Dairy farmers experiencing difficulties recruiting suitably experienced and skilled employees now have the option to recruit senior farmhands overseas under a Dairy Industry Labour Agreement with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

The agreement is a standard template setting out the terms and conditions under which these people can now come to Australia under the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa program (457), and work for an approved business for up to 4 years.

The agreement defines a Senior Farmhand as a ‘senior dairy cattle farm worker’ with:

• a Certificate III (or equivalent) and three years recent and relevant experience: or
  
• five years recent and relevant experience.

Overseas workers will be paid the local market salary rate or the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), whichever is the greater, for up to a 45 hour week. 

Farmers are advised to carefully read the information provided and to refer to the template agreement when preparing an application.

Read our Application for a Labour Agreement information (inc paperwork and tips to complete the application)

Note: any queries about the application process or the information required should be directed in the first instance to the Immigration Department on labour.agreement.section@border.gov.au