Immigration officials have been urged to process harvest worker visas immediately to ensure farmers can staff their operations when they begin taking their crops off from next week.

The federal government on Thursday lifted its pause on skilled worker visa processing from overseas which it implemented a few weeks ago amid scrutiny over migration policy and its impact on housing availability.

In doing so, new migration policy was unveiled which would prioritise processing of skilled migrant visas for agriculture, construction, resources, fishing, defence and healthcare.

Backpacker, international student and visitor visas rules will be tightened.

The pause on skilled migrant intake has caused anxiety in regional WA ahead of the 2026-27 grain harvest, which is due to start in the Mid West as early as next week.

One group of farmers in Esperance told ABC Perth early in the week they had about 50 migrant workers held up overseas because of processing delays.

Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia president Digby Stretch said the federal government must process harvest worker visas immediately to undo the damage they had done.

“I would like to see the federal government look very carefully at the lobbying and the facts that have been put in front of them over the last weeks and months while this has been going on and have enough hubris to realise that they have severely disenfranchised a really important part of Australia,” he said.

“Make amends by fast-tracking what they paused and make sure that they don’t end up short-changing us for the vital staff that we have got that we can’t get anywhere else.

“It is not as though the crop is going to wait for farmers to get their staff before it’s ready to harvest.”

Under changes announced by Immigration Minister Tony Burke, backpackers will now __

Operators of station stays on WA pastoral leases launched a petition last week calling on the federal government to return migration policy to the status quo.

Some of WA’s larger station stays employ more than 20 backpackers at a time during peak season.

There remains concern that, while working on a pastoral property, the fact that staff would be employed in the tourism sector meant they would not be prioritised.

Wooramel River Retreat, Warroora, Murchison House and Cheela Plains Station are among WA operators which have put their names to the Australian Tourism Industry Council petition.

“Cuts to Working Holiday Maker and Tourist visas could hit Wooramel and other station stays across WA hard,” Wooramel posted to social media.

“Long-stay visitors travel further, stay longer, and help fill the seasonal roles that keep us welcoming guests and delivering the outback experiences you love.”

Mr Stretch said access to migrant and backpacker labour was a hot topic across regional WA.

“The government is seriously out of touch with the staffing requirements that we have in regional Australia as to how they’re dealing with this crisis,” he said.

“For any of you that are traveling around, have a look at who’s serving your coffee and who’s manning the roadhouses and who’s in the service industry out there in the bush. 

“There will be an accent behind nearly everybody you’re talking to.

“It is unfortunate that the government have made this knee-jerk reaction as far as what we’re needing for regional workforce.”

Mr Stretch said a shortage of harvest workers could lead to safety issues for farmers and quality issues for crops.

Wooramel River Retreat and Cheela Plains were contacted for comment.

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The company said the new location reflected its ‘ongoing approach to growth’

Specialist business advisory firm FRP has opened an office in Exeter. The company has appointed Luke Venner to head up the new base as it continues to expand its national footprint.

Mr Venner joins FRP after more than 20 years at South West-based accountancy and advisory firm Bishop Fleming, where he began his career as a trainee accountant before progressing to partner in 2023.

In his new role, Mr Venner will lead the establishment of FRP’s Exeter office and develop its restructuring advisory practice across Devon and the wider South West region.

He will work closely with staff across FRP’s UK network of offices, giving businesses in the region access to the firm’s wider corporate finance, debt advisory, forensic services, real estate advisory and financial advisory expertise, the company said.

“Exeter has a vibrant and varied business community, and I have spent my career working with companies and advisers across the city and the wider South West,” said Mr Venner.

“Opening an office here gives FRP the opportunity to build on those relationships while bringing the depth of expertise available across the firm closer to local clients.

“Businesses across all sectors continue to manage pressure on costs and funding, and clear advice at the right time can help management teams choose a course of action and move early enough to protect value. I look forward to working with colleagues across FRP to support Exeter’s businesses when the decisions they face matter most.”

FRP already has existing operations across the South of England, including in Bristol, Southampton, Bournemouth and Brighton. The firm employs more than 950 employees in the UK, including 108 partners.

Geoff Rowley, chief executive at FRP, added: “Luke’s appointment is an important step in FRP’s continued growth and gives us a strong foundation from which to build in Exeter. He has the experience and leadership to develop our presence in the city and connect it effectively with our wider network.

“The new office reflects our ongoing approach to growth of investing in markets where we see a clear opportunity and have the right people to build for the long term. Exeter fits that approach well, and its addition will further strengthen our national proposition.”