Australiaʼs Seasonal Worker Program: Working Out Ways to Manage Risk

Abstract

Australiaʼs structured migration pathway for seasonal workers from the Pacific and Timor-Leste has evolved in many ways since starting as a pilot in mid 2008. These programme changes have not only included different names and managing agencies but also a stricter governance regime for managing risk. The paper explains how the operating context for the programme has shaped the governance changes. This environment has included media and union pressures to address incidents of alleged worker mistreatment. Also important was the rapid growth in worker numbers from Pacific countries during Covid. However, since then the number of seasonal workers working in agriculture has shrunk considerably. This has been due in part to the return of working holiday makers in large numbers. Also important is the decreased employer demand for seasonal workers engaged under stricter risk management requirements set recently by governments.