Safe and secure accommodation solutions for seasonal workers in regional industries

Seasonal workers’ accommodation is a contentious issue for seasonal workers, employers and local government. Changes in regional housing markets have greatly increased the cost and reduced the availability of accommodation, and in many coastal locations seasonal workers are competing for housing with long-term residents and tourists. This research project analyses barriers to safely accommodating seasonal workers in regional Australia.

The research will address the following questions:

1. What are the contemporary practices used to provide accommodation to agricultural and tourism seasonal workers in regional Australia? What are unintended and unwanted consequences of these practices?
2. What are the accommodation experiences of seasonal workers and how do they shape their labour market choices?
3. What are the barriers to innovative practices to providing healthy and safe seasonal accommodation for agriculture and tourism workers in regional Australia and comparable international locations?
4. What policy changes are needed to support innovative practice solutions to address seasonal worker accommodation pressures in regional Australia?

This project will generate a set of policy responses for use in regional locations that address labour shortages and contribute to safe and secure working conditions for seasonal workers.

Lead Researcher: Associate Professor Tod Jones, Curtin University

Project Number:  81348