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British backpacker slams ‘tough’ Australian visa requirement

An Aussie job that tens of thousands of travellers do every year has been slammed by one British backpacker for this reason.

British backpacker slams ‘tough’ Australian visa requirement

A British backpacker has taken aim at the Australia’s regional work requirement for visa holders, saying she had been pushed to her wits’ end by the lack of support.

Becky Clements posted on TikTok this week saying she is fed up with how regional visa workers are treated.

“I’ve been told I’ve hit the jackpot with my farm work, and being able to work in a cafe and a restaurant for my regional work in Australia,” Ms Clements said in her TikTok.

“I don’t know how people are working on farms or doing this.”’

British backpacker Becky Clements posted on TikTok this week how she’s fed up with how regional visa workers are treated. Picture: TikTok
British backpacker Becky Clements posted on TikTok this week how she’s fed up with how regional visa workers are treated. Picture: TikTok
She said she was considering not staying for another year due to the ‘living’ conditions. Picture: Instagram
She said she was considering not staying for another year due to the ‘living’ conditions. Picture: Instagram

Ms Clements said she’s been shocked by the lack of support, and has documented in many of her TikTok videos the conditions she’s lived in while being in Australia.

One video even showed the communal kitchen was left dirty, with spilt milk all over the floor.

“We are being worked to the ground here and living in not very good conditions,” Ms Clements said in the video.

“Why is this happening?

“Honestly I’m considering not staying another year.”

Aussie farmers rely on backpackers and seasonal workers to help pick their produce. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard.
Aussie farmers rely on backpackers and seasonal workers to help pick their produce. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard.

Her social media revealed she’s made the difficult decision to pack in her regional stint and move to the Gold Coast in the hopes of finding accommodation.

Many backpackers turn to regional work as part of their visa requirements, with Aussie farmers relying heavily on seasonal workers to help pick their crops.

An adult casual worker picking fruit or vegetables on an hourly rate should earn at least $26.73 an hour, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being asked to review the visa process. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being asked to review the visa process. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

It comes as the Albanese government continues to be put under pressure from the states and territories to improve migration numbers.

Some suggestions being floated ahead of the May budget include setting migration targets, overhauling eligibility rules for foreign workers and creating new visa classes to help secure better employment outcomes.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/travel-stories/british-backpacker-slams-tough-australian-visa-requirement/news-story/3ac7b3c454609aad5bab0f1c7a5f5cb9