'Love it': Lee is one of thousands of berry pickers as backpackers return to Australia
Backpackers are back in force in Australia and farmers are happy with the increase in rural labour.
Key points: Over 135,000 working holidaymakers arrived in Australia in 2022 and 25,000 visas have been granted since early December. Farmers need tens of thousands of workers to pick, pack and transport fruits and vegetables. Tasmanian berry harvest hits peakIt's a relief for Tasmanian raspberry grower Richard Clark, who has seen a cool, wet spring delay his berry harvest this season.
"It's a very condensed season, so there are a lot of berries in a very short time, which requires a lot of people," he said.
The number of working holiday visa holders has started to grow since Australia reopened its international borders in December 2021, helping to fill an estimated shortfall of 172,000 workers in the food supply chain.
A total of 135,000 working (WHM) visa holders arrived in Australia in 2022, according to the Department of Home Affairs.
As of early December, 24,000 WHM visas have been granted, with many visa holders yet to arrive.
"December 30 By 2022, nearly 73,900 overseas WHM visa holders could travel to Australia," a department spokesperson said.
"Median visa processing times WHM are currently less than a day."
Mr Clark said international travelers supplement the local workforce.
"Without this wave of backpackers at the top, critical period, the fruits fall," he said.
It was almost the case during the pandemic, when the farm managed the harvest without backpackers - but fair.
"It was incredibly difficult to find enough efficient, productive people and firm fit to do the work that was needed during COVID," Clark said.
From Tokyo to rural TasmaniaJapanese backpacker Beniaka Miyamoto said she was happy that Australia has opened up to international travellers.
It has...
Backpackers are back in force in Australia and farmers are happy with the increase in rural labour.
Key points: Over 135,000 working holidaymakers arrived in Australia in 2022 and 25,000 visas have been granted since early December. Farmers need tens of thousands of workers to pick, pack and transport fruits and vegetables. Tasmanian berry harvest hits peakIt's a relief for Tasmanian raspberry grower Richard Clark, who has seen a cool, wet spring delay his berry harvest this season.
"It's a very condensed season, so there are a lot of berries in a very short time, which requires a lot of people," he said.
The number of working holiday visa holders has started to grow since Australia reopened its international borders in December 2021, helping to fill an estimated shortfall of 172,000 workers in the food supply chain.
A total of 135,000 working (WHM) visa holders arrived in Australia in 2022, according to the Department of Home Affairs.
As of early December, 24,000 WHM visas have been granted, with many visa holders yet to arrive.
"December 30 By 2022, nearly 73,900 overseas WHM visa holders could travel to Australia," a department spokesperson said.
"Median visa processing times WHM are currently less than a day."
Mr Clark said international travelers supplement the local workforce.
"Without this wave of backpackers at the top, critical period, the fruits fall," he said.
It was almost the case during the pandemic, when the farm managed the harvest without backpackers - but fair.
"It was incredibly difficult to find enough efficient, productive people and firm fit to do the work that was needed during COVID," Clark said.
From Tokyo to rural TasmaniaJapanese backpacker Beniaka Miyamoto said she was happy that Australia has opened up to international travellers.
It has...
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