To better meet the workforce needs of the accommodation sector in rural and regional Australia, the Australian Government announced Tuesday that Australian employers in the accommodation sector unable to find enough local Australian workers to meet their seasonal labour needs can access the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP).
The SWP provides employers with access to workers from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste for up to 9 months. Seasonal workers can return in following seasons, providing employers with access to a reliable, returning workforce. The SWP is a win- win, it helps Australian employers fill workforce gaps and also contributes to the economic development of participating countries.
If you would like to apply to join the SWP, please register online through the streamlined application process.
Once you have become an Approved Employer you can commence labour market testing, and the recruitment of workers. For further information refer to the accommodation factsheet available on the new PALM website.
COVID-19 and international travel
In August 2020, the Government permitted Approved Employers to restart bringing Pacific and Timorese workers to Australia in a targeted and controlled way. Over 10,000 Pacific workers have arrived since then. The Australian Government is currently working with Pacific governments, states and territories to bring in an additional 12,500 workers to Australia by March 2022.
More information
For further information, please contact the SWP information line on 02 6240 5234.
FOR THE DESTINATIONQ FORUM CLICK HERE
