Horticulture to benefit from visa extensions

Nationally there were about 140,000 backpackers and 8000 workers under the seasonal worker program (SWP) and Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS).

The backpacker figure is down from around 210,000 normally in Australia each year.

AUSVEG chief executive James Whiteside said growers would always have a preference to employ a local workforce.

"But the reality is that our industry relies on international workers to supplement the workers they need that cannot be sourced from the local labour pool," he said.

"The extension of Seasonal Worker Program, Pacific Labour Scheme and Working Holiday Maker visas was a much-needed short-term solution to what would become a larger problem as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continued to limit the number of foreign workers who can come to Australia," Mr Whiteside said.

Under the changes announced backpackers who worked in agriculture or food processing will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in critical sectors, including agriculture, if their current visa was due to expire in the next six months, he said..

Workers in the seasonal worker program and Pacific labour scheme would be able to extend their stay for 12 months to work for approved employers.

President of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Horticulture Group, Emma Germano, said growers and industry welcomed the visa extensions.

Ms Germano said the overarching message at difficult times like now was that "business continuity is key".

"For us business continuity is knowing that we've got visa workers nearby, that our usual workforce is maintained and that any Australians who are keen enough can fill shortages," she said.

Ms Germano said the coronavirus pandemic was throwing up constant challenges to the horticultural industry.

She said it was "quite difficult to read the market" and much depended on what sales channels growers had.