To participate as an approved employer, all applicants must successfully complete a 4-step application process:
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Complete this application form and click 'submit'.
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If the application is successful, apply to become a temporary activities sponsor (TAS) through the Department of Home Affairs. Businesses must be approved as a TAS to be able to sponsor workers from participating countries to come to Australia.
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Enter into a Deed of Agreement/s.
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Employ workers under the SWP or PLS, in accordance with obligations imposed under the Deed/s of Agreement, applicable program guidelines and the temporary activities sponsorship.
Seasonal Worker Programme
Once approved, applicants enter into a Deed of Agreement with the Australian Government through the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and enter a sponsorship arrangement with the Department of Home Affairs.
New SWP approved employers are generally approved to recruit only a small number of seasonal workers for their first placement (known as a ‘recruitment cap’). This provides new SWP approved employers the opportunity to adjust to their obligations and responsibilities while working with a manageable number of seasonal workers in their first placement.
SWP approved employers must have DEWR’s written approval to participate in the program and recruit workers prior to seasonal workers commencing a placement. The employer can seek a review of their recruitment cap when workers have been recruited for 4 months and changes will be made where appropriate.
DEWR and the PLF will monitor SWP approved employers during each placement to ensure compliance with program requirements.
Pacific Labour Scheme
Once approved, applicants enter into a Deed of Agreement with the Australian Government through DEWR and enter into a sponsorship arrangement with the Department of Home Affairs.
New PLS approved employers are generally approved to recruit only a small number of workers for their first placement (known as a 'recruitment cap').
This provides new PLS approved employers the opportunity to adjust to their obligations and responsibilities while working with a manageable number of workers in their first placement. The employer can seek a review of their recruitment cap when workers have been recruited for 4 months and changes will be made where appropriate.
DEWR and the PLF will monitor PLS employers during each placement to ensure compliance with program requirements.
Processing times
Currently the process is taking at least 3 months (once all documentation hsa been provided), plus the time required to obtain your TAS from the Department of Home Affairs.
To ensure the timely processing of an application, entities are encouraged to provide all requested information and to respond to questions fully and truthfully at the time of submission.
Number of applications in any 12-month period
An applicant may only apply for approved employer status in the SWP or the PLS twice in any 12-month period from the date of submitting their first application.
If an applicant does not achieve approved employer status within 12 months of the date of applying, its application will lapse. The applicant will then need to submit a new application if it remains interested in becoming an approved employer for the SWP or PLS.