Visas extended for Fijians working under the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme in Aus and NZ

Minister for Employment, Parveen Bala confirms all Fijians working under the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme in Australia and New Zealand are working and no one is infected by COVID-19.

Bala says they welcome the decision by the Australian Government for visa to be extended by another 12 months for those Fijians working under the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme.

Under new visa measures announced by the Australian Government today, Pacific workers who are in Australia under the Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Programme, whose visas are due to expire will be able to remain in Australia for up to 12 months.

This will enable them to support themselves and continue to make a critical contribution to Australia’s agriculture sector and food security.

The Australian Government says it is working with employers to ensure Pacific workers are supported through the COVID-19 crisis, particularly those workers who are currently unable to return home.

Bala says the New Zealand Government has also extended the visa until September this year for those Fijians working under the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme in New Zealand

There are 341 Fijians working in Australia and 381 in New Zealand under these two schemes.