GRAIN HARVEST THREATENED BY WORKING HOLIDAY VISA SLOWDOWN

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is deeply concerned by the Federal Government’s confirmation that it is slowing the processing of working holiday visa applications. 

In the months leading up to harvest, GPA is alarmed by policy settings that undermine working holidaymakers as part of the seasonal workforce mix that risks undermining critical harvest capacity. 

As reported over the weekend, the Federal Government had paused applications for working holiday visas from 24 countries, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirming on Sunday that working holiday visas were still being processed but are being handled "more slowly than they were previously". 

“GPA is aware of the real risk limiting working holiday visa may pose to grain growers and their capability to harvest efficiently and effectively,” stated GPA Chair, Matthew Madden.

“Many of our members rely on working holiday visa holders to meet their staffing capacity needs at critical times, such during as harvest, and this policy position could see them struggle unnecessarily. 

“The issue of Federal Government changes related to the employment of working holiday visa holders was recently discussed at the GPA Policy Council meeting as one that can have a real impact on grain growers, with this announcement over the weekend compounding the issue for growers. 

“The Australian grain sector has been facing monumental challenges recently, including fuel and fertiliser supply and prices challenges caused by the Iran war, we don’t need any further burdens imposed by the Government. 

“We know there is significant political pressure on the government in relation to migration numbers, but this shouldn’t lead to a problem for our hard-working grain growers.

”WA Grains Group Chair and GPA Policy Council representative Alastair Falconer, farms in the northern Wheatbelt of WA and regularly seeks out extra labour to support the property in busy periods.

"We've been recruiting lately, with noticeably less working holiday visa holders around to potentially help us for harvest, he said." 

ENDS

Further information:

GPA Chair Matthew Madden: 0457 731 210

WA Grains Group Chair Alastair Falconer: 0428 523 220

GPA Executive Officer Rachael Oxborrow: 0416 705 193