MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster has welcomed the first stage of reforms to Australia’s labour mobility programs – the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) and the Seasonal Worker Program (SWP).
“These improvements will make these programs easier to access, protect worker welfare, and better meet the workforce needs of regional Australia,” Dr Webster said.
“The PLS and SWP are highly-valued by producers and businesses in Mallee, as they are in our partner countries in the Pacific.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pacific and Timorese workers have been the lifeblood of many regional businesses, ensuring meat could be processed and crops could be harvested.”
Dr Webster said the centrepiece of the reforms was a single streamlined application process for both the PLS and SWP offering more flexibility and less red tape.
“This will ensure the Pacific labour programs continue to meet critical worker shortages and remain the Federal Government’s leading workforce program into the future,” she said.
Eligible approved employers will also have their status recognised for both programs.
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) website (palmscheme.gov.au) has been established for employers to apply to join the PLS and SWP through a single application.
In addition, the SWP and PLS have been more aligned and flexible so they can better respond to the needs of employers and workers, by allowing PLS workers to be recruited in more locations across regional Australia by reducing postcode restrictions to better align with the SWP.
Dr Webster said the changes would deliver “immediate” improvements, including expanded access to Pacific workers for new and existing employers.
“Today’s announcement is the first phase of reforms to the PLS and SWP, with further measures to address portability and red tape to be announced later this year,” she said.
“I know that producers in Mallee are really looking forward to the Australian agriculture visa, and work in that space continues.
“However, our Pacific labour programs will continue to play an important role in meeting demand for workforce.
“Now that these programs are easier to access, growers will have greater confidence and success with these schemes.”
Since the PLS and SWP recommenced in September last year, more than 10,600 Pacific and Timorese workers have arrived from participating countries.
The changes announced will help bring an additional 12,500 workers to Australia by March next year, with 27,000 workers already in the work-ready pool.
