Current News

Wednesday, 30 August

2023 Grants set to fight against the Queensland Fruit Fly

The Andrews Labor Government is bolstering fruit growers’ capacity to combat against the Queensland fruit fly (QFF) – delivering grants to ensure Victoria is well protected from the pest. Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney announced the successful recipients from the second round of Victorian Fruit Fly Strategy grants which will help roll out QFF management programs across regional Victoria. 

Read the full Media Release here

Second Varroa emergency zone extends into Victoria
29 August 2023

Varroa mite has been detected near Balranald in the NSW Riverina district which will impact beekeepers with hives in Victoria within the 25 kilometres surveillance emergency zone (SEZ) put in place by New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI).

This is the second emergency zone extending into Victoria, after the detection at Euston last week. Biosecurity (Varroa mite) Emergency Orders have been issued for both locations.

Victorian beekeepers within the surveillance emergency zones will not be allowed to move their hives into, within or out of the zones at this time.

Visit the Ag Vic website to read more of this Media Release.

Employees of small business employers can now access 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period.

Employees of non-small business employers could access the leave from 1 February 2023.

Visit the FWO website for further information

Changes to the PALM Scheme
The Australian Government has announced a number of changes to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, as well as new protections for migrant workers.

Labour hire providers and hosts who employ migrant workers should be aware of the changes, to ensure they continue to meet their obligations.

Visit the Labour Hire Authority website for further information regarding these changes.

Fair Work Act changes: Protecting Worker Entitlements

Some workplace changes that take effect in December 2023 and January 2024, include

• changes to authorised employee deductions
• the right to superannuation in the National Employment Standards
• long service leave entitlements changes for casual employees in the black coal mining industry.

You can access a summary from Fair Work Act changes: Protecting Worker Entitlements. 
There are other workplace law changes starting from June 2023 until the end of the year.
Read our summary information (and download our timeline) to make sure you’re ready: Upcoming workplace law changes affecting you.

MRL Calculator webinar series - Tool to assist horticultural industries comply with maximum residue limits (MRL) in export markets
The MRL calculator enables to you to calculate whether, by extending the withholding period of chemicals, the residue levels will decline enough to meet the overseas MRL. The tool was developed by a consortium of PIBs including ATGA, CGA and SAL, with the support of Agriculture Victoria. The webinars are planned for:

• 10 August 2023, 3pm – “Using the MRL Calculator Tool” to determine whether extended withholding periods will meet export market requirements for specific chemicals (1 hr duration)
• 24 August 2023, 3pm - “MRL calculator Masterclass” which will follow up on the previous webinar with a Q&A on the finer points of using the “MRL calculator” (1hr duration)

Before attending these webinars, or to find out a little more of what this is all about, you should watch a 25-minute recording “Intro to EHI Modelling” on the background of the development of MRL Calculator and the potential for expansion of export markets. The video can be found on the Summerfruit website: https://summerfruit.com.au/form-before-accessing/. To register interest in attending the webinars please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..