Summary of publication
The Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) enabled almost 6,200 workers from Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to participate in seasonal horticultural and hospitality work in Australia over the 2016-17 year. The Labour Mobility Assistance Programme (LMAP) supports SWP labour sending countries to increase the number and quality of workers participating in SWP and support activities to increase the benefits to workers and their communities resulting from their participation.
Fourteen, out of 93, Approved Employers responded to the Survey. Respondents represent Agricultural businesses (64%), labour hire firms (29%), and Accommodation Businesses (7%). Analysis confirms that demand for seasonal workers in Australia continues to increase – on average each respondent will require an additional 94 workers each in the 2017-18 financial year (compared to 2016-17), with SWP workers comprising 89% of this need.