-year visa still applies. The ballot does not remove those requirements — it just means completing them no longer guarantees a visa.

Does the ballot affect UK backpackers?

No. UK working holiday makers are excluded from the ballot under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement. They are also not required to complete regional work to extend their stay. This applies only to UK passport holders.

Why would I bother doing the regional work if the ballot means I might not get a visa?

That is exactly the question being asked by backpackers right now. The ballot removes the certainty that made the regional work worthwhile. Many backpackers will decide it is not worth the risk. That is the core flaw in this policy — it removes motivation for the very work requirement it still demands.

What happens if I do the regional work but don't win the ballot?

You will not receive a second or third-year visa through that pathway. Depending on your nationality, skills, and circumstances, you may have other options. A migration lawyer can advise you on what alternatives exist for your specific situation.

Is there any legal challenge to the ballot system?

The changes are being made by ministerial direction and regulation rather than legislation. That means they can be changed more quickly, in either direction. No legal challenge has been announced at this stage. Check the Department of Home Affairs website and speak to an immigration lawyer for the latest developments.

Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules and state nomination requirements can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.

On 17 September 2026, Immigration Minister Tony Burke announced major changes to Australia's Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program.

The centrepiece is a ballot system for backpackers wanting a second or third year.

Both agriculture and hospitality sectors depend heavily on Working Holiday Makers to fill seasonal roles that Australians consistently leave vacant. Without them, the workforce gaps do not fix themselves — they just grow.

If the ballot is introduced, this will reduce the incentive to do regional work.

How do we know that the ballot is going to reduce the incentive to do regional work?

As soon as the announcement was finished, the first phone call we received in our office was from a backpacker saying "I'm not going to do the ballot. What other options are there?".

After Tony Burke's announcement, Chris Johnston and Tajinder Kaur, immigration lawyers, did a live stream on YouTube explaining all the changes announced and answering some questions we received about it. You can check the video here.

What Is the Working Holiday Maker Program?

The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program lets young people from eligible countries visit Australia for up to one year. They can work to fund their travels.

If they complete 88 days of regional work in their first year — in industries like agriculture, fishing, and some regional hospitality roles — they can apply for a second-year visa (Subclass 417 or 462).

If they complete six months of regional work in their second year, they can apply for a third year.

For decades, this system gave farms and regional hospitality businesses a reliable seasonal workforce. That has now fundamentally changed.

What Did Tony Burke Announce on 17 September 2026?

Burke announced the following key changes at the National Press Club:

• A ballot for year-two WHM visas, capped at 45,000 places — down from 57,000 who qualified last year.

• A ballot for year-three WHM visas, capped at just 5,000 places — down from 31,000 last year.

• Processing times for WHM applications stabilised at three months.

• UK backpackers excluded from the ballot under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement.

• The changes form part of a plan to reduce net overseas migration from around 292,000 to 225,000 by 2028.

The Ballot Removes the Motivation to Do Regional Work

There is a problem at the heart of this policy that no one in government appears to have thought through: the ballot does not just reduce numbers. It removes the reason backpackers do the regional work in the first place.

Immigration lawyer Chris Johnston, principal of Work Visa Lawyers, is direct about where this leads.

"The likely result of the ballot will be 200,000 backpackers in Australia and almost none of them want to do the regional work anymore. The uncertainty of the ballot will remove motivation."

— Chris Johnston, Immigration Lawyer, Work Visa Lawyers

The logic is simple. If completing 88 days of regional work no longer guarantees a second year, why do it? And why would anyone commit to six months of regional work for a third year when only 5,000 places exist — down from 31,000 last year — and the odds of winning the ballot are close to nothing?

The old system worked because the incentive was certain. Complete 88 days of regional work → get a second year. Almost guaranteed. The ballot breaks that link entirely. And it is worth remembering: Australians already do not want most of these regional jobs. That is why the WHM program exists in the first place. Removing the motivation for backpackers to do the same work does not make those roles more appealing to locals.

What the Numbers Mean for Farms

The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) has put the numbers into sharp relief. Working Holiday Makers fill about one in seven farm jobs across Australia — making up around 44% of the horticulture workforce, 31% of the grains sector, 26% of red meat workers, and 25% of cotton workers.

