The Federal Government is seeking submissions from interested stakeholders on options for further enhancing Australia’s highly successful Pacific labour mobility initiatives: the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS).

The SWP and PLS address labour shortages in rural and regional Australia when there is an unmet demand, and support the economic and social development of the Pacific and Timor-Leste by offering Pacific workers short to medium-term employment in Australia.

Recent events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have brought into sharp focus workforce shortages in critical industry sectors, including agriculture, and raised the profile of Pacific labour.

As we look ahead to life beyond the pandemic, with an altered labour market and growing demand in some sectors, now is the time to consider how to improve and streamline the two programs.

How to make a submission:

Please go to the consultation website to view the discussion paper and for more information on how to make a submission.

The consultation period will close on Sunday 18 July 2021.

AUSVEG will be making a submission on behalf of the vegetable and potato industry.

If you would like to discuss this with AUSVEG, please contact AUSVEG National Manager – Public Affairs Tyson Cattle via email at tyson.cattle@ausveg.com.au.