Kiwis wanted: Australia asks New Zealand workers to fill 26,000 fruit picking jobs after incentive program for Aussies failed miserably
Kiwis are being encouraged to cross the ditch to pick Australian fruit and vegetables and work in the tourism industry.
A new campaign is targeting New Zealanders with slogans including 'enjoy the fruits of your labour' and 'pick your way to paradise'.
Trade and Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said there would ordinarily be about 135,000 working holiday makers in Australia at this time of year, but as a result of coronavirus that was down to about 52,000.
26,000 jobs need to be filled as fruit pickers in Australia's horticultural industry
The horticulture industry has warned it needs an extra 26,000 workers as soon as possible, or fruit and vegetables will be left to rot and the price of produce will soar.
Senator Birmingham is hoping thousands of Kiwis take up the invitation.
'Kiwis, where most states have got the borders open for quarantine-free travel, there is an obvious market where we hope that young people can choose to take a gap year, and take a punt on the fact they will be able to return back to New Zealand afterwards quarantine-free,' he told ABC radio on Thursday.
New slogan 'pick your way to paradise' encourage Kiwis to travel to Australia as fruit pickers
Senator Birmingham said recent revelations of worker exploitation did not help his campaign pitch, and urged Kiwis to speak up if they encounter unscrupulous farmers.
'If they encounter poor practice they should call it out, they should report it, and we will throw the book at people.'
The federal government is also promising to reimburse Australian workers thousands of dollars to relocate to regional areas to pick crops.
Each worker must keep their invoices and receipts linked to the employment - such as accommodation for the six weeks, petrol, food, and work clothes - to then later be reimbursed by the government.
Government has urged travelers to notify authorities if they encounter unscrupulous farmers
The claims must be made within 28 days of when the work commenced and the person needs to have worked at the job for at least six weeks or 120 hours.
Australian workers can claim a maximum of $6,000, while visa holders working in the country can claim up to $2,000.
But the program has proven to be a spectacular flop so far, with around 148 people aged 18 to 30 taking advantage of the scheme.
Senator Birmingham is encouraging young Australians to take their gap year by travelling around the country.
He did not endorse Agriculture Minister David Littleproud's suggestion that Australians were too lazy to get off the couch.
'I think the vast majority of Australians are very hard working but clearly we do need to encourage more to get out there and do some of these jobs,' Senator Birmingham said.
'There are jobs available in Australia right now. Yes people may need to relocate, and it's not easy or possible for everybody, but for some it is and that's why we've put incentives in place.'
More information on the government's Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job for short-term Agricultural work can be found on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website
Fruit pickers are needed urgently on Australian farms to avoid rotting produce and potential price hike