The cut to the third-year ballot is more than 80%. Last year, 31,000 backpackers stayed for a third year. Under the ballot, only 5,000 places are available.

NFF President Hamish McIntyre called it a "low blow for farmers." The government's unilateral slowdown on WHM visas, he said, had "already caused havoc across agriculture ahead of the busiest time of year for food and fibre production."

NFF Executive Officer Richard Shannon took direct aim at the government's framing of the changes as a response to housing pressures. "Nothing in the changes to specified work or Working Holiday Maker settings does anything to build a single house," he said. "Backpackers doing harvest work in regional Australia are not the cause of housing shortages in our capital cities. They are the reason fruit gets picked, packed and onto supermarket shelves."

The federation warned that harvests are already underway in parts of Queensland and the warning is clear: food prices will rise if farms cannot get the workers they need in time.

Esperance farmer Mic Fels, speaking to the ABC, described the slowdown that preceded Burke's announcement as "quite catastrophic — and I'm not using hyperbole here." He said the impact on the broadacre sector, especially in Western Australia, had already been devastating.

The NFF was equally pointed about the new three-month processing target: "Farmers need approvals in days, not months. For many farms, three months is the difference between harvesting a crop and losing it."

What the Numbers Mean for Hospitality

Accommodation Australia has estimated the ballot caps amount to roughly a 40% reduction from current backpacker levels — a cut the peak body says will fall at the worst possible time for the sector.

Accommodation Australia represents close to 5,000 hospitality, travel, and accommodation providers with around 250,000 workers. Before this announcement, there were already more than 38,000 vacancies across the sector. CEO James Goodwin has been clear that targeted migration is "necessary to fill the large gaps to ease the worker shortage and unlock investment and growth" — not cut.

Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) CEO Margy Osmond described the announcement as an "extraordinary slap in the face for an industry already under pressure." Major changes had been made, she said, "without previously consulting the people who have to make it work."

Osmond told the Australian Financial Review that the industry had been "blindsided" by Labor's reforms, and warned the new laws would see backpackers feeling "not welcome in Australia."

"All we would have liked was for government to consult us while they were thinking about this," Osmond said.

Osmond also flagged that tourism and hospitality were left off the priority processing list entirely — despite facing the same workforce pressures as construction, which was included. With more than 38,000 vacancies already unfilled, the sector has no buffer to absorb a 40% reduction in its most flexible workforce.

The Industry Had Already Sounded the Alarm

Weeks before the September 17 announcement, the government had quietly paused WHM applications from 24 countries and slowed processing times across the board. Even before the ballot was confirmed, the Tourism and Transport Forum reported a drop in bookings for tourism activities nationally — tourism boats on Sydney Harbour, flights, and national park visits.

Working Holiday Makers spend $4.4 billion in Australia every year. Of that, $1.1 billion flows directly into regional economies — into accommodation, transport, hospitality, tours, and local businesses.

All four major industry bodies — the NFF, TTF, Accommodation Australia, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) — went to Parliament House to call for urgent action before September 17. None of them was consulted before Burke's announcement.

Can Work Visa Lawyers Help?

Yes. Work Visa Lawyers are Australia's leading immigration law firm for businesses and individuals navigating complex visa situations. If you run a regional business that relies on WHMs — whether in agriculture, hospitality, or tourism — our lawyers can review your situation and identify workforce solutions that work for you.

We can advise on employer-sponsored visas, PALM scheme eligibility, and any pathways that help keep your business operating through the summer season and beyond. Contact us for an appointment.

Talk to an Immigration Lawyer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new Working Holiday Maker ballot and when does it start?

The ballot is a new system for second and third-year WHM visas (Subclass 417 and 462). Instead of applying directly after completing regional work, backpackers must enter a draw with limited places. Year two is capped at 45,000. Year three is capped at 5,000. No start date has been published yet. Changes are being made by ministerial direction, not legislation, so timing may shift.

Does the ballot affect UK backpackers?

