In January 2021, the Morrison government bestowed upon the farmers relief by providing them the temporary relaxation of student visas. Due to the pandemic and other unavoidable circumstances, various Australian industries were badly suffering from a shortage of labour. Amidst this, the agricultural industry was badly hit. Ernst &Young forecasted a labour gap of even 26,000 workers leading up to March 2021.
In order to adjust to these grave labour shortages, farmers have had to change their perspectives and look for other methods or labour sources. Even after doing this, several industries, including the agricultural and horticultural industry, are continuously facing this problem. Traditionally student visa holders have had a limited work capacity of 40 hours per fortnight. However, this is no longer the case and will be for the foreseeable future for several industries, one of which is the agricultural industry.
The temporary relaxation of the 40-hour rule will aid in addressing workforce shortages in the agricultural sector where adequate labour is currently in critical supply. Additionally, the Government has implemented the same relaxation of working hours for secondary visa holders, provided the primary visa holder has commenced their course and meets all other visa requirements. While this is excellent news for the agricultural industry, all employers must be prudent to recognise, overseas workers, including international students, have the same rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees.
Australia’s protected cropping sector has reached another major milestone, with a $168 million acquisition of the country’s largest hydroponic glasshouse facility at Two Wells, South Australia. The purchase, led by Centuria Capital, highlights the growing appetite for agricultural assets as investors seek resilient, long-term opportunities tied to food security and high-value horticulture. Located approximately 50 […]
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Australia’s regional industries such as agriculture and horticulture rely on machinery that must run reliably, especially during high-intensity periods such as harvest, planting and peak processing. However, for years, farmers have faced costly delays, restricted access to diagnostic tools and limited repair options due to manufacturer-controlled repair systems. The national push for a Right to […]
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Australia’s agricultural, horticultural, meat processing and regional industries rely heavily on a stable and capable workforce. Yet for more than a decade, labour shortages have intensified across regional Australia, creating significant challenges for growers, processors and employers who depend on predictable seasonal and long-term staffing. The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme has become one […]
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