Visa slowdown leaves Victorian grain grower with half his harvest crew
A visa slowdown has left grain growers short of Canadian harvest workers.
Craig Henderson, a Western Victorian grain grower, needs about 30 workers for harvest. Only four have arrived so far.
Most are Canadians who finish their own season in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The government has slowed visa processing for working holiday makers.
This slowdown began almost three months ago. It has blocked the rest.
The government is giving priority to skilled visas for construction workers. This helps address the housing shortage.
Agriculture was left behind. Henderson says his local unemployment is just 3 percent.
Australian workers are not available. A ripe crop loses value each day it sits unharvested.
It dries and loses weight. He estimates losing 2 to 3 percent of gross income just from the delays.
Weather risk could cause more losses. The backlog will take weeks to clear even once processing resumes.
- 30, only 4 arrived
- Workers needed
- 3 percent
- Local unemployment
- almost 3 months
- Visa slowdown duration
- 2 to 3 percent from delayed harvest
- Potential income loss
Why it mattersVisa delays harm Australia's harvest and food exports. They threaten farm survival through a critical season.
AustraliaAustralian grain farmers face serious income losses and may be forced to work unsustainable hours to harvest before rain damage, while food exports could be affected.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 d ago
