Advocacy in Action | Workforce
A stable and skilled workforce is the backbone of Queensland horticulture, yet growers continue to face major challenges in securing and retaining labour. This year, QFVG has led the charge to ensure training settings and workforce policies reflect the real needs of growers, not just government priorities.
One clear message has emerged from grower conversations across the state: training matters. Not just the compliance-driven variety, but practical, on-farm training that keeps workers longer, builds productivity, and strengthens businesses.
Through SmartAg – a Queensland Government-funded training incentive delivered by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) with the support of its members - QFVG helped 70 growers complete training in areas such as safety, HR/IR, and business systems. The success of this initiative was underpinned by training needs identified by the Queensland Horticulture Council and supported by the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN).
On a policy front, in May of 2024 the Federal Government announced the end of the Harvest Trail Service after 26 years. QFVG quickly stepped in expressing strong disappointment and highlighted the impact this decision would have on seasonal workforce planning. Since then, QAWN Officers have fielded hundreds of calls from both growers and jobseekers, working to connect them with what alternatives exist. While a disappointment to industry the end of the Harvest Trail Services provided an opportunity to open conversations with government and industry about longer-term solutions.
We also saw movement on the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme. A last-minute change in June meant that instead of a rigid 30-hour minimum each week, growers now have a 120-hour threshold across four weeks - but only for a year. While this adjustment provided some short-term relief, it didn’t resolve the deeper issue: the scheme must be commercially viable and flexible enough to match horticulture’s seasonal realities. That remains a key part of our advocacy.
Alongside this, we’ve been a strong voice in the Migration Review, ensuring that Queensland growers’ perspectives are heard on issues from Working Holiday Visa rules to the 88-day requirement. With limited consultation opportunities in Queensland, QFVG has made sure growers’ concerns were on the table in national discussions that will shape the workforce for years to come.
Through every policy shift and review, our position has remained firm: horticulture requires a stable, productive, and returning workforce which is able to operate within the nuances of the industry’s seasonal nature. We continue to advocate for practical, workable, and grower-led workforce solutions that build the skills, capacity, and resilience the industry needs to thrive.
