AUSVEG, the peak industry body for vegetable and potato growers, has welcomed the signing of legislation by the Governor General for the Australian Agriculture Visa, which is a key piece to solving the horticulture industry’s labor puzzle for the future.
As outlined in the regulations that were introduced, the Australian Agriculture Visa will be a stream of the Temporary Work (International Relations) subclass 403 visa and will offer a 4-year, multiple entry visa targeting short-term and long-term workers.
The visa will include low-skilled and skilled workers from ASEAN countries and will have the ability to be expanded to include other countries.
“This is a significant moment for the Australian vegetable and potato industry, which relies heavily on an efficient and reliable workforce to get its products to market,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.
“The signing shows that the Federal Government has listened to industry’s concerns and acted. We will continue to work with government on the development of the visa to ensure it meets the needs of growers and workers.”