<
https://theconversation.com/australias-borders-are-open-so-where-are-all-the-backpackers-192614>
"Backpackers on working holiday maker visas have been a crucial source of farm
labour for decades, alongside smaller numbers of temporary migrants from the
Pacific Islands, international students, and Australians.
In the 2018-19 financial year more than 200,000 people came to Australia on
working holiday maker visas. On average about 35,000 a month – and more than
40,000 in December – worked on farms, picking vegetables, fruit or nuts.
Numbers declined with borders closed to visa holders from March 2020 to
February 2022. But since borders reopened they have not recovered as hoped.
By the end of June almost 100,000 Working Holiday Maker visas had been granted.
But by the end of August just 54,000 visa holders had arrived. With labour
shortages creating more job opportunities in cities and towns, fewer are taking
up farm work.
In regional communities facing extensive labour shortages there is growing
uncertainty as to when – or indeed whether – enough backpackers will return to
Australia to pick, pack, and process fruit and veggies."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
