Visa changes could 'hurt farmers'

The National Farmers Federation says the expansion of the working holiday visa scheme to include the construction industry could rob farmers of the backpackers it relies on for the fruit-picking season.

Since 2006, tourists on one-year working holiday visas have been able to extend their stay for a further 12 months if they worked for a primary producer in a regional area for at least three months.

The scheme resulted in thousands of backpackers venturing to inland areas during the traditional picking season between September and April.

It also applied to jobs in forestry, fishing and mining.

National Farmers Federation (NFF) general manager of workplace relations Denita Wawn said the scheme helped, in part, ease the acute shortage of seasonal workers required for harvesting fruits and vegetables.

The scheme has now been extended to allow those who work in the construction industry in a regional area for three months to access a second working holiday visa.

"We are concerned about the ramifications to agriculture in this concession being extended to construction," Ms Wawn said.