With other industries also facing labour shortages, competition for workers remains high.
One increasingly common solution has been hiring overseas workers seeking employment opportunities in Australia.
However, while this may seem like a straightforward fix, the reality is far more complex.
The process involves navigating various visa categories, legal regulations, skill requirements, language barriers, housing needs and training demands.
Unsurprisingly, many farm managers find the system difficult to manage.
To help address these challenges, the Gardiner Foundation and Dairy Australia have partnered to launch a project specifically supporting dairy farms employing workers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) backgrounds.
The initiative provides tailored assistance to help dairy farmers successfully integrate overseas workers into their operations.
Leading the project in the Murray region is Shane Byrne.
“The success of integrating culturally diverse workers into existing farm teams varies greatly across the farms I’ve visited,” Shane said.
He said the two most significant hurdles were recruiting the right candidate and managing the visa process.
“Even once you’ve found the right person, there are still issues such as skill gaps, language barriers, training needs and helping new arrivals settle into the community.”
Some farmers have shared frustrations about investing time and resources into the immigration process, only to find the new employee is not a good fit or leaves the job shortly after arriving.
This highlights the importance of a robust recruitment strategy and ensuring that workers feel supported, welcomed and included both in the workplace and the local community.
To assist with this, the program has produced a workbook and a handbook.
These resources guide farmers through each step of the employment process — from identifying knowledge gaps and improving recruitment strategies to onboarding and retention.
The handbook also includes cultural insights, visa and legal information, policy templates, and practical advice for keeping quality workers.
If you’re interested in participating in this initiative or would like a personalised visit to your farm to discuss hiring and supporting overseas workers, contact Shane Byrne at Dairy Australia Murray via shane.byrne@dairyaustralia.com.au or phone 0402 971 593.
– From Dairy Australia Murray.
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