New Agricultural Worker Visa is now available

The new Australian Agricultural Worker visa is now open for applications as a new stream in the subclass 403 (Temporary Work (International Relations) visa.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will manage the AAWP and will negotiate bilateral agreements with foreign governments for the program. Only visa applicants from countries that are a party to an AAWP agreement may participate in this program.

This new stream will allow workers for the primary industry sectors, including horticulture, dairy, wool, grains, meat processing, fisheries and forestry to be sponsored by approved employers only.

As with the Seasonal Worker Program and the Pacific Labour Scheme streams, employers participating in the AAWP will be required to have completed the accreditation process approved by DFAT and to be a temporary activities sponsor.

Visas will be valid for up to 4 years with multiple entries and defined annual maximum stays of 7 or 10 months in any 12 month period. The distinction between the two stay periods has not yet been announced.

The Australia – United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (AUKFTA) is the first bilateral agreement that includes AAWP arrangements but it has not yet come into effect.  More countries will be added to the AAWP once further agreements are negotiated.

 
For more information on how this may affect you, contact our migration team:
Phone: 08 8946 2999
Email: wardkeller@wardkeller.com.au

Please click here to download this information as a PDF.