ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that horticultural knowledge and skills transfer ought to be more formally integrated into the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP), especially in situations where the seasonal workers are involved in similar activities in countries of origin and destination. Initial evidence from the multiple submissions and public hearings associated with the Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into the SWP, conducted by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration, points towards positive changes in the workers’ lives. Many seasonal workers have extensive farming experience developed in their countries of origin. The Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme commenced in 2008 and led to the establishment of the Australian SWP in July 2012. Knowing that SWP migrants will generally return to their home countries may also go some way to allaying concerns expressed by some Pacific Island governments that trained residents will migrate to high-income countries. The SWP is managed by the Australian federal government, with the Department of Employment as lead administrating department.
