Fruit Growers Victoria were successful in their application to the Seasonal Workforce Accommodation Program (SWAP) in 2021.

Details

There is a current lack of up to standard on farm accommodation across the Goulburn Valley to house workers who are relocating from outside of the region for the fruit picking season from January through to May.   This is meaning growers who have suitable accommodation are attracting more workers and other growers who don’t have suitable accommodation are missing out.  

Data from the 2020/2021 season’s Pick Shepp campaign run by FGV and GSCC showed that more than 50% of the people who registered an expression of interest with Pick Shepp required transport and accommodation assistance.  A lack of COVID Safe accommodation and public transport to farms were the biggest issues facing jobseekers who are willing to relocate for the fruit picking season.  

The SWAP project will provide a solution that forecasts and manages transportation & accommodation needs across the Goulburn Valley (GV) *the area will be Greater Shepparton, Kyabram and Cobram.  The GV is much bigger. and matches providers and growers to incoming jobseekers from outside and across the region who would otherwise be excluded from the seasonal workforce. 

This is an on the ground campaign to help keep productivity across the region up through providing a coordinated solution that will manage transport and accommodation across all stakeholders in the horticulture sector across the GV.