August 2026 Newsletter
Save our Working Holiday Maker program!
The Backpacker & Youth Tourism Advisory Panel (BYTAP), supported by YTNSW, Youth Tourism Victoria (YTV) and Adventure Queensland (AQ) is publicly expressing deep concern over the Federal Government’s decision to delay and pause the processing of Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa since 1 July 2026, warning this will hugely negatively impact on the industry, and damage Australia’s competitiveness as a destination for young international travellers. BYTAP has had several meetings at high level with government officials and has also engaged a professional lobbyist who is well-connected in tourism and political circles, Simon Westaway, to assist with this issue. You can read the latest update here.
Organisations affected are encouraged to directly contact their elected representatives – see BYTAP’s ‘how to’ guide here – as well as to sign the petition here. Together as an industry, we are stronger to fight this, so please take the time to have your say!
Latest NSW tourism statistics
Destination NSW has provided the following latest statistics showing that 41% of international arrivals to this state are within the 15-34 years bracket, demonstrating the incredible importance of the youth tourism market. Check out all the data here including particularly the International Travel to NSW Key Statistics Fact Sheet Year Ending March 2026, and the International Travel to NSW Visitor Profile Year Ending March 2026.
Member update
Welcome to our latest member – Perfect Au Pairs – a leading agency in Australia, specialising in connecting families with trusted, experienced live-in au pairs who provide flexible and reliable childcare solutions.
Thanks go all our members for your ongoing support of the youth tourism industry in New South Wales & the ACT. If you have any industry news you’d like to share with our community, please email contact@youthtourismnsw.org.au
We’d also like to give a special thanks to Allsopp Bunting Insurance for their ongoing support of YTNSW and the industry, and to our valued venue sponsor, Applejack Hospitality.