Australia's seasonal workers visa programme is being extended to more areas of agricultural employment.
The government yesterday announced the expansion of the programme from mainly horticulture sector work to the broader agricultural sector, including work with sheep, cattle and grain enterprises.
Announcing the expansion, the minister for agriculture Barnaby Joyce said Pacific Islanders would now have more opportunities to go to Australian to earn a decent wage.
Since mid-2012, over 8600 visas have been issued to people to work in Australia's Seasonal Worker Programme.
Pacific Island workers can apply to work for either six or nine month-stints, and are subject to a 15 percent tax rate.
Fiji Village reports that 30 Fijian workers left to work in the programme last month.