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This paper examines the issues and the arguments for and against a seasonal Pacific guest-worker program for Australia, and looks at lessons that can be learned from overseas experience. A pilot scheme was considered and rejected by the government in the context of the 2004-05 migration program. Despite this, proponents have continued to ask for the introduction of a seasonal guest-worker program of low-skilled workers from the Pacific region. The argument in favour of such a program claims that it would help Pacific countries in need of development assistance and with surplus workers, and assist Australian horticulturalists to offset labour shortages at harvest time. However, opponents argue that such a program would be a departure from Australia’s migration tradition, and could generate problems such as ‘visa overstay’ and exploitation of the workers.