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November 29, 2021 Pace Migration Migration, PR Pathways
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Earlier this year, Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack promised to help farmers fill labour shortages by delivering a new agriculture visa before the end of 2021. The decision came after the Australian government removed the requirement that British backpackers work on farms before extending their stay in Australia. This move would reduce the seasonal workforce by 10,000 people. Moreover, the latest report estimates that Australia’s fruit and vegetable farmers need an extra 26,000 workers to harvest their crops this summer.
A statement co-signed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Agriculture Minister and Immigration Minister said the visa would be available to workers in farming, fisheries, meat processing and forestry. It will not be capped and will include pathways towards permanent residency and regional resettlement. Additionally, the government plans to meet agricultural workforce shortages by building on the existing Seasonal Worker Programme (SPW) and Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS).
The Government has announced some further details. However, the program will only be available for use via a phased approach – with only approved employers and a small number of workers permitted to use the program in Phase 1. According to the Government’s Fact Sheet, here are the details about the two phases:
The new agriculture visa will support the recruitment of workers for the broad range of Australian agricultural industries, as well as the meat processing, fishery and forestry sectors. Particular occupations may be specified as more details of the program are confirmed in consultation with the industry.
The agriculture visa program will target skilled, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers across these sectors.
Under the proposal, applicants will receive a visa to live in Australia for 3 years provided they:
The details are yet to be defined but the visa is said to differ from the Seasonal Worker Programme in that employer sponsorship will not be required. This opens doors for more travellers and grants them the freedom to change employers once in Australia if they are not receiving adequate wages or working conditions whereas previously they may have found themselves ingratiated to their sponsor.
International border restrictions have had a particularly harsh impact on the agriculture industry. Due to ongoing difficulties in finding local Australians to fill these positions, the industry has been reliant on migrant workers for many years. Farmers have been calling for a dedicated agriculture visa since 2016 and border restrictions have only served to exacerbate labour shortages and put more strain on agribusinesses. Many other industries are also experiencing skill shortages and the new Agriculture Visa will hopefully pave the way for the establishment of other industry-specific visas during the pandemic.
If you require assistance with your company’s visa sponsorship options, please contact Pace Migration & Education Consultancy agent to discuss your situation. Alternatively, you can simply call us at 0434 123 123 for a quick chat or email us at marketing@pacemigration.com.au for more information or updates regarding work visas.
Source: sbs, interstaff, dfat
Syed Rahman
Mr. Rahman is a knowledgeable professional with expertise in academia, corporate management, and migration law. He holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law from ANU, an MBA in International Business from UTS, and a BBA from Baruch College. With 5 years of corporate management experience, 4 years of teaching experience in Australia, and over 15 years as a registered Migration Agent, Mr. Rahman has a strong background in helping international students and skilled migrants with Australian migration law.
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Hello. I m from Pakistan and just attempted ielts and got 6.5 bands overall with 5.5 in writing only. My intentions are to get admission in agricultural postgraduate courses in melboure or sydney. So m i eligible for admission ? If yes then which universities are accepting 5.5 writing.