The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) is calling on the Federal Government to reconsider proposed changes to the Working Holiday Maker visa programme, saying it could impact the business events industry’s ability to access critical workers during peak periods.
The ABEA warns 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 programme that is flexible, inexpensive and administratively simple for both employers and travellers, with as few unnecessary restrictions as possible on their ability to work,” said Robinson.
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.
Tourism Research Australia’s data shows international Working Holiday Makers spent approximately $1.1bn in regional Australia in 2025, representing 20% of all international visitor spending in regional Australia. They also spent $3.3bn in Australia’s capital cities, accounting for 10% of international visitor expenditure in those destinations.
