Farmers and growers across the North Coast are being urged to look beyond immediate seasonal fixes and focus on long-term workforce sustainability, as the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) takes a stand on federal migration policy.
In a submission to the Value of Skilled Migration to Australia Inquiry, the NFF has highlighted a critical issue that resonates with the region’s horticultural and agricultural sectors: the need to balance skilled migration with the essential semi-skilled and unskilled roles that underpin harvest seasons.
While the North Coast is home to sophisticated operations requiring specialised staff, the NFF argues that policymakers must not lose sight of the foundational workforce needs.
NFF President Hamish McIntyre stated that the sector’s main issue is sustainability, rather than simply where the workers come from.
“The majority of farm labour shortages are in unskilled or semi-skilled roles,” Mr McIntyre said.
“We are more worried about the long-term sustainability of the workforce supplying the agricultural sector, rather than where the workers come from. Rural industries rely on a mix of non-skilled and skilled labour, and policies should reflect that reality.”
For the North Coast’s diverse agribusinesses, however, skilled migration remains a piece of the puzzle. Mr McIntyre acknowledged that niche businesses and technical roles – such as those in agronomy, precision agriculture, and machinery operation – benefit significantly from targeted skilled migration.
“We believe skilled migration should be flexible, targeted, and responsive to genuine regional demand,” he said.
However, in a move that aligns with the need for reliable staffing during peak harvest windows, the NFF recommended that programs assisting existing workers and domestic workforce development should take precedence over minor tweaks to skilled migration parameters.
“Initiatives like seasonal worker programs and domestic workforce development would be of more value to ag than tweaks to skilled migration parameters,” Mr McIntyre said.
The NFF submission serves as a reminder to local growers that the fight for a stable workforce is being waged on the policy front, with a focus on securing the longevity of regional communities.
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