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Harvest Worker Shortage FAQS
How many workers is industry short?
Modelling completed by EY indicates industry could be short by up to 26,000 people in March 2021. The level of shortage will depend on a number of factors including, opening of international border, access to workers from the Pacific and Timor Leste and success of any other interventions from industry and Governments.
Why does horticulture employee migrants and backpackers? Historically, it has been difficult to attract and retain a local workforce in horticulture, this has been attributed to a number of factors surrounding the nature of the work and the nature of the location of fresh produce production. These factors have had a significant impact on the availability, quality, and retention of a highly productive workforce.
The two key factors are: A. Nature of the work • Often physical work outside in variable weather conditions • Work periods and location dependent on the products being harvested - Many roles are short term, with some lasting only a few weeks.
B. Nature of the locations • Remote – difficult to travel, low level of service and accommodation • Regional – competition from other industries, opportunities in capital cities • Metropolitan – competition from other industry sectors for capable and skilled people
The two key factors are: A. Nature of the work • Often physical work outside in variable weather conditions • Work periods and location dependent on the products being harvested - Many roles are short term, with some lasting only a few weeks.
B. Nature of the locations • Remote – difficult to travel, low level of service and accommodation • Regional – competition from other industries, opportunities in capital cities • Metropolitan – competition from other industry sectors for capable and skilled people
Due to COVID-19 unemployment in Australia is high, why aren't Australians picking fruit? This is a complex question. Industry data on job applications indicates that the further a job is from a major or capital city, the lower the rate of applications are from Australian citizens and permanent residents. Based on data collected from AFPA member companies and large labour hire providers in the sector, it is possible to see that the further a harvest work role is from both a capital or regional city, the fewer the number of applications from Australians.
How do I get a job picking fruit and vegetables? Employers in industry utilise a range of recruitment tools. Jobs in industry are advertised on Seek, Indeed, JobActive, Harvest Trail and employers own websites or social media. Much like other areas of the economy, preference is usually given to those who have industry experience, however, there are ongoing opportunities for motivated and reliable workers with no industry experience.
What has Government done to fix this problem? The Federal Government has introduced a range of incentives to assist workers to relocate regionally to undertake harvest work. Additionally, the Federal Government has made provisions for workers to extend their visas to remain in Australia and work in industry and has enabled the processing of new visas under the Seasonal Worker Program. Despite these actions, there has not been a significant increase in the workers available to industry.
State and Territory governments have each undertaken their own initiatives. The Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania have all enabled workers from the Pacific and Timor Leste to quarrantine in their State or Territory prior to undertaking horticulture work. Again, while this is welcome by indusry, the additional 1,000 workers does not come close to meeting the 26,000 shortage. A list of initiatives undertaken by the Federal Government to assist visa holders is available here.
What are the supermarkets doing? The AFPA has regularly been briefing major retailers. The major retailers are aware of this issue and the challenge it is presenting to industry.
What is industry doing? The AFPA and other industry associations have been engaging with all levels of government on this issue from March 2020. Industry and individual growers have undertaken and supported a number of initiatives to attempt to resolve the workforce shortages. Again, while there has been some limited success, it has not been at the required scale to address the complete shortage.
Why are fresh fruit and vegetables so expensive?There are a number of factors here, although the answer really comes down to supply and demand. Where demand from Australian consumers outstrips supply, the price of fruit and vegetables will rise. The challenge currently, is that while there are enough fruit and vegetables to supply demand, farmers cannot physically get these crops to supermarkets/greengrocers/market. This creates a scenario where demand outsrips supply driving a higher price or in some instances, there will be a shortage of product on shelf.
What has Government done to fix this problem? The Federal Government has introduced a range of incentives to assist workers to relocate regionally to undertake harvest work. Additionally, the Federal Government has made provisions for workers to extend their visas to remain in Australia and work in industry and has enabled the processing of new visas under the Seasonal Worker Program. Despite these actions, there has not been a significant increase in the workers available to industry.
State and Territory governments have each undertaken their own initiatives. The Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania have all enabled workers from the Pacific and Timor Leste to quarrantine in their State or Territory prior to undertaking horticulture work. Again, while this is welcome by indusry, the additional 1,000 workers does not come close to meeting the 26,000 shortage. A list of initiatives undertaken by the Federal Government to assist visa holders is available here.
What are the supermarkets doing? The AFPA has regularly been briefing major retailers. The major retailers are aware of this issue and the challenge it is presenting to industry.
What is industry doing? The AFPA and other industry associations have been engaging with all levels of government on this issue from March 2020. Industry and individual growers have undertaken and supported a number of initiatives to attempt to resolve the workforce shortages. Again, while there has been some limited success, it has not been at the required scale to address the complete shortage.
Why are fresh fruit and vegetables so expensive?There are a number of factors here, although the answer really comes down to supply and demand. Where demand from Australian consumers outstrips supply, the price of fruit and vegetables will rise. The challenge currently, is that while there are enough fruit and vegetables to supply demand, farmers cannot physically get these crops to supermarkets/greengrocers/market. This creates a scenario where demand outsrips supply driving a higher price or in some instances, there will be a shortage of product on shelf.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that Australian horticulture employs 72,800 people across 11,490 individual businesses . Employment in horticulture can be separated into three distinct functional areas. 1. Harvest Labour: harvesting, picking, packing, planting and maintenance (e.g. pruning) of horticultural crops2. Technical Expertise3. Management & Administration