No. UK working holiday makers are excluded from the ballot under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement. They also do not need to meet the regional work requirement. The number of UK backpackers in Australia has grown from around 17,000 to nearly 80,000 since the FTA took effect.

Why are farmers worried about the WHM ballot?

Working Holiday Makers fill about one in seven farm jobs in Australia. They make up 44% of the horticulture workforce alone. With the third-year ballot cut by over 80%, farmers face serious labour shortages during peak harvest season — starting now, with harvest already underway in parts of Queensland.

Are there other workforce options if backpacker numbers fall?

Yes. Regional employers can explore the PALM scheme, which brings workers from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste. Employer-sponsored visa pathways may also be relevant for some roles. Talk to an immigration lawyer to understand what options apply to your business.

Is the government consulting farming and hospitality industries?

Not yet — and the NFF, TTF, Accommodation Australia, and ACCI are calling for urgent consultation. The September 17 announcement was made without prior consultation with any of these peak bodies.

Could the WHV ballot lead to higher food prices?

Yes, according to the NFF. The federation has warned publicly that food prices will rise if farms cannot get the workers needed to harvest crops. Harvest in Queensland has already begun, and processing times of three months mean many farms will not get workers in time.

Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules and state nomination requirements can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision. 

Partner Visa and Family Priority Order 2026: Which Visa Applications Get Processed First?

If you are waiting on a partner visa or family visa, you may have noticed processing times changed in 2026. Some applications are now moving faster than others, even if they were lodged later. This is the result of a new rule from Home Affairs, Ministerial Direction 117, which took effect on 25 July 2026.

You do not need to know the name of the rule to be affected by it. This guide explains what changed, who it affects, and what you can do next.

What changed in partner and family visa processing in 2026?

Home Affairs now works through partner and family visa applications in a new order. This new order comes from a written instruction called a Ministerial Direction. It is not a new law, and it does not change who qualifies for a visa. It only changes which applications get looked at first.

The current instruction is Ministerial Direction 117. Decision makers must follow the priorities it sets out.

Why are some partner and family visas processed faster than others?

Home Affairs now gives the highest priority to family visa applications made while the main applicant is in Australia, for a visa that can be granted onshore.

Lower priority goes to applications where the main applicant is outside Australia, or must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

Within these two groups, Direction 117 sets a six-step order for family visa applications:

1. Family visa cases already subject to ministerial intervention
2. Applications by a partner or dependent child
3. Applications by an orphan relative
4. Applications by a contributory parent or contributory aged parent
5. Applications by a carer
6. Applications by a parent, aged parent, remaining relative or aged dependent relative

Partner and child visas sit near the top of this order. Parent and other family visas sit near the bottom.

Are onshore partner visas processed faster than offshore partner visas?

Yes. Location is the first thing Home Affairs checks under Direction 117. If you lodge a Partner visa while you are in Australia, and the visa can be granted while you are still here, you get higher priority. This applies to the onshore Partner visa (subclass 820 and 801).

If you apply from overseas, your application sits in the lower priority group. This applies to the offshore Partner visa (subclass 309 and 100) and the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300).

This means an onshore partner visa lodged recently can be worked on before an offshore partner visa lodged years earlier. So what does this mean for you? If you applied offshore, your case may now take longer to reach a decision.

Can you get your partner visa fast-tracked or prioritised?

Yes, you can ask. Home Affairs may prioritise your Partner visa application if you can show special circumstances of a compassionate nature, with compelling reasons to depart from the normal order.

There is no guarantee. Other applicants may have equally strong circumstances, and Home Affairs says most requests for priority processing cannot be approved.

Home Affairs will only consider a priority request once you have submitted all your supporting documents. If you hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 309 or 820), two years must pass from your application date before you are even eligible for assessment of the permanent stage.

So what does this mean for you? A priority request only has a real chance with strong evidence and a genuine compassionate reason.

Should you withdraw your offshore partner visa and apply onshore instead?

This is a hard decision, and there is no single right answer for everyone.

If you withdraw an offshore application and lodge a new one onshore, you pay the visa application charge again. You also give up the time you have already waited.

On the other hand, offshore partner visas are now a lower priority under Direction 117. It may take longer than you expect to hear back if you stay in the offshore queue.

