Release type: Media Release

Date:

Pacific Seasonal Worker Programme

Ministers:

Senator the Hon Eric Abetz
Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for Employment
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
Senator for Tasmania

The Government has today announced amendments to the Pacific Seasonal Worker Programme to better support farmers and to respond to community concerns.

 

The Government has decided to remove the arbitrary caps on places within the horticultural and trial components of the programme imposed by the former government.

 

The programme will continue to operate within the existing 12,000-place cap.

 

“The Government has listened to community concerns and decided to make this common-sense change,” Employment Minister Senator Eric Abetz said today.

 

“The scheme retains a demand-driven approach and participating employers must exhaust the local job market before recruiting foreign seasonal workers, meaning that no Australian worker will be displaced by this change.

 

“Australian job seekers remain the Government’s priority.”