In brief
- Farm groups say skilled migrants fill labour shortages, support food security and help sustain regional communities.
- Agricultural bodies want campaigns highlighting skilled migrants’ role as pressure grows to curb migration.
According to agricultural organizations, skilled migrants do not usurp Australian jobs; rather, they address crucial labor shortages, enhance cultural diversity, and help revitalize rural communities.
Leading agricultural associations have called for an inquiry to consider launching educational initiatives highlighting the vital contributions of skilled migrants. This comes amid demands from conservative parties to limit the influx of overseas arrivals.
The inquiry aims to evaluate the economic, social, and cultural benefits of skilled migration in Australia. Scheduled for a session in Canberra on Friday, it will gather input from farmers, small business representatives, and foreign affairs officials.
Dairy farmers, in particular, are heavily dependent on skilled labor, with more than 40 percent of dairy operations expected to employ overseas workers in 2024, as noted in a joint submission by Australian Dairy Farmers and Dairy Australia.
The submission also emphasized that public trust could be bolstered through clear communication, reinforcing that skilled migration is designed to “complement, not displace, local workers.”
“Their presence reduces misconceptions, strengthens social cohesion, fills local schools, contributes to community organisations, and sustains regional service economies.”
Skilled migrants are also key to food security and the availability of fresh produce, the Australian Meat Industry Council’s submission said.
Public awareness campaigns about overseas workers’ value could be backed by community events to reduce misconceptions and help migrants and long-term residents connect, it said.
“Improved understanding would help shift the narrative from a narrow focus on numbers to an appreciation of who migrants are, what skills they bring, and how they keep regional Australia working.”
Labor is facing intensifying pressure from One Nation and the Coalition to put a lid on migration to reduce demand for housing and services.
Measures revealed in Tuesday’s budget showed that of the 185,000 places allocated for permanent migrants in 2026/27, more than 132,000 will be for skilled workers.
The visa allocations will put downward pressure on net overseas migration, the budget document said.
Anti-immigration rhetoric has resurfaced in recent months.
Since the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in December, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has claimed overseas arrivals are linked to fraying social cohesion.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor has promised to only allow arrivals equivalent to the number of homes built in the previous year.
A submission to the inquiry from the National Farmers’ Federation said a sustainable workforce was more important than where it was sourced from.
Skilled migrants often brought valuable international expertise and perspectives, it said.
“Passing on their culture and values can only be of benefit to communities in regional Australia.”
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