The state government has agreed to pick up the tab for most of the cost of quarantining up to 1500 Pacific Islander workers, to help with Victoria's fruit and vegetable harvest.
Under its partnership with the Tasmanian government, the government will kick in $7.8 million, with industry contributing $2,000 per worker towards quarantine costs.
"We worked with industry to come to these arrangements that will help cover some of the costs of harvest and ease the pressure on growers," Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary-Ann Thomas said.
"We're doing all we can to try encourage locals into these jobs too - from better connecting jobseekers with businesses, to supporting growers with accommodation needs.
"This is on top of more than $28 million of grants we've already rolled out to almost 300 businesses to help them with their workforce needs."
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Victoria's assistance is on a par with other states:
- New South Wales - $3,000 per worker
- South Australia - $1,500 to $2,500
- Western Australia - $2,500
- Northern Territory - $2,500
Ms Thomas said the coronavirus pandemic had exposed the industry's over-reliance on overseas workers.
"It's a problem that's not going away, any time soon," she said.
"We need a national approach to resolving this and I urge Minister Littleproud to finally let us begin that conversation - starting with an urgent AgMin meeting."
Victoria has agreed to quarantine 330 Tasmanians, returning from overseas, if 1500 Pacific Island workers complete quarantine in Tasmanian hotels.
Fruit and vegetable growers in Gippsland and the north-east have reported not being able to harvest crops, because of the worker shortage.
The quarantine cost is part of an additional $19.3 million package, which includes support for locals to take up jobs.
Jobseekers who take up seasonal work will now be eligible for bonuses of almost $2,500, with the government providing over $10 million to encourage them to give the work a go and boost local workforces.
The Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus will be provided in two payments, with $810 paid after two weeks of work and a further $1,620 paid after an additional six weeks of work.
To be eligible, workers need to complete at least 10 days' work within a one-month period to receive the first bonus and at least another 30 days within a three-month period for the additional payment.
To maximise take-up of the Sign-on Bonus, industry groups that support growers in priority harvest regions will receive funding for additional staff and resources through a new $1 million Seasonal Workforce Industry Support grant program.
"It's a big day's work, but the reward can be just as big - the Sign-on Bonus means jobseekers can take home almost $2,500 on top of their wage," Ms Thomas said.
"We've said from the start that while Pacific Islander workers will be important to the harvest's success, it's not a silver bullet."
This funding will bolster the capacity of these groups to provide dedicated seasonal workforce support to their members - making sure businesses are well equipped to attract the workers they need.
This extra support follows the comprehensive $57 million package already provided to support industry through the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the Victorian Government's support for agriculture businesses and communities to over $76 million.
For further details about how to apply for the sign-on bonus, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bigharvest.