On 5 March 2022, the Australian Agriculture Worker stream visa opened for applications. It is a stream of the Temporary Work (International Relations) subclass 403 visa. The program provides for the entry and temporary stay of workers from participating countries to work across primary industry sectors including:
- Horticultural
- Meat processing
- Dairy
- Wool
- Grains
- Fisheries (including aquaculture)
- Forestry
The Australian Agriculture Visa program aims to address workforce shortages in the agriculture sector by building on existing government programs. The Australian Government intends the program to support Australia’s agricultural and primary industry sectors as they strive to reach $100 billion in value by 2030. The program is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The announcement of this program is excellent news for Australian employers in the agriculture sector as it offers greater flexibility to sponsor skilled, semi-skilled and even low-skilled workers within specific occupations across these sectors.
What we know about the Australian Agriculture Visa so far:
- Initial applications from workers to participate in the Agriculture Visa program will need to be made offshore
- Workers must meet the following criteria to be able to participate in the program:
- Be sponsored by a Temporary Activities Sponsor (TAS) who is an employer approved by DFAT to participate in the program;
- Be supported by DFAT to participate in the program;
- Have the necessary skills to perform in the occupation in which they are being employed;
- Have minimum English language skills (IELTS average band score of 4.0 – or equivalent), or higher when the specific occupation requires it;
- Meet the minimum age requirement of 21 years of age with no maximum age requirement;
- Have adequate health insurance for the period of stay in Australia
- Meet all character and health requirements
- Workers cannot include family members as dependents
How to become an approved employer under the Agriculture Visa program?
- Employers directly recruiting employees from overseas will need to be approved to participate in the program as a Temporary Activity Sponsor (TAS)
- Employers who wish to employ agriculture visa holders who are already in Australia need to be approved to participate in the program but not required to be a TAS
- All participating employers will have to meet a series of requirements including:
- Becoming an approved employer under the Agriculture Visa program
- Signing a Deed of Agreement with DFAT that sets out their obligations as participants in the program including employee protections, conditions and standards
- Once employers are approved to participate in the Agriculture Visa program and have signed the Deed of Agreement, the process of recruiting employees involves:
- Providing evidence of DFAT of labour market testing;
- Submitting a recruitment, accommodation and transport plan to DFAT
- Providing employees with a written offer of employment
- Managing recruitment arrangements in line with program guidelines
Are you interested in the Australian Agriculture Visa program? Get in touch with Migration Affairs today.
