IB2019/12 Limiting Possible Exploitation in Transportation Services for Seasonal Worker Programs

This In Brief highlights the problem of overcharging for transportation of seasonal workers to and from their worksites in Australia's Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) and New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme (RSE). Unlike accommodation providers and their services to seasonal workers discussed in a previous In Brief, transportation services and costs are rarely addressed. Yet, like other 'wrap around' services such as accommodation, the costs for transport and the services provided vary. Workers trust providers to charge fair rates for their services, however research has shown that excessive costs for transport have been imposed on workers, and transport providers have been criticised for disproportionate charges.