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2 clusters · 7 sources · 16 days · First seen · Last updated

Australian agricultural labor and visa challenges

Overview

The Australian agricultural sector is experiencing labor shortages and logistical challenges related to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa program.

Initially, industry representatives noted that backpackers are increasingly choosing roles in the hospitality and tourism sectors over demanding agricultural harvests. Challenges include the seasonal nature of harvest work, which often fails to meet the duration required for visa compliance, and competition from more stable service roles. To address these gaps, the industry has begun looking toward older workers and university students.

Following these labor recruitment difficulties, Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) formally urged the Federal Immigration Minister to address visa processing delays. The organization emphasized that slow processing impacts the entire supply chain, as the highly seasonal horticulture sector cannot delay harvests while waiting for workers. QFVG argued that WHM visa holders serve a distinct role from permanent migrants and should not be subject to broader migration debates.

Entities

Rottnest Island · Scott Kompo-Harms · Jimmy McKenzie · Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers · Australia

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Queensland growers urge action on Working Holiday Maker visa delays

    Queensland fruit and vegetable growers are calling on the Australian Federal Government to resolve Working Holiday Maker visa delays to ensure seasonal labor is available for upcoming harvests.

  2. 18 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Australian agriculture faces backpacker labor shortage

    Australia's agriculture sector is struggling to attract backpackers on holiday visas as workers increasingly prefer hospitality and tourism roles over seasonal harvest labor.

Sources

farmonline.com.au · freshplaza.com · hortidaily.com · northqueenslandregister.com.au · stockandland.com.au · stockjournal.com.au · theland.com.au