The COVID-19 pandemic has made it hard for Australian farmers to find the workers they need to harvest valuable food crops.Temporary visa holders can help fill some of these shortages to ensure harvest work continues and agriculture can continue to play its important role in securing Australia’s prosperity.
Workers can find jobs on the Harvest Trail website or call the Harvest Trail Information Service on freecall 1800 062 332 from 8am to 8pm.
The Australian Government has introduced a number of temporary visa measures to help fill labour shortages in the agriculture sector by increasing the number of visa holders available for employers.
New temporary visa measures in place to support the agriculture sector, include:
- giving Working Holiday Makers working in agriculture an exemption from the six month limitation working with one employer
- allowing those within the Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Programme to extend their stay to support the agriculture sector and giving them an exemption from the requirement to work for one employer
- allowing temporary visa holders in Australia working in agriculture, including Working Holiday Makers, to apply for a COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa to extend their stay for an additional 12 months.
A range of temporary visas allow visa holders to work in the agricultural sector, including the Working Holiday Maker program, the Seasonal Worker Programme, the Pacific Labour Scheme, and the Student, Temporary Graduate, Special Humanitarian Entrant and Temporary Protection visa categories.
To check the visa options for working in agriculture visit the Department’s website: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/working-in-agriculture
Relocation assistance
Agricultural and harvest work opportunities are available across Australia. Visa holders relocating to take up short-term agricultural work, including harvest work, may be eligible to receive relocation assistance of up to $2,000. These workers are not restricted to an employer or a type of work. Find out more on this website: https://www.employment.gov.au/relocation-assistance-take-job
Work rights
To work in Australia visa holders must have the right to work on their visa. Visa holders and employers can check prospective employee work rights through VEVO, visa www.homeaffairs.gov.au/vevo
Migrant workers in Australia are covered by the same workplace laws, entitlements and protections as Australians. The Australian Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman can help visa holders understand their workplace rights and help to fix workplace problems, such as underpayment.
