2022-23 Annual Wage Review: Submission
The NFF recognises the extraordinarily challenging and uncertain nature of the global and domestic economic environment. In the medium-term, Australian farmers face a decline in gross production value, with a return to drier conditions and weakening global commodity prices. The NFF recommends that the Commission seriously considers these issues when making their determination until economic […]
Wage review must consider the rising cost of farming
As the Fair Work Commission considers submissions for the annual Wage Review, farmers are calling for a cautious approach that considers the unrelenting economic challenges facing the industry. National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said workers were entitled to the right to earn a fair and liveable wage, but a balance must […]
Submission to Migration, Pathway to Nation Building Inquiry
The National Farmers’ Federation thanks the Joint Standing Committee onMigration for this opportunity to make a submission on the “Migration, Pathway to Nation Building Inquiry”. We are buoyed by the interest in developing purpose built migration settings that will enable a sustainable agricultural workforcealongside a thriving regional Australia. To read the full submission click here. […]
IWD2023 Applications open for Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program
he National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is proud to mark International Women’s Day 2023 by opening applications its Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program. The flagship program provides mentoring for women who want to play a leading role in shaping the future of Australian agriculture. It will give 12 aspiring women from across the country the chance […]
Spreading PALM workforce thinner is another sideways step
Farmers have welcomed with caution the Government’s announcement that it will allow metropolitan-based food businesses to access workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme. National Farmers’ Federation President Fiona Simson said while resolving shortages along the supply chain was important, the Government now needed to dial up efforts to deepen the pool of […]
Submission to ‘A Migration System for Australia’s Future’ Review
While migrant workers are not the principal source of labour for the farming sector — and should not be seen as the panacea to its workforce challenges — effective labour migration programs are critical to the sector. At present farms rely heavily on three types of migrant worker: working/work and holiday makers (backpackers), Pacific Labour […]
PALM scheme leaves smaller growers behind
The National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF) Horticulture Council is calling on the Federal Government to ensure its much-heralded solution to the growing workforce crisis works for the whole of the sector. Following COVID-19 disruptions, there was a swift shift towards a greater reliance on the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, but with that came headaches […]
Concerns remain despite IR Bill concessions
The National Farmers’ Federation has acknowledged the concessions granted which will see the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill pass the Parliament this week, but warns that the consequences for the food supply chain remain largely unknown. NFF President Fiona Simson said it was disappointing to see a government so disinterested in the genuinely held concerns of employers. […]
Jobs Summit yields incremental gains, but a plan to fill 172,000 ag vacancies remains elusive
The National Farmers’ Federation has called on Government to prioritise action on agriculture’s workforce issues as the Jobs and Skills Summit draws to a close. NFF President Fiona Simson, who attended the Summit, labelled the event a useful exercise in bringing people together and building momentum for reform. “As farmers, we’ve been at the frontline […]
NFF calls on the Jobs Summit to address farmers’ Achilles heel
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) says the Jobs and Skills Summit is an opportunity to address one of the root issues stunting Australia’s farm sector: chronic labour shortages. The NFF has released its priorities ahead of the Summit, identifying four core barriers to securing skilled and unskilled labour, and offering up practical and achievable solutions. […]