Employing overseas workers on Australian dairy farms

As Australian dairy farms have expanded and herd sizes grown, the demand for skilled labour has increased —but finding local workers can be challenging. In this episode, we explore how employing overseas staff through various visa options and the Dairy Industry Labour Agreement can help fill the gap.

Migration agent Fadi Malek, who is Director of Global Skilled Employment Services and NSW dairy farmer Andrew Farr join us to unpack the process of registering, recruiting, and employing international workers. While not a one-size-fits-all solution, overseas labour—when managed well—can be a rewarding option for both employers and employees.

Join us in our milestone 50th podcast, to learn about the opportunities, challenges, and practical steps involved in bringing skilled workers to your farm.

Topics include:

• Types of visas – what might suit your situation
• Worker rights and pay rates
• Dairy Industry Labour Agreement (DILA)
• Registering as a potential overseas labour employer
• Effective working relationships and cultural considerations
• Assistance with recruitment and immigration processes

Learn more:

The People in Dairy – Hiring people from overseas.

Dairy Australia fact sheets:

Dairy Industry Labour Agreement (DILA) – What you need to know. 

DILA - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Global Skilled Employment Services. 

This podcast is an initiative of the NSW DPI Dairy Business Advisory Unit – further information and resources are available here - Dairy | Department of Primary Industries

It is brought to you in partnership the Hunter Local Land Services

Please share this podcast with your fellow farmers and colleagues and feel free to contact us with suggestions or comments via this email address [e-mail]

Further NSW DPI Dairy channels to follow and subscribe to include;

NSW DPI Dairy Facebook page

NSW DPI Dairy Newsletter - Connect with us | Department of Primary Industries 

Transcript here

The information discussed in this podcast are for informative and educational purposes only and do not constitute advice.