$6000 farm-labour incentive scheme failing as backpackers continue exodus
The promise of $6000 to help Australians move for harvest jobs was meant to lure thousands from the city to country — but so far few have taken the bait. See how many people have actually signed on for the generous scheme.
JUST 253 Australians have signed on so far to pick and pack fruit and vegies this summer, under a Federal Government scheme aimed at helping solve the sector’s chronic worker shortages.
Meanwhile, the number of backpackers in Australia has plummeted even further in the past two months, dropping to an all-time low of 53,712.
The new figures appear to put the horticulture sector on track to a drastic shortage of up to 26,000 casual harvest workers by March, if international travel bans remain in place and Australians do not take up the jobs.
Signs that the shortage is starting to bite are emerging, with growers reporting millions in crop losses from unpicked produce and the supermarket prices of some fruit already escalating.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the nation’s premiers are expected to discuss the seasonal workforce issues when National Cabinet meets today.
The Federal Government allocated $17.4 million in this year’s budget to help people cover the cost of moving temporarily for short-term work, considered one of the biggest barriers to attracting Australians to fruit picking.
From November 1, Australians could claim up to $6000 in accommodation and transport costs, while working holiday-makers could claim up to $2000. There is enough funding to attract up to 2900 Australians claiming the full amount, or 8700 backpackers.
But figures from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment show in the program’s first six weeks, just 253 people have entered into “relocation agreements” with job providers.
A Department spokeswoman said the agreements did not guarantee the job would go ahead, as that could be affected by the weather, the employer or employee.
Job seekers need to provide evidence of working for at least six weeks and 120 hours before they will be reimbursed their moving costs; the spokeswoman said no claims have been submitted or paid out to date.
BACKPACKERS CONTINUE EXODUS
Meanwhile, working holiday-makers – usually relied upon for the bulk of harvest work – are continuing to leave Australia in droves.
Figures from the Department of Home affairs show there were 53,712 working holiday-makers in the country as on November 30 – down from the 65,066 reported at the end of September.
Ordinarily, there are about 145,000 backpackers in the country at this time of year.
Of those still here, about 17,000 are second or third-year visa holders.
Trade and Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham yesterday announced a new campaign aimed at getting New Zealanders – who can travel to almost all Australian states without the need for quarantine – to come and take the place of other backpackers.
“(Australia) is about the only country in the world that they probably can safely go to and do so with confidence, travel around the country, fill some jobs that usually have backpackers doing them,” he said.
Industry has called for a range of solutions to the crisis, including reopening the working holiday program to some countries, setting up dedicated travel bubbles with Pacific Island countries, and introducing a dedicated harvest work visa.
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