Farmers fear worker shortage due to COVID-19 restrictions despite rising unemployment

The Federal Government says short-term farm work is impractical for unemployed Australians, so it is seeking international solutions amid COVID-19 travel restrictions. Key points: Farmers warned of severe labour shortages in coming months due to COVID-19 restrictions Agriculture Minister says unemployed Australians aren't a practical replacement for foreign workers Australia's unemployment is set to reach 10 per cent The farm lobby group National Farmers Federation has warned that farmers will run out of workers this year. "Even when our social security payment for the dole was $550 a fortnight, we couldn't get people off the couch to go and pick fruit," Mr Littleproud said. "There are lots of people in New South Wales that need jobs so I don't feel there is a labour shortage in NSW at all, if people want to come in and want to do that seasonal work, they've got to be subjected to that 14-day isolation period," Premier Gladys Berejiklian said last week. "I really do want to see Australians that are on unemployed benefits go and work — I just understand more than anyone, living in regional Queensland, that doesn't happen," Mr Littleproud said.