If you are thinking about arriving on a visitor visa so you can lodge onshore, be careful. Border officials can refuse you entry, and some visitor visas carry a condition that stops you from applying for most other visas while you are in Australia.

So what does this mean for you? Get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before you withdraw or change your visa strategy.

Can you travel overseas while your partner visa is being processed?

Your place in the queue is set by where you were when you lodged your application, not where you are right now. An onshore Partner visa can still be granted while you are temporarily overseas.

Only a Bridging visa B (BVB) lets you leave and re-enter Australia while you wait for a decision on your substantive visa.

If you depart Australia on a Bridging visa A, C or E instead, that visa ceases and you cannot use it to come back.

So what does this mean for you? Do not leave Australia on a Bridging visa A. Apply for a Bridging visa B first, so you can travel and still come home.

Current partner and parent visa processing times (2026)

Partner visa processing times

Home Affairs updates partner visa processing times every month, based on recently decided applications. It publishes two figures for each subclass: the time it takes to finalise 50% of applications, and the time it takes to finalise 90%.

Figures extracted on Thursday, August 27, 2026

Because these figures move monthly and depend on your exact application date, check the current numbers using the Department's Visa processing times guide. Select the onshore Partner visa (subclass 820/801) or the offshore Partner visa (subclass 309/100) to see the current estimate for your pathway.

So what does this mean for you? Under Direction 117, an onshore 820/801 application is likely to show a shorter processing time than an offshore 309/100 application lodged around the same time.

Parent visa processing times

Parent visas work differently. They are capped and queued, so Home Affairs publishes long-term estimates instead of monthly ranges.

As at 31 May 2026, new Contributory Parent visa applications (subclass 143 and 173) are estimated to take around 15 years to reach a final decision.

New Parent and Aged Parent visa applications (subclass 103 and 804) — the non-contributory pathway — are estimated to take around 33 years.

These are estimates only. They change with planning levels, demand, and the number of places available each year. [Source] For current queue release dates, see Parent visas – queue release dates and processing times.

So what does this mean for you? If a parent visa is your only option, plan for a very long wait, and ask about temporary alternatives while the permanent application is queued.

Can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Yes. Work Visa Lawyers can help you understand where you sit under Direction 117 and plan your next step.

We can assist with:

• Partner visa advice (onshore and offshore)
• requests for priority processing based on compassionate circumstances
• reviewing whether withdrawing and relodging onshore is the right move
• bridging visa and travel strategy
• parent and other family visa advice

Direction 117 has changed the order files are picked up in. Getting the details right in your application still matters.

Talk to an Immigration Lawyer

FAQ: Partner and Family Visa Processing Times in Australia (2026)

Why do some partner visas take longer to process than others?

Since 25 July 2026, Home Affairs has followed a new instruction, Ministerial Direction 117, which sets the order applications are worked through. It does not change who qualifies for a visa, only the order applications are considered in.

Will an onshore partner visa be processed before an older offshore application?

Usually, yes. Onshore Partner visa applications (subclass 820/801) get higher priority than offshore applications (subclass 309/100), regardless of when each was lodged.

Are parent visas processed the same way as partner visas?

No. Parent, aged parent, carer and other family visas sit further down the priority order than partner and child visas, and many are also subject to a separate queue date system.

Can I get my partner visa fast-tracked?

You can request priority processing, but you need compassionate circumstances and compelling reasons. Most requests are not approved.

If I hold a Bridging Visa B and travel, do I lose my place in the queue?

No. Your priority is set by where you were when you lodged your application. An onshore Partner visa can still be granted while you are temporarily overseas on a Bridging visa B.

How can Work Visa Lawyers help with partner visa delays?

We can review your situation, explain where your application sits in the current priority order, and help with a partner visa strategy, a priority processing request, or a bridging visa question.

Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules and state nomination requirements can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.

REFERENCE LIST

Family visa processing priorities — Department of Home Affairs

Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions — Department of Home Affairs

Travel while your visa is being processed — Department of Home Affairs

Work Visa Lawyers — Partner/Family Migration service page