POTENTIAL impacts of changed Federal Government visa processing priorities – higher food prices, delayed harvest and workforce shortages — have been highlighted by red meat processors, Victorian farmers and the Coalition.

The Federal Government has confirmed agricultural worker/regional employer-sponsored visas have been given a lower priority under a new ministerial direction and that working holiday makers visas are being processed more slowly.

Peak processor body, the Australian Meat Industry Council, has warned that any slowing of visa approvals is a concern for processors that rely on migration labour to address workforce shortages.

AMIC general manager corporate affairs Jemma Harper said the council understood the direct impact of the reported changes affecting Working Holiday Maker visa processing will vary across businesses.

“Migration labour, including skilled and working holiday visa holders, remains critical to maintaining processing capacity, particularly in regional Australia where labour shortages persist.

“Many meat processors have invested significant time and resources sponsoring skilled workers because those roles cannot be filled locally,” she said.

“Any delays in visa processing create uncertainty for businesses, affect workforce planning and place additional pressure on an already stretched regional workforce.

“Workforce availability directly affects a processor’s ability to operate efficiently, process livestock when it is available and maintain reliable food supply chains.”

Ms Harper said AMIC supports a migration system with appropriate integrity safeguards; however, visa processing settings must remain responsive to genuine labour shortages and provide businesses with the certainty they need to plan and invest.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for practical, evidence-based migration settings that support AMIC members, Australian jobs and the resilience of the nation’s food supply chain.”

VFF sounds the alarm

The Victorian Farmers Federation this week sounded the alarm that the Federal Government’s deliberate go-slow on visa processing is creating significant uncertainty for Victorian farmers, with the state’s agricultural sector heading into critical harvest and peak production periods.

The VFF said agriculture cannot afford for seasonal workforce policy to become caught up in the broader political debate about migration.

VFF president Ryan Milgate said farmers needed certainty and a skilled workforce they could rely on when crops and livestock required it.

“We are already seeing the impacts of workforce uncertainty, and the timing could not be worse as Victorian agriculture heads into peak harvest and production periods.”

“If a crop is ready to harvest and the cattle are needing to milked and the workers are not there, it will be a potential disaster,” he said.

“There will be no option but to let produce it rot on the tree, wilt in the paddock or significantly scale back on-farm production.

“We understand the Government has broader migration issues to manage, but agriculture has very specific skilled seasonal workforce needs,” he said.

“We are working with our national farming counterparts to make sure that message is heard, but we are also calling on decision makers to talk to farmers before making uninformed decisions that will have serious consequences at the farm gate.”

“This isn’t a speculative issue. We’re already hearing real world stories and concerns of workers and farmers trapped in limbo,” Mr Milgate said.

VFF Grains president Jason Mellings said the stakes for grain growers were particularly high this harvest.

“For grain growers, this is shaping up to be one of the most expensive crops we have ever planted.

After facing the fuel and fertiliser crisis in March, and massive increases in input and operating costs, farmers need to get the crop harvested.

“If workforce disruptions mean we cannot get that job done efficiently, farmers could be left with a massive financial hole in their hip pocked,” Mr Mellings said.

VFF Horticulture president Michael Crisera said horticultural growers were especially exposed to delays because crops had narrow harvest windows.

“A shortage of workers at the wrong time can mean produce is left in the field, quality is lost and growers lose income. We need confidence that the workforce will be available when the crop is ready,” Mr Crisera said.

Acting VFF UDV president Mark Billing said the workforce issue extended beyond seasonal harvesting.

“Visa uncertainty makes it harder for farmers to plan their businesses, secure the people we need to keep our farms operating and puts a massive workload on the staff we do have.”

“Fatigue and burnout are real risk at the moment and it’s a real safety issue,” Mr Billing said.

Decisions about agriculture without agriculture …

Mr Milgate said farmers are not asking governments to ignore the broader migration debate.

“We are asking them to recognise that agriculture has a unique workforce and skills requirement and that the consequences of getting this wrong are very real.”

“Our industry needs workers to do our jobs, particularly as we approach harvest.

“If farmers cannot harvest what they have grown, it affects food supply, regional communities and the financial viability of farm businesses,” he said.

“This is why we are calling for governments to work with industry, not make decisions about agriculture without agriculture.

“Before making changes that affect the agricultural workforce, decision makers need to sit down with farmers and understand what is actually happening on the ground,” Mr Milgate said.

Expect food prices to rise – Nationals

Coalition spokesman for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Nationals deputy leader Darren Chester said the Nationals are deeply concerned by reports that harvest workers and skilled agricultural visa applicants are already being caught up in delays and uncertainty under the Albanese Government’s ‘go slow’ on visas.

“Farmers are already operating in an increasingly difficult environment, with rising input costs, labour shortages, biosecurity risks, natural disasters and more red tape.

“Slow visa approvals for returning harvest workers are yet another hurdle being placed in front of the people who grow our food and fibre,” he said.

“Working holiday makers are a critical part of the seasonal agricultural workforce, particularly during peak harvest periods, so the timing of Labor’s delays is critical.

“This is not just an inconvenience for farmers,” he said.

“If growers cannot access the workers they need when crops are ready, it affects food supply, supermarket shelves and the prices Australian families pay at the checkout.”

Mr Chester said it’s also concerning that this issue is not isolated to backpackers.

“Skilled agricultural visa pathways have also taken a hit, adding further pressure to industries already struggling to secure the workforce they need.

“The Albanese Government needs to explain exactly what it is doing to make sure farmers can access the workforce they need before harvest, and provide certainty to growers, workers and regional communities.”

Mr Chester said the Coalition is committed to reducing overall migration while protecting the skilled and seasonal workers regional Australia needs to thrive.

Mr Chester this week further warned Australian families to expect higher prices for fresh produce under the Albanese Government’s ‘go slow’ on visas for skilled workers and working holiday makers.