Australian Business Events Association calls for rethink on Working Holiday Maker visa changes

The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) is calling on the Federal Government to reconsider proposed changes to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa program, warning that slower visa processing and a pause on applications from 24 capped partner countries could impact the business events industry’s ability to access the workforce it needs to deliver major events.

ABEA CEO Melissa Brown said the Government needed to look beyond net migration numbers and recognise the broader workforce and economic contribution of WHMs, particularly for industries that experience significant peaks in demand.

 “We know many of our venue, supplier and organiser members rely on those with working holiday visas, especially for the delivery of large-scale events and experiences that Australia is known for,” said Brown.

“They provide an exceptional opportunity for cultural and work exchange and bolster our workforce when we need it most.

“We want to see more people available to work in Australia. Our industry demands it.”

Gab Robinson, CEO of Harry the hirer, a major event supplier, said 23% of its 1,328 employees in FY25–26 were employed under a WHM visa.

“The business events industry operates around significant peaks in demand, and Working Holiday Makers are an essential part of our ability to scale our workforce when our clients need it most.

“We typically employ 300-400 working holiday travellers across our peak periods. These are hardworking people who want to work, travel and contribute while they are in Australia.

“We support a Working Holiday Maker program that is flexible, inexpensive and administratively simple for both employers and travellers, with as few unnecessary restrictions as possible on their ability to work.

“The Government needs to make it easier to employ people to do the work that Australian businesses need,” said Robinson.

Dan Morahan, CEO of Moreton Hire, also a major business event supplier, said people on WHM visas and other migration visas are critical to the operation of their business.

“Across our national branches, approximately 22% hold either a WHM or other visa classes.

“This doesn’t include staff that are employed through labour agencies, where the figure is higher.

“They are a major and important mix in our employee group; they enable our business to scale and deliver in peak times. They also provide important skill exchange within our business,” Morahan said.

Another example of an employer utilising visas is the Victorian Convention and Event Trust, which manages and operates the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. It employs 246 individuals on a range of visas including WHM and student visas.

The contribution of Working Holiday Makers also extends beyond filling critical workforce needs. Tourism Research Australia’s data shows international Working Holiday Makers spent approximately $1.1 billion in regional Australia in 2025, representing 20% of all international visitor spending in regional Australia.

They also spent $3.3 billion in Australia’s capital cities, accounting for 10% of international visitor expenditure in those destinations.

The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA), 8^th September 2026