Farmers cut deal with government over backpacker visa delays

The National Farmers Federation (NFF) and the federal government have reached an agreement to expedite urgent visa requests for backpacker workers in the agriculture sector. Working holiday visa applicants who provide a genuine need for labor on farms, such as harvest and fruit picking, can have their applications processed more quickly under this deal.

However, approvals are not guaranteed and are subject to the Department of Home Affairs assessment process. The deal comes in response to visa processing delays that began in August, which have left farmers in regional areas without sufficient labor for their harvests. NFF spokesperson Michael Guerin stated that farmers have received a reprieve and that the government is prioritizing urgent visa applications in good faith.

While the deal addresses a critical labor shortage, NFF officials are concerned that it does not provide a long-term solution and that broader reform of migration policies is necessary.