The Australian Government is being encouraged to study Canada’s successful worker visa scheme to fill the increasing labour shortage on Australian farms – by allowing seasonal workers to get full-time residency and the creation of a new semi-skilled visa category.

In its submission to the Federal Government’s 'A Migration System for Australia’s Future' the National Farmers Federation (NFF) says many potential migrant agricultural workers are falling through the cracks because they do not meet the criteria for the skilled migration scheme and are not from one of nine countries eligible under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility program.

“We would encourage the government to consider a dedicated semi-skilled visa option specific to the agricultural sector," the NFF said. "Canada may serve as a guide.”

The Canadian model allows farms to hire foreign workers from any country and into virtual any semi-skilled and skilled on-farm role if a permanent resident is not available to fill the position.

Under this program, a work permit can be issued for up to three years for a high wage position (above the median) and two years for a low-wage position, with the employment duration aligning with the employer’s reasonable employment needs and the salary meeting market rates.

NFF President Fiona Simson told the Western Plains App “We would like to see a new dedicated semi-skilled visa option specific to the farm sector."

"Canada has an “Agricultural Stream” under its "Temporary Foreign Worker Program” which allows farms to hire foreign workers from any country and into almost any semi-skilled and skilled on-farm role if a permanent resident is not available to fill the position”.

Call to adopt Canada’s “Agricultural Stream”

In its 2019 budget, the Canadian Government responded to the problem of labour shortages in agricultural industries by introducing the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot. It began in early 2020. 

The program aims of increasing short-term season work permits by allowing these workers to get permanent residence in Canada - allowing workers and their families to live in Canada for as long as they want.

The Agri-Food Pilot provides a new pathway to permanent residence for experienced non-seasonal workers in specific agri-food industries and occupations, including “livestock labourers” and “harvesting labourers”.

The pilot will run until 2023 and accepts 2,750 applications each year.

"This pathway to permanent residency increases the attractiveness of these programs significantly in comparison to Australia where no such program exists in the standard visa system,” Ms Simson told the Western Plains App.

Australia’s top peak food industry bodies estimate that the food supply chain is currently short at least 172,000 workers from paddock to plate.

“This massive labour shortage will have significant long-term impacts on price and the availability of food for the consumer unless solutions are found quickly,” Ms Simson said.