SYDNEY, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- International seasonal farm workers are being forced to head west, as one of the worst droughts in Australian history takes hold on on the country's east coast.
Owner of Workin Oz Ley Webster, a Western Australian-based agriculture recruitment firm, told Xinhua on Wednesday that over recent months employment inquiries have skyrocketed.
"We are lucky enough to be experiencing a fantastic season," she said.
"There is not usually an oversupply of workers."
With conditions so bad in the States of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, Webster explained that in some cases east coast recruitment companies had sent their clients to her, as they were unable to provide workers with adequate job opportunities.
One Victoria-based harvest contractor Bruce Estens told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, "this year I'm sending them all to Western Australia because... there's no machines running."
"No one will be putting on any extra labour, they will be just hanging on to what they got."
But while the big dry is heavily impacting backpackers and international workers, local Australian farm employees are also beginning to pivot west.
"While we are predominantly focused on backpackers and international workers, we do employ Australians within our network," Webster said.
"So if there is anyone out there in need of work or looking at Western Australia, I would welcome them."
