The pausing of the issuing of working visas for people from a host of countries is expected to hit Douglas Shire as hard as any region across Australia.

Temporary workers from countries including Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Switzerland, Austria, Chile, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Peru, Poland, Portugal and Uruguay have had visa applications paused until further notice as the Federal Government works on ways to slow immigration numbers. 

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said this month that some Working Holiday Maker visas were currently being “processed more slowly than they were previously”.

A notice on the official visa application website states: “Due to a high volume of WHM visa applications, processing times are longer than usual. Do not arrange travel to Australia until we notify you in writing that your visa has been granted.”

Immigration lawyer Chris Johnston said a host of industries rely on temporary workers, including tourism and hospitality.

“The hospitality industry… will be upset because they’re going to have less short-term workers,” Mr Johnston said.

“Regional communities will be upset because, whilst working in those regional communities, they spend money.”

Regional communities such as Port Douglas benefit from temporary workers spending on accommodation, food, transport and entertainment, while hospitality businesses rely on flexible, short-term workers during peak seasons such as July-October.

Many working travellers spoken to by Newsport said being able to work their “88 days” in Port Douglas is a popular reason to come here - working holiday makers must work for three months within a year in specified regions that are usually rural and remote - to become eligible to apply for a second stage of the program.