Labour shortages impact many occupations in the rural sector from nurses, doctors, vets and pharmacists to
mechanics, metal fabricators and dairy managers.
Some industries find a solution to the skilled worker shortages through the sponsorship of overseas workers. Although the visa sponsoring process is complicated and costly, businesses often have no other options.
“The sponsorship process is not widely understood by the general public,” Susan Murphy, a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) who has worked at Warren Graham and Murphy as an RMA for nine years, said.
Susan helps businesses with the sponsorship of overseas workers who need visas.
“Sponsoring someone from overseas needs three separate processes: the process to become an approved sponsor, the nomination of the worker and the visa application,” Susan said.
“Each of the applications is separate and must meet its own criteria such as certain qualification levels and years of experience.”
Susan sees very positive outcomes from business owners who tentatively enquire about sponsoring and employing someone from overseas, to wondering why they didn’t do it earlier.
Skilled occupations, for example, those in the medical profession, chefs and some trade occupations, are on the skilled visa lists, lists of occupations which are eligible to be sponsored under the relevant visa subclasses. Other occupations, such as deck hands and dairy hands are not on the skilled lists. Labour Agreements, an agreement between the business owner and the Commonwealth government, make it possible to employ an overseas worker in industries such as dairy, horticulture, fishing, aged care and religious organisations.
Ben Friend from Lakes Entrance, whose family has been in the fishing industry for decade, said, “It has taken the stress out of trying to find fishing crew”.
“Our new deck hand from the Philippines is a hard worker and reliable,” Ben said.
Many preconceptions about overseas workers being paid less than Australian workers exist.
“Businesses that sponsor someone from overseas, no matter where they are from, must pay the worker the same rate as an equivalent Australian worker and not less than a minimum legislated rate,” Susan said.
“The current minimum rate is $73,150 per annum for a standard skilled sponsorship and $66,000 for a worker under a Labour Agreement. The rates are set to increase on July 1.”
Workers have the same rights as Australian workers including access to sick leave, holiday pay and superannuation.
“It is important to seek correct advice about employing a skilled worker,” Susan said.
“The process is complex and it is easy for people to make a mistake if they are not familiar with it. The criteria, including the skills lists, change regularly.”
Craig Fletcher from Kooringa Organic farms in Meerlieu could not operate without his three dairy operators.
“It is very hard to get locals to work in the dairy industry,” Craig said.
“My workforce consists of family members and my overseas workers. They are loyal and hard-working. Two of them are brothers and they work well together. Our farm is a family affair.”
