Current News

The Department of Health and Agriculture Victoria are organising Information Sessions for Horticulture Industry in Yarra Ranges to help farmers prepare for COVID Safe Inspections and make sure they are following current guidelines and implementing COVID Safe Plans and strategies.

These inspections will be conducted at random and will be focused on the farm work (trimming, picking and packing), farm accommodation, farm transportation and labour providers.

Before COVID Safe Inspections get underway, this is an informal opportunity to come and seek advice from the Department of Health, AgVic and other government agencies.
 
Information sessions will be held in three locations – Lilydale, Monbulk and Yarra Glen on 25,26 and 27 of May. Choose session time and location which suits you better and register for the session. All the details and links to registration are in the attachment.

Download the brochure for more information

Please download the attached article that appeared in the recent Australian Tree Crop magazine featuring Cobram & District Fruit Growers Association President Tony Siciliano and General Manager, Karen Abberfield.  Tony and Karen discuss how the increased Queensland Fruit Fly (Qfly) pressure is of great concern for growers and the need for continued effective and widespread management of the pest.

Download the Australian Tree Crop article here...

The Federal Budget saw some benefits to Australia’s growers.  Workforce, trade and biosecurity were big winners with major funding announcements for each.
Some of the highlights include –

• The Federal Budget increases direct spending within the agriculture related portfolios by $850 million. This comes after an increase of $1.27 billion in the October 2020 budget.
• $8.4 million to improve collection, analysis and forecasting of agricultural labour force data.
• $3.6 million for Fair Farms program to promote fair employment practices in horticulture.
• $198.2 million to support Australian export businesses by increasing Australia’s presence at the WTO, and advocacy and coalition building on international trade matters with likeminded countries.
• $371 million over four years for Australia’s biosecurity

A more detailed breakdown of the budget and its announcements for Australian agriculture is below -

Workforce

• $10.1 million for a pilot AgUP program to co-fund industry initiatives that build skills and enhance career pathways in farming.
• $8.4 million to improve collection, analysis and forecasting of agricultural labour force data.
• $5.3 million for AgCAREERSTART program to incentivise school leavers to undertake farm placements.
• $3.6 million for Fair Farms program to promote fair employment practices in horticulture.
• $1.3 million in R&D into attraction and retention of agricultural workers.
• $1 million to develop resources for farmers to implement modern workplace practices.

• $285 million for stronger skills for skills reform to establish 15 industry-owned Skills Enterprises (agriculture being one industry).

Workplace visits put safety in the spotlight
WorkSafe, Department of Health and Labour Hire Authority inspectors have visited orchards across the Shepparton region as part of a co-ordinated approach to workplace safety. Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner Steve Dargavel said the Authority’s focus during its visits was on education and ensuring compliance, checking that providers had COVIDSafe plans, as well as looking at their licence status and conditions for labour hire workers. Click here for more information...

Teams take safety message to Goulburn Valley growers
The Labour Hire Authority, WorkSafe, Agriculture Victoria and the Department of Health held an information session for providers and hosts in Shepparton at the Parklake Hotel ahead of the inspections. The session provided employers with practical and constructive advice about how to comply with occupational health and safety regulations, stay COVIDSafe and support vulnerable workers, as well as information about accessing seasonal workers and the support available. Click here for more information...

Work-related fatigue: A guide for employers
Employers are responsible for preventing and managing fatigue in the workplace. There are three broad types of fatigue: physical, mental and emotional. To learn how to prevent fatigue, check out the Work-related fatigue guide for employers from WorkSafe

Changes to electronic record-keeping
Record keeping continues to be an important tool to stay safe and stay open. Information and advice is available for businesses and workplaces required to collect contact details. Most customer-facing venues and facilities are required to use the free Victorian Government QR Service or Victorian Government Application Programming Interface linked digital system for electronic record keeping.

Under the Horticulture Award, an employer and employee can enter into an agreement for the employee to be paid a piecework rate. A piecework rate is:

• a rate of pay paid on the basis of how much an employee has individually picked, packed or pruned
• paid to an employee instead of an hourly pay rate
• a method of payment and not a type of employment.

Pieceworkers are still full-time, part-time or casual employees.

Visit the Horticulture Showcase website for more information

Changes to casual employment – industrial relations reforms

On Friday 26 March 2021, the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act) was amended to change workplace rights and obligations for casual employees. The changes were made by the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Act 2021 (Amendment Act). These changes came into effect on Saturday 27 March 2021.

What’s changed-

The Amendment Act introduces a:

• Casual Employment Information Statement
• definition of casual employment
• pathway for casual employees to move to full-time or part-time (permanent) employment.

Visit the Fair Work website for more information on these changes