Solution for NSW/Vic border farm workers

NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall on Tuesday announced exemptions for farm wrorkers to cross the border to work on NSW farms, even if they don't live in the border bubble.

Until now the border closure had meant some Victorian workers would have technically been required to fly to Sydney to quarantine, before having to drive to country NSW to get to their job.

Mr Marshall said the changes were a "sensible solution" to the issues caused by the border closure and ensured the NSW agriculture sector had the workforce it needed.

"While this will be very welcome news, it does not solve all the problems and in my view, is just the first step towards allowing the critical agriculture sector on both sides of border to operate freely, as it needs to," he said.

Earlier Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews had flagged that a solution had been reached with the NSW government.

"I think that whilst it won't necessarily be a perfect outcome it will be a significant step forward for those in our primary production sector and our ag sector to be able to move more freely while at the same time protecting public health.

"We know how important that is to keeping food on our supermarket shelves," he said.

Mr Marshall said workers will now be able to access a new Highly Specialised Critical Services (Agriculture) Permit if they:

* Provide a highly specialised critical agricultural service

* Are moving and working anywhere within 100 kilometres of the NSW/Victorian border on the NSW side

* Comply with strict conditions if staying overnight and

* Adhere to other safety requirements, including self-isolating when not delivering the critical service.

Exemptions for individuals needing to move beyond the 100km limit for work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The changes came into effect at midday on Tuesday and the new permits are available on the Service NSW website.

Australian Associated Press