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.
Eligible approved employers will also have their status recognised for both programs.
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility website, palmscheme.gov.au, has been established for employers to apply to join the PLS and SWP through a single application.
Dr Webster said the SWP and PLS had been better aligned and made flexible so they could better respond to the needs of employers and workers by allowing PLS workers to be recruited in more locations across regional Australia.
This was done 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.
“I know that producers in Mallee are really looking forward to the Australian agriculture visa, and work in that space continues,” she said.
Since the PLS and SWP restarted in September last year, more than 10,600 Pacific and Timorese workers have arrived.
The changes announced will help bring 12,500 additional workers to Australia by March next year, with 27,000 workers already in the work-ready pool.
