Victoria's Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has warned the horticultural industry must lead the way in finding local solutions to ongoing labour shortages.
Mr Thomas told a Rural Press Club of Victoria webinar the government would continue working to facilitate connections between industry groups, supermarkets, growers and unions, to find ways to boost the local workforce.
"We need to be thinking about ways we can build the reputation of horticulture, how we can create better opportunities for workers and how, and where, to invest in labour-saving technologies," Ms Thomas said.
"I am not prepared to concede we cannot generate a local workforce - this is a workforce that will be supplemented by our Pacific Island neighbours.
"(But) it's going to be a very long time, I expect, before backpackers are able to return to Australia."
The latest research for Hort Innovations has shown demand for workers could grow to as much as 33,000 people, at the peak of summer.
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But new modelling indicates there could be only 11,000 workers available.
International travel bans saw a sharp reduction in the number of backpackers and Pacific Island workers who were able to come to Australia.
Ms Thomas said there was competition from other sectors, seeking to bring in overseas residents.
"Universities are clamouring to bring in international students and in Australia the hospitality industry is experiencing worker shortages," Ms Thomas said.
She said the Seasonal Harvest Sign-On Bonus had seen 2800 workers receive the $810 installment for 10 days work.
"This program is all about building a local workforce," she said.
"The really good news is that nearly 30 per cent who have signed on are working in ag for the first time. And 95pc said they planned to continue to work in seasonal harvesting."
But Ms Thomas said the sign-on bonus would not continue indefinitely.
"The government can't continue to supplement wages of a particular cohort of workers," she said.
"What this sign on bonus has demonstrated is there is a sweet spot there, where people will take up this work."
An additional 160 Pacific Islander workers had arrived in Victoria, last week.
"This is good news, but without support for quarantine, it will be really challenging for state governments," she said.
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
