The federal government has given backpackers the green light to help Australian communities and farmers recover from the bushfires.
New changes to backpacker visa rules will allow construction work in a disaster declared area, to count towards the "specified" work needed for international visitors to apply for a second or third year visas.
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The time that a working holiday maker can spend with the same employer has also been extended from six months to 12 months, as it was following Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the new rules for working holiday makers would be welcome news to farmers and regional businesses.
"These hard-working Australians have been hit by the recent bushfires, but from today they can employ backpackers for six months longer, helping them at a critical time in the recovery effort," Mr Tudge said
"It means working holiday makers can help rebuild homes, fences and farms, they can get onto properties and help with demolition, land clearing, and repairing dams, roads and railways."
While, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said the new arrangements would boost visitor numbers in bushfire affected regions.
"Every extra working holiday maker that we can get into these communities is one extra visitor to help protect local jobs and keep local businesses alive," Minister Birmingham said.
"We know tourism businesses in fire-affected communities are doing it tough, and the more tourism dollars that these working holiday makers can inject into these economies, the quicker these businesses can get back on their feet."
BlazeAid founder, Kevin Butler has been campaigning for the change to visa rules for weeks.
He said he was absolutely thrilled with the government announcement because it meant they could get the job (of rebuilding fences) done much faster.
"It's a terrific announcement and we're all going to be the beneficiaries of it," Mr Butler said.
"It's great for Australia's image overseas and it's great for the farmers because they will meet younger people.
"BlazeAid is all about forming long-lasting connections with farmers and having those connections overseas is going to benefit that immeasurably."
