‘This decision defies common sense’: Farmers angry at Working Holiday Maker visa changes

Territory farmers are angry with the federal government’s new eligibility rules surrounding the authorised sectors that backpackers can work in to extend their Working Holiday Maker visas.

TERRITORY farmers are angry with the federal government’s new eligibility rules surrounding the authorised sectors that backpackers can work in to extend their Working Holiday Maker visas.

They say it will further intensify the worker shortage crisis for farmers.

The NT Farmers Association says the changes will undermine the agricultural industry’s ability to secure farm workers, pitting it against the high wages and numerous incentives offered by the Tourism and Hospitality industries to secure a workforce.

Working Holiday Maker visa holders working in the tourism and hospitality sectors anywhere in Australia may now work for up to 12 months with the same employer or organisation without requesting permission.

Work now undertaken in the tourism and hospitality sectors in northern, remote or very remote Australia can also be counted as specified work towards eligibility for a second or third WHM visa. ​

This option will be available for WHM applications lodged from March 2022.

Chief executive Paul Burke said the decision was a massive blow to the farming industry, which is already struggling to attract a strong workforce due to international border closures and a nationwide worker shortage.

“The agricultural sector was included under the ‘specified work’ requirement of the visa, to attract a flexible workforce that can travel the region and help with harvests,” Mr Burke said

“This decision defies common sense and demonstrates the government’s disregard for farmers in the Territory.

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“The decision is extraordinarily disappointing considering that the government has failed to provide a quarantine pathway for seasonal workers,” he said.

“With the mango season only five weeks away, it is likely that mangoes will be unpicked and left to rot this year. This year, we are facing a shortage of 2000 harvest workers in the Territory alone, the likely shift by ­backpackers into the hospitality sector will further intensify the crisis for farmers.

‘The Working Holiday Visa arrangement was working well for Territory farmers and backpackers.

“Backpackers helped ­farmers and worked in amazing locations before often moving on to the hospitality sector once they completed their 88-day requirement.”