The Rudd Government has announced a three-year pilot seasonal worker scheme in the horticulture industry, where there is a lack of workers to harvest the nation’s fruit and vegetables.
Under the trial, up to 2,500 visas will be available over three years for workers from Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea to work in Australia for up to seven months in any 12 month period.
Small groups of workers are expected to start to arrive late this year.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the pilot, saying it would help Australian horticulture industries and could also meet the development needs of our Pacific island neighbours.
The move follows calls for assistance by the horticulture industry, which claims up to $700 million of fresh produce is left to rot because of a lack of reliable workers.
“Earlier this year I visited the Griffith region and producers were telling me about the impact of the shortage of reliable workers on their business,” Mr Burke said.
“Fresh Australian fruit and vegetables should be harvested for consumers to enjoy at home and overseas – not left in the field to go to waste.
“This seasonal worker proposal was put forward more than five years ago by farmers and regional communities that depend on agriculture.
“Since then there has been widespread consultation, including a Senate inquiry, and increasing support from grower groups.
“The Rudd Government will continue to consider practical options to support our world-class fruit and vegetable industries and regional communities.”
The Government has been working with industry groups to identify possible regions for the pilot. Initial regions being considered include Swan Hill in Victoria and Griffith in NSW.
Further work, including labour market surveys, is now being conducted in these and other regions to better gauge labour demand.
Overseas low-skilled seasonal workers will only be employed after employers have demonstrated that they have first made reasonable efforts to employ Australians.
Employers will be required to commit to participate in programs for the training and career development of Australians who may not yet be job-ready, particularly income support recipients, Indigenous Australians and Humanitarian job seekers. Employers must also have a record of compliance with Australian laws.
All low-skilled seasonal workers will be employed in accordance with Australian work standards, including awards. They will receive the same protection from exploitation as Australian workers.
“Pacific island workers are not a cheap labour option. Participating employers will pay half of the return air fares, and cover establishment and pastoral care costs involved in bringing Pacific island workers to Australia,” Mr Burke said.
The Government wants to test through the pilot whether a program of this sort could help horticulturists and also aid the development of Pacific island communities through vital employment experience, earnings and opportunities for the seasonal workers to learn valuable skills.
The pilot program will be reviewed after 18 months to ensure it is meeting the needs of rural communities, rural industries and workers.
The program will be administered by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.