ACIAR commissioned a study in 2021 to identify the barriers to and enablers of agricultural knowledge and skills exchange between Pacific island and Australian farmers who participate in seasonal worker programs. The findings of this report, which focus on opportunities for agricultural knowledge exchange through temporary international labour mobility, are relevant to previous and new Australian Government labour mobility schemes.
Australia’s economic relationship with Pacific island countries will become increasingly important as we all face the headwinds of unprecedented social, economic and environmental change. Labour mobility programs enable workers to acquire significant earnings, but also address critical labour shortages on Australian farms. Such programs enable the invaluable exchange of knowledge and skills that could play a catalytic role in rural development, food security and livelihoods in Pacific island countries.
