Understanding the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement (HILA) and the Role of Skills Assessment

Australia’s horticulture industry plays a vital role in feeding the nation and supporting regional communities. From fruit and vegetable production to packing and distribution, the sector depends on a skilled and reliable workforce. However, many growers continue to face persistent labour shortages—particularly in regional areas.

The Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement (HILA) was introduced to help address this challenge. It provides a structured pathway for employers to access overseas workers where local labour is not available, while also creating opportunities for experienced horticulture workers to have their skills recognised.

A key part of this process is the skills assessment conducted by VETASSESS, which helps demonstrate that workers meet the requirements agreed under the labour agreement.

What is the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement?

HILA is a formal arrangement between the Australian Government and approved horticulture employers. It allows businesses to sponsor overseas workers for roles that are difficult to fill through standard migration pathways.

The agreement reflects the realities of the industry:

• Many roles rely on hands-on experience rather than formal qualifications
• Workforce shortages are often regional and ongoing
• Employers need workers who are job-ready and practical

To support this, HILA includes defined requirements around skills, experience, and suitability, with skills assessment playing an important role.

Industry Perspective: Why HILA Matters

AUSVEG, as the industry custodian, recognises the importance of the agreement:

“As the industry custodian of the HILA, AUSVEG recognises the important role the agreement plays in helping Australia’s horticulture industries address ongoing workforce and skills shortages. HILA provides growers with access to skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers across a range of horticulture occupations where appropriately qualified Australians are unavailable, while also offering concessions better tailored to the operational realities of the sector. Workforce shortages remain one of the biggest challenges facing the horticulture industry, and pathways like HILA are an important part of helping growers access the skilled workers they need to keep producing fresh Australian vegetables,” Lucy Gregg, AUSVEG General Manager, Public Affairs and Communications.

The agreement supports a diverse range of roles across the horticulture supply chain, reflecting the breadth of skills required by the industry across different crop types, production systems and regional growing areas.

This highlights that HILA is not just about filling vacancies, it is about ensuring the right skills are available across a complex and evolving sector.

This article is written by Luke Trevisan, VETASSESS Industry Lead – Science, Health & Agriculture