MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 10 September 2026
Cherry Growers Australia (CGA) is joining calls from a broad coalition of Australian industry organisations for greater clarity and consultation regarding administrative changes and proposed reforms to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program. CGA also supports the concerns being raised today through collective industry advocacy in Parliament House.
For many Australians, cherries are synonymous with summer and Christmas celebrations. Ensuring there is a reliable workforce available to harvest the crop is critical not only for growers, but also for consumers who expect to see premium Australian cherries on supermarket shelves during the festive season.
CGA Chief Executive Officer Penny Measham said workforce certainty is essential for an industry that operates within one of the most compressed harvest windows in Australian agriculture.
“The Australian cherry industry relies on access to seasonal labour that can be mobilised quickly during our short and intensive harvest period,” Dr Measham said.
“Unlike many industries, cherry growers have very little flexibility. In some growing regions, the entire harvest can be compressed into as little as four weeks. When fruit reaches maturity, it must be harvested immediately. There is no opportunity to pause, wait for workers to arrive, or extend harvest timelines.”
The Australian cherry industry produced 19,741 tonnes of fruit in 2024-25, generating approximately $301 million in farmgate value and more than $91 million in export earnings. The industry supports employment across orchards, packing facilities, logistics businesses and regional communities throughout Australia.
Cherry grower Stephen Riseborough said uncertainty around seasonal labour availability can have significant consequences for growers and regional communities.
“Growers make substantial investments throughout the year with one opportunity to harvest and market their crop.”
“Any uncertainty or disruption to seasonal labour availability can impact an entire harvest season. If fruit is not harvested at the right time, those opportunities and investments can be lost.”
Mr Riseborough said the issue extends beyond the farm gate.
“This is not only an issue for growers. It is an issue for regional communities, exporters, retailers and the many Australian families who look forward to enjoying Australian cherries each summer.”
“The reality is that if fruit cannot be harvested on time, consumers may see reduced availability of Australian cherries on supermarket shelves and in fresh produce stores during the festive season.”
CGA is one of 24 peak industry organisations that recently signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seeking clarity on the Government’s intentions regarding potential WHM reforms and calling for meaningful consultation before any significant changes are implemented. The signatories span agriculture, horticulture, tourism, hospitality, accommodation, retail, childcare and small business sectors.
“The breadth of support behind this advocacy reflects the unique role the Working Holiday Maker program plays across the Australian economy,” Dr Measham said.
“Working Holiday Makers contribute as both visitors and workers. They support regional economies through tourism spending while also providing essential labour to industries facing persistent workforce shortages.”
CGA emphasised that both the WHM program and the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme are essential components of Australia’s horticultural workforce framework.
“We strongly support both programs and reject the notion that they should be viewed as substitutes for one another,” Dr Measham said.
“PALM workers provide an experienced and reliable core workforce for many cherry businesses. The WHM program provides the flexibility and mobility needed to meet short-term harvest surges, particularly in industries such as cherries where labour demand can increase dramatically over a matter of weeks.”
CGA supports the Government’s commitment to worker welfare, program integrity and addressing worker exploitation. The organisation believes these objectives are best achieved through stronger compliance measures, effective enforcement activities and nationally consistent labour hire regulation, rather than reducing access to legitimate workforce programs that underpin Australian food production.
The industry also supports the policy principles outlined in the joint industry letter, including safeguarding specified work provisions, maintaining the demand-driven nature of the program, recognising the complementary roles of the WHM and PALM schemes, and ensuring any reforms are developed through evidence-based analysis and genuine consultation.”Growers are making decisions now about workforce planning, investment and harvest preparation,” Dr Measham said.
“What industry is seeking is clarity. We are asking Government to provide certainty not only for growers and regional businesses, but for all Australians who value access to premium Australian-grown produce.”
“The cherry industry is seeking a practical and evidence-based pathway forward. Clear communication, genuine consultation and consideration of the real-world impacts on growers will help ensure Australians can continue to enjoy premium Australian cherries during summer while supporting the regional communities that produce them.”
Media contact:
Gita Ricca, Communications Officer
About Cherry Growers Australia
Cherry Growers Australia is the national peak industry body representing Australian cherry growers. The Australian cherry industry produced 19,741 tonnes of cherries in 2024-25, generating approximately $301 million in farmgate value and supporting regional economies across New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
