Current News

Those of us who have been enjoying some beautiful Australian cherries over summer would be largely unaware of the very significant challenges mainland growers face when it comes to exporting fruit.

Cherry Growers Australia president Tom Eastlake farms in the NSW district of Young and said non-tariff trade barriers had been the most pressing issue for the mainland industry for more than two decades.

He said free trade deals touted as ‘big wins for cherry growers’ had in fact delivered no improvement in market access for mainland growers who faced export restrictions due to pest concerns.

“Those free trade deals didn’t do anything for us,” he said. - Read more of this QLD Country Life article.

Growing concern over the exploitation of workers in the agricultural industry led to the South Australian, Queensland and Victorian state Governments conducting enquiries into the use of labour hire. Recommendations from those enquiries resulted in the introduction of similar, but subtly different labour hire regulations requiring licensing of labour hire providers in each of the three states.

Victoria: The Victorian Labour Hire Licensing Scheme is a new business licensing system that protects vulnerable labour hire workers from exploitation and regulates the provision of labour hire services. Certain administrative provisions under the scheme have begun, but licensing is not yet in force.

Compliance obligations for labour hire providers and users, including those relating to licensing, are not expected to begin before early 2019. The commencement date for these obligations will be announced well in advance and will include information about the transition period for applying for a licence.

Further information: https://labourhireauthority.vic.gov.au/

Source: MADEC

As well as changes to make it more attractive for working holiday makers to stay for longer on farms, the Commonwealth Government also introduced changes to make the Seasonal Worker Programme even more attractive to growers.

-From the 5th of November 2018, seasonal workers from all countries will be able to work for a period of up to nine months in Australia (up from the existing six months), but must spend three months out of every twelve in their home country.

-Growers will only have to contribute $300 toward the airfare cost for each worker instead of the current $500.

-Labour market testing must run for a minimum of two weeks and the results will be valid for six months from the date the advertisement was removed rather than 3 months as it is now.

So the takeaway message is there are lots of changes either underway or soon to commence. For further information or to source harvest workers, contact the Harvest Trail – 1800 062 332

Source: MADEC

Given the importance of backpackers for picking and packing fruit crops, the Commonwealth Government has recently announced some changes that will make it easier to find backpackers who want to work on farms and enable them to work and stay longer in Australia. The main changes are:

-From the 5th of November 2018, expanding the regional areas where 462 visa holders (China, Indonesia, USA, Chile, Argentina) can work to get a 2nd year visa extension – currently they can only get an extension by working in northern Australia.

-From the 5th of November 2018, 417 and 462 visa holders can work with one employer for 12 months, an increase from the current 6 months.

-After the 1st of July 2019, 417 and 462 visa holders will have the option of getting a third year visa if they do six months of specified work in a rural area.

-Progressively increasing the country caps for some 462 visa holders.

-Increase the age of 417 visa holders from Canada and Ireland to 35.

The key focus is on providing immediate access to workers in key rural areas. Employers will be able to retain trained and experienced employees for up to 12 months, rather than the previous six months.

Source: MADEC

With the current rain events this season, Serve-Ag Tasmania have been kind enough to share some advice in relation to managing split fruit.

Please see attached document for this very helpful article.

Please see attached documentation in regards to Export Work Plans.