Backpackers say they have been left shocked and confused by the government’s “odd” overnight hiking of the cost of Working Holiday visas to $1,000, without giving any notice beforehand.

On Wednesday, the price of a second- or third-year Working Holiday visa increased by 50 per cent, hiking it up to $1,000 from $670.

A first year visa increased to $840.

The increase was unexpected after last year saw an increase of just $20.

Backpackers who are set to renew their visa this year told SkyNews.com.au they were blindsided by the notable hike and wish the government would have given them notice to let them prepare.

Megan, a 24-year-old British woman now living in Perth on the first year of her visa, described the increase as a “big shock”.

“At the moment it’s a big shock to the people who are already here and have budgeted for the 670 dollars and in my case around 400 dollars for a medical on top of the visa price,” she said.

“It’s come as a shock to all of us and now we will have to maybe work harder than we already do.

“Most of my friends and I made sure we have two jobs ands some where we work from very early in the morning until the late hours of the night to be able to afford things and live the holiday part of our visa.”

Twenty-eight-year-old Brit Bryony said she understands the need to increase the fee, but at a more reasonable level in line with inflation “rather than it being such a drastic amount”.

“I (just) genuinely feel sorry for people that are here working hard on their visa, trying to make a living out here and saving up some money whilst backpacking,” she said.

“Then their visas need to be renewed in two months and they didn’t realise, and now they’ve got to scrape up like quite a lot.”

She said it felt like a purposeful barrier had been put up against her.

“In a way it makes you feel like they don’t want that many people staying, they’re trying to make it harder for people to stay,” she said.

“It just seems like they’re trying to create another barrier which is odd.”

In a statement to SkyNews.com.au, a spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs said that visa fees are a “small proportion of overall costs” for visitors and migrants to Australia.

“Australia remains an attractive destination and VAC increases are unlikely to materially affect demand for most visas,” they said

“The Australian government is reforming the migration system to ensure it operates in the national interest.”

The government announced planned reforms to the Working Holiday visa in its 2026 budget, noting high levels of granted visas.

Both Bryony and Megan said they felt there should have been notice given for such a large hike up, instead both finding out from TikTok videos online.

“I genuinely was shocked,” said Bryony.

“I’d like to think there’d be a little bit more publication around it, to make sure people were aware.”

Megan suggested an email to visa holders would have been “more than a fair warning and given us all some time to save some money”.

TikTok comments were filled with people claiming to have recently saved the money for the visa, and in some cases an almost $400 health check fee on top, only to log on to apply and be hit with a $1,000 fee instead.

The Home Office confirmed that VAC changes are not announced before implementation as “standard departmental practice”.

For backpackers though, it appears the 50 per cent price hike will hurt their pockets but might not deter them from applying.

“I think we will just swallow it,” Bryony admitted, reasoning that others in different positions might just choose to spend their cash in different countries.

“But I think it could put people off that are on the Working Holiday visa that are backpacking around and doing more casual roles,” she said.

“It’s a big amount that they could use to go travel Asia or do other things with it.”