Wilson raises regional visa concerns with Minister

MR RICK WILSON MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR O’CONNOR

25th August 2026

Wilson raises regional visa concerns with Minister

Federal Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson has called on Immigration Minister Tony Burke to address visa processing changes and delays that are affecting regional and remote communities across Western Australia.

Mr Wilson has written to the Minister raising concerns about the removal of priority processing for regional employer-sponsored visas and growing delays in the processing of Working Holiday Maker visas as harvest season approaches.

Mr Wilson said regional employers were already facing significant workforce challenges and should not be disadvantaged by policy settings that fail to recognise conditions outside metropolitan areas.

"Regional and remote communities face significant labour shortages and many employers rely heavily on skilled migration to fill positions that simply cannot be met locally," Mr Wilson said.

"In O'Connor, industries including agriculture, construction, hospitality, mining, health and aged care all depend on access to workers to keep businesses operating and communities thriving."

Mr Wilson said his advocacy on workforce shortages was part of a longstanding commitment to ensuring regional Australia was not overlooked in national policy decisions.

"My longstanding view is that government should be an enabler of Australia's potential, not a roadblock to it," he said.

"Regional Australia helps drive the national economy. Government should be looking at ways to support growth and productivity in the regions, not making it harder for employers to access the workers they genuinely need."

Under the previous Ministerial Direction 105, employer-sponsored visa applications for designated regional areas received priority processing. Mr Wilson said the new arrangements no longer provided that recognition for regional employers despite ongoing workforce shortages.

He also raised concerns about growing reports of delays in Subclass 417 Working Holiday Maker visas.

"With harvest season approaching, farmers across O'Connor rely on Working Holiday Makers to fill seasonal positions," Mr Wilson said.

"My office has received a significant increase in enquiries regarding these delays, with some constituents reporting waits of two months or more."

"These delays can leave seasonal employers without workers when they are most needed, adding further pressure to an already constrained regional workforce."

Mr Wilson said regional employers needed confidence that the migration system was responsive to genuine workforce needs.

"If we're serious about unlocking Australia's potential, regional employers need confidence that the visa system recognises the realities they face and responds to genuine and ongoing labour shortages."

ENDS

Media contact: Reuben Keyser
Communications and Community Engagement Adviser
[email protected]
(08) 9842 2777
0455 125 035