Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement (HILA): Supporting Australia’s Growing Horticulture Sector
What Is HILA?
Introduced on 1 January 2020, the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement (HILA) is an industry-specific labour agreement designed to help Australian horticulture employers access both skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers when local labour is unavailable.
Developed by the Australian Government in consultation with AUSVEG, HILA offers pre-set, non-negotiable terms that streamline the sponsorship process for a range of roles critical to the horticulture industry.
Occupations Covered
HILA includes 31 approved occupations, spanning from technical to management roles. Some examples include:
- Irrigation Designer / Manager (ANZSCO 234111)
- Agronomist (234112)
- Horticulture Farm Manager (070499)
- Agriculture Technician (321212)
- Forklift Driver (721311)
- Cold Storage Manager (149999)
and many more across various skill levels
Visa Pathways & Concessions
HILA supports several visa streams with varying terms.
HILA offers several key concessions, including:
- Up to 10% salary discount on the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) or Core/Temporary Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) if Australian equivalents aren’t earning that much.
- Flexible counting of earnings, allowing for guaranteed non-monetary benefits like accommodation to be included.
- Relaxed English language requirements:
- 482 visa: IELTS ≥ 5.0 overall, ≥ 4.0 each band
- SESR & ENS visas: IELTS ≥ 5.0 overall, ≥ 4.5 each band.
- Age cap raised to 50 years for SESR and ENS visas.
Why HILA Matters
HILA addresses two critical challenges in Australia’s horticulture sector:
- Persistent labour shortages, especially in regional areas where it’s difficult to attract qualified local workers.
- Accessible pathways to skilled migration, allowing employers to fill vital roles swiftly while offering overseas workers routes toward permanent residency.
AUSVEG continues to be the key industry voice, collaborating with Home Affairs to keep the scheme relevant and effective .
How Employers Can Access HILA
- Determine Eligibility: Confirm your business and role align with HILA’s occupation list and requirements.
- Apply for the HILA: Submit a request via ImmiAccount using the Labour Agreement request form.
- Once approved, you can sponsor eligible overseas workers under the 482, 494, or 186 visa streams with the associated concessions and pathways.
- Support from AUSVEG: They provide guidance, a letter of support, and industry context to strengthen applications.
- Skills Assessment: Certain roles may require a skills assessment (e.g. via VETASSESS) or meet standard visa requirements.
Conclusion
The Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement empowers growers by bridging labour gaps and enhancing business sustainability. With structured visa pathways, salary and language flexibilities, and partnership with industry bodies like AUSVEG, HILA strengthens Australia’s horticulture workforce now and into the future.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re a grower or employer looking to secure skilled labour through the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement, don’t wait. Reach out today for expert guidance on eligibility, application support, and navigating visa pathways. Doing so can help you focus on growing your business while we handle the process.
