The NSW government will extend a $1500 subsidy to halve the quarantine costs of overseas agricultural workers into the next financial year.
Workers entering the country under the Pacific Labour Scheme or Seasonal Worker Program are eligible for a 50 per cent subsidy of the $3000 cost of quarantine, Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall announced on Thursday.
The state's primary producers rely on seasonal and foreign workers, especially in the horticulture and meat processing industries.
"An ongoing workforce will assist the horticulture sector which requires around 5,000 workers a month and the meat processing sector which will need around 10,000 workers across NSW over the next 12 months," he said.
To date, the subsidy has helped more than 1000 skilled workers and there had been an increase in applications, Mr Marshall said.
All seasonal workers approved to quarantine in NSW are eligible for the subsidy, provided the majority of their work is undertaken in the state.
All international arrivals are still required to enter mandatory hotel quarantine.
