The Agricultural Worker Visa will allow skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers from a range of countries to come and work in our farming, fishery, and forestry sectors.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said this will greatly assist the many industries in our region, including our blueberry farms who are constantly looking for workers.

“The agriculture visa will be in place no later than 30 September of this year, with the full implementation of this demand driven visa complete within three years,” Mr Hogan said.

“The agriculture workforce shortage has been a major issue during COVID. While our farmers and industries have gone about their work keeping Australians and the world fed and clothed, they have done so under workforce constraints.”

“We’ve listened to our communities and our industries, and this is what they’ve asked for. It will also encourage the next generation of farmers knowing that their future is bright and prosperous.”

“With the changes to the Working Holiday Maker program following the UKFTA, the Government knew this was the time to put the agriculture visa in place.”

“This is a structural change to the agricultural workforce. It gives our farmers a confidence to know they can go and plant a crop and know that they’ll be able to get it off.”