Federal Government reopens seasonal worker program

Two Pacific labour schemes have been reopened to help farmers fearing a shortage of workers come peak harvest time. This is what it means for producers.

Seasonal workers from Vanuatu harvesting asparagus in Koo Wee Rup.

FARMERS will be able to access workers through two Pacific Island seasonal worker programs the Federal Government has agreed to reopen despite COVID-19 inbound travel restrictions in a lifeline to farmers staring down the barrel of a critical shortage of workers.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has announced the reopening of the Pacific labour scheme and the seasonal worker program across the nation.

It comes three weeks after 170 workers from Vanuatu were given the green light to enter the country to help pick mangoes in the NT under the seasonal worker program to assist with harvest in September.

Mr Littleproud said the reopening of the labour schemes to the rest of the nation would fill the void left by backpackers and seasonal workers who have returned home during the pandemic.

The Federal Government has assured the industry it would approve the visa applications, but it now depends on each state and territory to “opt-in” to the reopened schemes and administer their arrival into the regions.

“This sensible approach developed by the Australian Government ensures our farmers can keep feeding the nation and supplying the world,” Minister Littleproud said.

“I have written to state and territory agriculture ministers urging them to work with their colleagues and farmer sector to take advantage of the reopening of the seasonal worker program and pacific labour scheme.

“With appropriate state and territory plans and quarantine arrangements in place, seasonal and Pacific workers can safely support farmers facing critical workforce shortages.”

More than 40 per cent of working holiday makers have left Australia since border closures were enacted across the nation. While there are still about 8000 Pacific and Timorese workers remaining in Australia, farmers are expecting bigger than average crops this year, which is fuelling widespread concerns of a shortage of people to pick and pack them.

Like the NT trail, strict conditions would be imposed including a 14-day isolation period following the arrival of the workers.

The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance has applauded the announcement.

AFPA chief executive Michael Rogers said allowing the industry to access these workers was critical to ensuring the ongoing supply of fresh produce nationally.

“We would like to see State and Territory governments agree to allow the arrival of new Seasonal Worker Program workers under required health guidelines.

“The fresh produce industry is reliant on these workers and asks that the state and territory governments acknowledge the importance of these workers to securing the ongoing supply of fresh fruit and vegetables.”

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