New Agriculture 403 Visa

Australian Agriculture Visa Information

The Australian Government recently announced the Australian Agriculture Visa, a stream of the Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa – Subclass 403. The Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud has said that “[Australian Agriculture] visa will provide a long-term, reliable workforce for our critical industries…”.

The Australian Agriculture Visa came into effect through amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 on 30 September 2021. Due to COVID-19 and border restrictions, temporary international migrants that previously travelled to supplement the workforce in Australia’s agricultural industries has significantly reduced.

The Australian Agriculture Visa is introduced in response to industry needs and to re-commence international recruitment for skilled, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers for the following agricultural industries: meat processing, fishery, and forestry sectors. The visa program and its regulations will be designed through industry consultation and workers will arrive in Australia through a phased approach which will be subject to quarantine arrangements with state governments.

Phases of Implementation

Phase 1 From December 2021 to April 2022

• Only open to Approved Employers who already form part of the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme
• Small cohort of agricultural workers dependent on:
  • Border restrictions
  • Country readiness
  • Availability of quarantine

Phase 2 From April 2022

• Increase in the number of agricultural workers participating in the new subclass 403 visa stream
• Expanded number of bi-lateral labour agreements with countries to increase the number of those participating

How will the Government recruit international migrant workers under the new Australian Agriculture Visa scheme?

For Phase 1 of the recruitment process, the Government will invite a small number of countries and Approved Employers who are already part of the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme to participate. This ensures that the visa scheme commences with accredited and experienced stakeholders.

The Phase 2 recruitment process will be published at a later date. An update will be provided once further information is released.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant must be a worker participating in the Australian Agriculture Worker Program (the Program)

An approved sponsor has agreed to sponsor the applicant, and the sponsor is: - Temporary activities sponsor - Participating as an employer in the Program

The sponsor has not withdrawn the sponsor's agreement with the applicant

The sponsor has not ceased to sponsor the applicant

There is no adverse information known to Immigration about the sponsor or an association of the sponsor; or It is reasonable to disregard adverse information known to Immigration about the sponsor or an association of the sponsor

The applicant: - Seeking to enter Australia for the purpose of the Program - Is in Australia and holds a subclass 403 visa in the Australian Agriculture Worker stream or it was the last substantive visa held by the applicant - The applicant satisfies the public interest criteria 4005 and 4019

How do I apply? Is there a pathway to permanent residency? How many visa places are available?

The Government and the Department of Home Affairs are still working on the details regarding:

• The application process
• Potential pathways to permanent residency
• Number of visa places available

These details are in the process of being determined through industry consultation. Once further information is released, this page will be updated.

The new Agriculture Visa will be made available to citizens from 10 countries in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.

Countries in ASEAN include:

• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Myanmar
• The Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Vietnam