VISA PATHWAY WELCOME - But growers need to know about it, and be able to use it
Grain Producers Australia (GPA) welcomes the Albanese Government’s priority pathway for urgent Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa cases, and is urging grain producers who need workers for harvest to use it straight away.
Under the arrangement, urgent farm worker cases are put forward through state farming organisations and the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), with submissions made to the Department of Home Affairs by 3pm each working day.
“This is a solution and we thank the Government for acting,” GPA Chair Matthew Madden said.
“We will see how the process works in action, but growers hopefully now have a way to get critical workers here for harvest.
"However, we are concerned the pathway has arrived with very little notice and very little public detail, right as harvest gets under way.
Growers need clear information and enough time to act, or a good fix won’t do its job.”
GPA is asking the Government to confirm:
1. How long the pathway will run, and how many cases it can handle;
2. Whether growers and applicants will be told the outcome of each case;
3. Where growers can find clear, public information on eligibility and how to apply; and
4. When WHM processing will return to days, not months?
What growers need to know
The pathway is for genuine, urgent cases where a worker has already applied for a WHM visa, has been engaged for work on a specific farm, and whose arrival is critical to the business. Submission does not guarantee faster processing or approval.
Information required for each request
Farm business name, contact email and estimated start dateVisa applicant’s name, date of birth and WHM visa application reference number
“GPA will keep working with Government and industry so this pathway works for grain producers, and on long-term WHM settings that give growers certainty.” Mr Madden said.
ENDS
Further information:
GPA Chair Matthew Madden: 0457 731 210
GPA CEO Duncan Bremner: 0448 822 666
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