New seasonal labour accommodation study

Hort Innovation is seeking a delivery partner for the project: Seasonal horticulture labour accommodation study (MT21007), assisting Hort Innovation to:  

• Quantify the demand for accommodating the seasonal horticulture labour force across key production regions against the relative supply of suitable accommodation options 
• Quantify suitable accommodation supply relating to stock, availability (including influences from competing uses e.g. tourism), access, price and quality 

• Identify gaps in accommodation supply relative to the demand requirements on a monthly and/or seasonal basis. 

The closing date for responses is 3.00 pm (AEST), 07 April 2022.

Access the Request For Proposal here: www.tenders.net

Why is accommodation important?

Changes to seasonal labour over the past few years has meant that accommodation supply can make an employer more attractive to the available labour pool. 

While backpackers have been more likely to make their own accommodation arrangements, Australian residents are less likely to do so, even with available government support for harvest worker relocation via AgMove. Accommodation for workers accessed via the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has additional considerations, guidelines and approval processes. 

Providing accommodation could make you an employer of choice

For growers like Joe Caltabiano (Orange, NSW), being able to provide accommodation to harvest workers is key to attracting and retaining labour – especially due to the scarcity of local accommodation options. 

Read Joe’s story here. 

Seasonal horticulture labour accommodation study (MT21007) is funded by Hort Innovation using multi-industry strategic levies and contributions from the Australian Government.