Current News
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REMINDER: changes to workplace laws start 26 August 2024. Closing Loopholes
It’s important that you understand your new rights and responsibilities.
Check now if you or your workplace is affected.
- Casual employment changes
- Right to disconnect
- Independent contractor changes
- Minimum standards and protections for some contractors
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$41M to spur development of new fruit and nut varieties - Growers and plant scientists are working together on a new $41M tree crop program to accelerate the development of new almond, apple, citrus, macadamia and mango varieties to be enjoyed by consumers in Australia and abroad. Hort Innovation Media Release
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Palm Scheme Guidelines Update – Minimum Hours Setting
Earlier this year, the Australian Government extended the transition period for minimum hours settings for short term workers until 30 June 2025. As of 01 July 2024, employers of short term workers will be required to offer 120 hours of work over 4 weeks. If employers can’t meet this requirement, they much pay workers’ wages equivalent to 120 hours over 4 weeks.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has now published updated PALM scheme guidelines to reflect this change and also provided a factsheet which explains a PALM scheme employers requirement to offer the minimum net pay guarantee and minimum hour requirements to all PALM scheme workers
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The Extension and Communication project team are excited to be hosting Dr Greg Lang from Michigan University on Monday 26 August 2024 for some protective cover and canopy management workshops in Orange NSW and Yarra Valley Victoria, while he is in Australia for the Fruit Growers Victoria Conference
The workshops will focus on management under protective covers, what considerations growers should be making in these systems, and how canopy management can be altered. Each workshop will have presentations and an in-field component to the day. Agendas and locations to be released shortly. This is a FREE event but registration is necessary.
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Super Guarantee Increase
The May 2024 Federal Budget maintained the Super Guarantee's legislated increase to 12%. From 1 July 2024 the Super Guarantee will increase to 11.5%. It will then increase by a further 0.5% on 1 July 2025 to reach 12%.
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The Commission has increased the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages by 3.75%.
The increase applies from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2024.
In the meantime, you can:
- learn more about the minimum wage increase at 2023 - 2024 Annual Wage Review (bookmark this page and check back for updates)
- use Find my award to check which award applies to you
Join VCA: complete the Membership application form
and return it to: VCA Secretary, PO Box 612, Mooroopna, 3629
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