Farmers want backpacker tax budget reform

Farmers want the federal budget to give them some assurance the government is acting to soften the so-called backpacker tax.

The National Farmers Federation has submitted its budget wish-list prioritising reform to the tax flagged in last year's budget, which they want watered down from the 32.5 per cent on everything overseas workers earn, making working holidays less attractive.

Besides the tax - which the government is reviewing by July 1 - the group also wants the fuel tax excise scheme unchanged and more agricultural counsellors to help farmers on trade.