Labour and OH&S

APL acknowledges that pig producers may have experienced difficulties in recruiting qualified people at all levels of employment within the industry.  Lack of staff can mean lower pig productivity, risk to occupational health and safety and an impact on pig welfare. Worker shortages have been a large challenge to production, with some producers forced to rely on casual labour. There are ways to find alternative labour strategies that APL has investigated on your behalf.

Temporary Business (Long Stay) Standard Business Sponsorship (Subclass 457) – 457 Visas

457 visas have been used widely by pig producers to employ overseas workers on a short term basis, up to four years. For some producers, higher skilled occupations (ANZSCO 1-4) are available via the 457 Visa System. These include personnel who can include pig veterinarians for example. 457 Visas also allow those overseas workers to bring eligible secondary applicants with them to Australia to work or study.

You must pay these overseas workers the market salary rate. The Subclass 457 visa holder must be provided the same terms and conditions that are provided to the equivalent Australian worker. You must also meet benchmarks relating to the training of Australian citizens and permanent residents. More information is available from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Contact the Labour Agreement section at DIAC:
You are encouraged to contact Norberta Pereira, an outreach officer for DIAC for farmers. Her details are:

Norberta Pereira
Outreach Officer
0434 078 623
Norberta.pereira@immi.gov.au

DIAC

The Labour Agreements unit in DIAC are very responsive to enquiries. They also encourage employers to directly contact them with any questions on Labour.Agreement.Section@immi.gov.au – the appropriate person in their team will get back to you and the email is checked daily.
A useful reference for businesses is at http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/la/

Labour Agreements

However for semi-skilled employees with ANZSCO skill levels of 5-7, some producers may find it difficult to hire under the 457 Visa system and can pursue semi-skilled employers via a Labour Agreement.

APL met with the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and DIAC to talk about producer difficulties hiring semi-skilled workers. Labour Agreements are formal arrangements to recruit a number of overseas skilled workers. Both temporary and permanent visas can be granted under the agreement. Agreements are generally effective for two to three years.

There is no charge for negotiating a Labour Agreement. Some producers have opted to go down this path and negotiate on the terms and conditions directly with DIAC. Any such Labour Agreements for your business must be approved by the relevant Federal Minister.

Producers are welcome to contact the APL’s Policy division or DIAC on your own 457 visa or Labour Agreement.

Where to find employees

Contact RimFire Resources or Workhorse Recruitment for new staff:
http://www.rimfireresources.com.au/
http://www.workhorserecruitment.com.au/