The NSW Nationals in the state government have moved to support primary producers by granting conditional approval for 815 overseas seasonal workers to enter the state, Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall has announced.
Mr Marshall said the workers from Pacific Island countries such as Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu, would work in the state’s horticulture and meat processing industries.
“The NSW Nationals in the state government have given the green light for an additional 815 workers to enter the state, a welcome boost for our primary producers,” Mr Marshall said.
“We have been working very closely with industry to achieve this positive outcome, and I am delighted for our farmers who will receive a vital boost to their workforce.”
To ensure NSW remains COVID-safe, all incoming workers will be required to undergo two weeks’ hotel quarantine according to all public health orders.
Mr Marshall said the 815 arrivals were in addition to the more than 350 skilled workers approved last year, which means NSW will have approved more seasonal worker arrivals than any other state in the country.
“Today’s announcement isn’t a silver bullet, but it is a welcome boost to our workforce and we will continue to work to see more workers arrive in the coming months,” Mr Marshall said.
