The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) have announced the cessation of Harvest Trail Services (HTS) and Harvest Trail Information Services (THIS) from 30 June 2024.

I extend on behalf of BEST our heartfelt appreciation to the exceptional BEST HTS team for their remarkable work. Their dedication and expertise have truly made a difference. I also express our gratitude to the hardworking HTS workers and farmers in the local communities for their valuable collaboration with BEST over the years. Your efforts have been instrumental in achieving our shared goals, and we are sincerely thankful for your support over the years.

The following bullet points were within the communications that BEST received from DEWR which may be of help to our stakeholders:

Overarching messages:

• Employers and people looking for work can continue to use Workforce Australia Online to advertise and find job opportunities. ​​Workforce Australia Online includes information, tools, job boards and other resources to help employers fill vacancies and individuals get a job.
• Workforce Australia providers have physical offices across the country and already have relationships with employers in the agricultural sector to assist them to find workers, and this will continue.
• The Harvest Trail Services webpage and content on the Workforce Australia for Individuals website and mobile app will be removed/decommissioned.

For employers:

• There are other programs that support employers in the horticulture industry.
• If you are an Australian business needing additional workers, you may be able to source them through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. PALM scheme employers can recruit PALM workers nationally to work in the agriculture sector when there are not enough local workers available.
• Employers can receive support Workforce Australia’s network of employment services providers, online service and resources.
• The Local Jobs Program’s Employment Facilitators are on the ground in 51 employment regions. Employment Facilitators bring together business and community organisations to connect people to training, jobs and support services and provide support to industries to meet local workforce needs.
• The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is designed to help and promote harmonious, productive, cooperative and compliant workplace relations in Australia. The FWO has a dedicated Horticulture Showcase which is a virtual hub of workplace information and resources for the horticultural industry.
• Most state and territory government websites provide direct links for employers and people looking for harvest work opportunities, general information and advice for seasonal workers.
• There are numerous private job boards for employers to advertise their horticultural positions for eligible workers such as SEEK.
• Labour hire companies can also assist employers and workers to deliver labour hire recruitment services in the horticultural sector.

For workers/Participants:

• The government wants to make sure that workers in the horticulture industry are supported in finding jobs.
• People looking for work can continue to use Workforce Australia Online to find job opportunities.
• Agricultural Fee-free TAFE places are now available for students keen to commence a career in agriculture, as well as for existing workers looking to upskill. 
• The Fair Work Ombudsman also has a virtual hub of workplace information and resources for the horticulture industry with advice on workplace rights such as how much you get paid and your working conditions.
• Most state and territory government websites provide direct links for employers and people looking for harvest work opportunities, general information and advice for seasonal workers.
• There are numerous private job boards for employers to advertise their horticultural positions for eligible workers such as SEEK.

Anna Watt

Chief Executive Officer