Meat industry faces worker shortage after visa policy changes
Australian meat producers are facing significant delays and labor shortages due to new visa processing priorities that favor domestic applicants. Companies like Pindan Beef Co are struggling to staff facilities despite having identified overseas workers.
Why it matters
The policy change highlights the tension between domestic labor market protection and the operational needs of regional industries.
The long-awaited opening of Pindan Beef Co has been delayed. ( Supplied: Haydn Sale )
The long-awaited reopening of northern Western Australia's only major abattoir will be pushed to next year after changes to visa processing priorities.
The changes are also set to impact a mixed farm enterprise in the south where a piggery expansion is underway.
Employers affected by recent visa processing changes say it is unclear when their overseas employees will be able to start work.
Link copied Share Share article West Australian abattoirs and pork producers say recent visa changes and the near impossibility of attracting local employees to fill vacancies are leaving them facing severe worker shortages.
Just one Australian resident responded when an abattoir took out advertisements seeking 60 skilled workers for its facility near Broome in WA's far north Kimberley, according to Yougawalla Pastoral Company general manager Haydn Sale.
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