Farmers are calling for practical and common-sense workforce and regulatory reforms to address ongoing labour shortages in Australian agriculture and support improved productivity outcomes.
NSW Farmers' President Xavier Martin said agricultural businesses depend on a consistent and suitably skilled workforce, and decisive action is needed from political leaders during this federal election to deliver the workforce regional Australia requires.
"An extended AgCAREERSTART program, increased support for graduate veterinarians in regional areas, and broader initiatives to develop and train future farm communities are essential to the long-term sustainability of the agriculture sector," Mr Martin said.
"Investment in farmworker accommodation and regional infrastructure is also necessary to attract and retain workers in the areas where they are needed. Improving the liveability of regional areas plays a critical role in workforce retention."
Mr Martin said reducing the complexity and cost of complying with industrial relations laws was a priority for primary producers.
"Workplace regulations must support productivity, not inhibit it. Compliance processes need to be streamlined so farmers can focus on running their businesses efficiently," he said.
Mr Martin added that improvements to migration programs are also required to ensure farmers can access international labour to fill roles that cannot be met by the domestic workforce.
"We continue to call for the retention of specified work requirements for working holiday makers, as well as streamlined visa processing for skilled and semi-skilled workers in agriculture," he said.
NSW Farmers is also urging the Albanese Government to reconsider its position on the PALM scheme's 30-hour minimum work guarantee if re-elected and called for reforms that improve accessibility and reduce complexity for employers.
