Current News

Covid 19 Updates

Sensible changes to pandemic orders and public health recommendations and requests came into place at 11:59pm 12 July 2022. These include;

• The period when someone is considered a recently confirmed case (and therefore exempt from testing and isolation/quarantine requirements) has been revised to four weeks, down from 12 weeks. 
• Positive cases are still required to isolate for seven days from the day they took their test but an additional reason to leave home has been added – to provide transport for a household member to obtain essential food, only if transport is essential or if other arrangements cannot be made. The infected person will need to remain in the car and wear a face covering at all times.
• Mask wearing in indoor and crowded settings is strongly recommended to protect yourself and the most vulnerable Victorians through winter – but there are no changes to current face mask requirements with these new pandemic orders.

Visit the Coronavirus.vic.gov.au website for further information on these and other updates.

The conference is back and better than ever!  This year’s conference will focus on informing producers on how they can prepare for the future changes to orchard and packing technology with several keynote speakers from around the world. Head to our website for more information on our guest speakers, trade displays and registration details. https://fgv.com.au/grower-services/events/fgvl-conferences/conference-2022

Minimum wages increase from 1 July 2022
From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2022, minimum wages increased under the National Minimum Wage and under most awards.

Fair Work Ombudsman have updated their pay tools, information and resources with the new rates for the first set of awards affected.
You can:

• use the Pay and Conditions Tool to calculate your new pay rate (including allowances)
• go to the Pay guides page to access the updated pay guide for your award
• use the Find my award tool to check what award you're covered by.

Superannuation changes from 1 July 2022

There are changes to superannuation (super) taking effect from 1 July 2022. This includes the:

• removal of the $450 super guarantee threshold – go to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website to learn more about this change: Removing the $450 per month threshold for super guarantee eligibility 
• increase in the super guarantee rate from 10% to 10.5% – visit the ATO website to learn more about this increase: Get ready for super changes from 1 July 

If you want to understand your super obligations or entitlements, go to ATO – Super 

Statement on the Pandemic Declaration- The Hon Daniel Andrews

Pandemic Declaration extended for 3 months from 11:59pm Tuesday 12th July 2022. Read the full Statement here.