Ag visa: Timing will be crucial for arrival of seasonal workers

Details on the newly-announced ag visa are still being ironed out and farmers are concerned about whether the timing of it will be enough.

First arrivals of Pacific workers to the seasonal workforce in the Yarra Ranges at Vernview Apple Orchard in Launching Place. Picture: Mark Stewart

Farmers are being urged not to pin all their workforce hopes on the new agriculture visa, amid concerns Covid-19 travel restrictions and quarantine demands will affect how soon the promised workers can arrive in Australia.

The Federal Government announced this week that the long-promised visa will be available from the end of September, and would be open to workers across all agricultural sectors and skill levels.

But further details of the new visa, including when the first workers could arrive or the sponsorship process, have yet to be determined.

Fruit Growers Victoria manager Michael Crisera said that timing of the ag visa’s availability would be crucial.

“We support the ag visa, it’s very good news, but it’s all about making it work for the states’ quarantine arrangements,” he said.

“I just don’t know how quick it’s going to get workers into the country due to the Covid travel restrictions.”

The new visa will be demand-driven, with no caps in place. While regulations to create the new visa will be in by September 30, the actual availability will depend on which countries sign up to the visa program, and which states agree to guarantee a quarantine pathway for them.

At present, Pacific Island seasonal worker arrangements are taking farmers at least two and a half months to organise, including mandatory two-week quarantine for new arrivals.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud on Monday said he hoped the first workers would arrive by the end of the year, and that the farm workers would be on top states’ international arrival caps.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano said the announcement was great news, but cautioned there was lots to be worked out between now and September 30.

That included what employer sponsorship arrangements looked like, whether workers would be able to move from farm to farm, and the workforce needs of each agricultural sector.

“It sounds like we’ve got everything we potentially want, but will there be workers on farms from January 1, 2022? I’m not sure,” she said.

“Aside from the fact the quarantine pathway is lacking, we just don’t have the relationships for this arrangement built with these countries yet, and that takes time.”

Ms Germano said she personally would still be relying on Pacific Island seasonal worker program for her Gippsland vegetable farm in the interim.

“It’s vitally important they (governments) maintain that program, it’s going to continue to be the most immediate solution in the short-term,” she said.

Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh said the Victorian Government should not delay signing up to the program

“This is one of the biggest issues facing Victorian agriculture right now, it needs immediate action,” he said.