TBA offers to raise breeding farms’ visa delays

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has asked farms to report staff visa delays affecting their businesses, offering to raise cases with the Department of Home Affairs where appropriate.

TBA said in an email to the industry that it was engaging with the Australian Government over proposed changes to the Working Holiday Maker visa program and their potential impact on breeding operations.

Farms have already shared their experiences with the organisation.

“Any further examples or insights will help ensure we can provide Government with an accurate picture of the pressures facing employers across the industry,” TBA said.

The government announced the ballot proposal on September 17, with planned limits of 45,000 second-year places and 5000 third-year places for applicants required to complete regional work.

The existing requirements of 88 days of regional work for a second-year visa and six months for a third-year visa would remain. Completing that work would qualify applicants to enter the ballot.

TBA said the ballot changes had not yet commenced. It also relayed advice from migration specialists that workers already eligible for a second- or third-year visa should consider applying as soon as possible, before the proposed system comes into effect.

The Department of Home Affairs expects processing to average about three months for most Working Holiday Maker applications, citing high demand and record numbers of visa holders.