Current News
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Cherry Registrations for China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan & Korea close at 5pm on Friday 16th July 2021.
- Applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses to export cherries to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and Korea for the 2021–22 season.
- Applications must be received by 5pm AEST, Friday 16 July 2021.
- Farms and packhouses must complete the relevant application form/s through the following online systems
- For properties intending to export cherries from mainland Australia
- For properties intending to export cherries from Tasmania
Note: If your property was accredited in the 2020–21 season, you must still apply for the 2021–22 season.
Visit the Department of Ag, Water and the Environment website for more information.
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From 11:59 pm on Thursday, 8 July 2021, if you live in Victoria:
- There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home but staying COVIDSafe remains important.
- There are no limits on the distance you can travel.
- Face masks are mandatory indoors unless an exception applies, or you are:
- at home
- at work, if a member of the public isn’t present and you are in an area that members of the public can’t normally access (such as an office space or a factory)
- a staff member at a school, childcare or early childhood service, and a member of the public isn’t present (apart from at reception, where masks are always required)
- a student at school
- Face masks are recommended outdoors where you cannot maintain 1.5 metres from others.
- If you have any symptoms, no matter how mild, you should get tested for COVID-19.
- Check-in everywhere you visit using https://service.vic.gov.au/check-in">the Service Victoria QR code app, no matter how long you spend at that location.
Visit the Coronavirus website for further information regarding Victoria restrictions.
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The cherry production in many countries has been hampered by poor weather conditions, with Spain being battered by heavy rains and pollination being affected by winds in North America. Other countries, however, have seen record productions, with South Africa experiencing its largest production of cherries ever. In Australia, Tasmanian cherry exports have risen by 40% this season.
Read more of this Fresh Plaza article.
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From 11:59 pm on Thursday, 24 June 2021, if you live in metropolitan Melbourne:
- There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home but staying COVIDSafe remains important.
- There are no limits on the distance you can travel, and you can travel to regional Victoria.
- You can travel to Victoria’s Alpine Resorts. It is recommended that all visitors have a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departing Melbourne and receive a negative test (children under 12 years not included) before arriving in the Alpine region.
- You can have up to 15 people visit your home per day (cap includes dependants other than infants under 12 months).
- Patients at hospitals and care facilities can have two visitors at a time and up to five visitors per day. End of life patients can have two visitors at a time and there is no total limit per day.
- Face masks are mandatory indoors, except at your home or if a lawful exception applies.
- Face masks are recommended outdoors where you cannot maintain 1.5 metres from others.
- If you have any symptoms, no matter how mild, you should get tested for COVID-19.
- Check-in everywhere you visit using the Service Victoria QR code app, no matter how long you spend at that location.
Visit the Coronavirus website for more information on current Metro Melbourne restrictions.
From 11:59 pm on Thursday, 24 June 2021, if you live in regional Victoria:
- There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home but staying COVIDSafe remains important.
- There are no restrictions on travelling to metropolitan Melbourne.
- You can have up to 15 people visit your home per day (cap includes dependants other than infants under 12 months).
- Patients at hospitals and care facilities can have two visitors at a time and up to five visitors per day. End of life patients can have two visitors at a time and there is no total limit per day.
- Eased density limits apply at restaurants, venues, community and sporting facilities and other locations when a COVID Check-In Marshal is present.
- Face masks are mandatory indoors, except at your home or if a lawful exception applies.
- Face masks are recommended outdoors where you cannot maintain 1.5m from others.
- If you have any symptoms, no matter how mild, you should get tested for COVID-19.
- Check-in everywhere you visit using the Service Victoria QR code app, no matter how long you spend at that location.
Visit the Coronavirus website for more information on current Regional Victoria restrictions.
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Please see important messaging attached regarding Agriculture Victoria’s response following the recent storms and floods across Victoria.
If you, or somebody you know, has been impacted by the recent weather events, please contact 1800 226 226, to report any flood damage or other urgent issues requiring attention.
Download the Agriculture Victoria information brochure here.
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Is your organisation ready for the super guarantee rate rise?
On 1 July 2021, the super guarantee rate will rise from 9.5% to 10%. If you have employees, you will need to ensure your payroll and accounting systems are updated to incorporate the increase to the super rate.
If you need help to work out how much super you need to pay for your employees after the rate increases, you can use our super guarantee contributions calculator. For salary and wage payments made on or after 1 July 2021, the minimum superannuation guarantee contribution rate of 10% will need to be applied.
The super rate is scheduled to progressively increase to 12% by July 2025. You can find the scheduled rate increases and dates on our website. Visit the ATO website for more information.
Changes to STP reporting from 1 July
Employers should be reporting through Single Touch Payroll (STP) unless they only have closely held payees, or they are covered by a deferral or exemption. There are changes to STP reporting for small employers with closely held payees and quarterly reporting for micro employers from 1 July 2021. This may affect how you report to us. Visit the ATO website for more information on STP reporting changes.
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and return it to: VCA Secretary, PO Box 612, Mooroopna, 3629
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