Grain Producers Australia says the government will let farm groups submit urgent farm-worker visa cases for priority processing before wheat, barley and canola harvests begin in coming weeks; the system’s capacity and ability to ensure rapid approvals remain unclear.
The Department of Home Affairs said it would work with the National Farmers Federation to prioritize applicants with specific agricultural skills who have applied for a working holiday maker visa, contracted with an employer for agricultural work and need to be in Australia within three months.
Farm groups say processing for working holiday maker visas, used by farms and other rural businesses, had slowed from days to months. The government has announced policies to cut annual immigration by tens of thousands; its measures also set a three-month processing period and restrict visa extensions.
