COVID-19 response

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) continues to work closely with industry, government and regional stakeholders to provide support and information during the COVID-19 response.

WA Government news

Stay up-to-date with the latest information on the WA Government website.

Note. this page may change as new information becomes available on COVID-19.

Protecting our industry, community and staff

The department is liaising with and gathering intelligence from key stakeholders involved in WA’s primary production and food supply chain, including Regional Development Commissions, State Government agencies, peak industry bodies and the food processing sector to:

  • prepare WA businesses
  • support business continuity measures
  • reduce potential impacts of COVID-19
  • plan for a return to business as usual once the crisis has passed.

In order to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, DPIRD is adopting State and Federal health recommendations with respect to social distancing and good hygiene. We are also putting plans in place to ensure our business continuity.

WA border and travel restrictions

WA border restrictions

Under the State of Emergency declaration, a Direction was enforced from 1.30pm on 24 March 2020 to restrict Western Australian borders to limit the spread of COVID-19. This Direction applies to all travellers via road, sea, air and rail.

All non-essential interstate travel should be avoided.

Unless exempted, arrivals from interstate are ordered to self-isolate for 14 days.

Exemptions for primary production

The Direction includes exemptions for essential services and workers, which apply to:

  • freight and logistics services into and out of Western Australia

  • people with specialist skills critical to maintaining key industries and businesses, including those employed or engaged in agricultural or primary industries who are required to be physically present in WA.

This provision ensures agricultural production and food supplies, such as fresh produce, meat, processed products and livestock, can continue to be transported.

Police Officers and Responsible Officers will provide instructions to essential service providers about the principles they will need to follow.

Travellers are urged to be patient and follow the instructions of checkpoint officers.

More information is available from the WA Government website.

Intrastate travel restrictions

Further restrictions on travel within the State will apply from midnight Tuesday 31 March (12am Wednesday morning) to assist in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
These restrictions will be placed on travel within the entire State of Western Australia.

Western Australians will not be permitted to leave their regional boundary. Police have the power to enforce these restrictions if necessary, and fines of up to $50,000 can be issued. The regional boundaries mirror those of the regional development commissions. Due to their close proximity, the Perth and Peel regions will combine into one region. Refer to this map for boundaries.

An interactive mapping service allowing you to view the Regional Development Commission boundaries is now available. Enter your address in the search box or use your mouse to click on your location on the map. A pop-up information box will appear. Use the right arrow icon to scroll right to view the Regional Development Commission area you are in.

More detail on how the restrictions will operate, will be made available on the WA Government website, before the restrictions come into force.

Agricultural labour supply

DPIRD is committed to supporting the agriculture, food and fisheries sectors to track and address labour issues across the State.

The department is working closely with FoodAllianceWA on an initiative to support jobs and fill labour shortage issues across WA’s agrifood sector.

A new website has been set up to connect workers with regional employers, labour hire companies and recruitment businesses seeking casual, skilled and unskilled workers.

The department has also provided WA agrifood businesses with 12 months free access to an online portal providing employers with access to more than 7500 skilled tertiary students and workers under the age of 30.

All travel within Western Australia must comply with the latest advice from the Western Australian Government. Find out more.

For more information, visit jobsinwafoodandag.com or Facebook ‘WA Jobs in Food & Ag’. 

Support information

We will continue to provide stakeholders with relevant information in what is a fast-changing environment. Businesses should also contact their industry representative bodies if they have specific questions related to their operations.

For the latest information to assist WA businesses, please visit the links below:

Business preparedness and support

(includes employer obligations, protecting and communicating with employees, support and advisory services, business continuity, managing travel, State Government support packages)

Health and wellbeing