This short project ran in 2020 to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the horticulture sector in accessing and securing their casual workforce. The study provided an 18-month outlook on the casual labour demand across different regions, to support industry discussion on longer-term COVID-19 responses.

Extensive stakeholder consultation across the sector was conducted and a nationwide survey to determine production patterns, casual labour requirements and how COVID-19 had already impacted their businesses.

In 2021, Hort Innovation completed the second phase of a study into the impact of COVID-19 on the horticulture sector in accessing and securing their casual workforce.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

• Onion Fund
• Potato – Fresh Fund
• Potato – Processing Fund
• Vegetable Fund