Government Speeds Up Visa Processing for Farm Workers Amid Labor Shortages
The Australian government has reached an agreement with the National Farmers Federation to speed up the processing of working holiday visa applications for farm workers. This comes after pressure from industry groups, including the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), to reverse a decision to slow down the process.
Under the new deal, farmers are required to provide information about their business and the applicants they seek, along with application reference numbers and start dates. The VFF is collating these requests daily and forwarding them to the Department of Home Affairs in batches.
Some farm owners have reported receiving visa approvals within 24 hours, giving them a much-needed boost ahead of the harvest season. Brett Matthews of Rupanyup said he finally got one Danish worker 'over the line' after initially submitting an application in late July. However, he is still waiting for approval on several others.
Murray Mott, owner of Mott Farming, praised the new system, saying it would provide a short-term fix for labor shortages during harvest time. He noted that backpackers are often employed during this period as they can be trained to operate agricultural machinery quickly.