Australia is giving out a record number of short-term visas to backpackers, adding to the growth of temporary residents in the migration system.

There were 321,000 working holiday visas issued last financial year, up more than a third on the previous year.

Young people from the United Kingdom are leading the trend, making up a quarter of all backpacker visas as they take advantage of the Morrison-era trade agreement that lifted the maximum age for British working holidaymakers and shed a requirement they spend 88 days each year doing regional work.

Working holiday visa holders James Thomas from Kent, and Carly Cole from Essex, at Bondi. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Last financial year was the first time young Brits were no longer required to work and live in regional Australia to

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