The Victorian government has extended its Seasonal Harvest Sign-On Bonus program and quarantine pathway for Pacific Islander workers.
Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas says the quarantiner arrangment with Tasmania will continue, beyond June 30, to provide a secure pathway for up to 1,500 Pacific workers.
"Our approach to the challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic has been securing a mix of both international and local workers to help equip agriculture businesses for this season and the seasons ahead," Ms Thomas said.
"The horticulture sector is worth $3.6 billion to the Victorian economy and we are working closely with the industry as it develops a more sustainable seasonal workforce for seasons to come.
"We look forward to discussions at the Agriculture Ministers' Meeting this week as it's clear we need a longer-term national solution to this long-standing issue brought to the fore by the pandemic."
More than 840 Pacific workers have arrived, via a rolling schedule of flights driven by industry demand, to support agriculture businesses from East Gippsland to the Sunraysia
Workers have been employed in citrus, table grape, apple, pear and vegetable businesses.
The next flight will arrive in early July and remaining places will be filled over coming months as industry requires.
The popular Seasonal Harvest Sign-On Bonus will also continue, with more than 1,800 workers already receiving their first $810 instalment of the bonus for completing 10 days of work.
The Sign-On Bonus is attracting jobseekers to support farmers, with workers picking, packing and pruning in an array of sectors including vegetables, fruit, olives, grapes, citrus and nuts.
The program is available to workers who are new or returning to agriculture after a three-month break and who have started a job after February 17, 2021.
New workers will receive $2,430 on top of their wages when they take on a harvest job for eight weeks.
The Seasonal Workforce Accommodation Program has provided more than $3.1 million to support projects to assist workers in key horticulture regions, which will provide accommodation, transport and support services to more than 2,200 workers.
Through the Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program, 12 grants totalling $900,000 have been approved to industry organisations to help recruit and retain local workers in priority harvest regions.
