AGRICULTURAL employers have been granted new options by the Australian Taxation Office to move toward a single touch payroll system.
Although the 30 September deadline for small employers (19 or fewer employees) to move to single touch payroll (STP) has passed, the ATO wants to remind farmers – and all employers in the agriculture industry – that they have options.
STP is a new way of reporting tax and super information to the ATO, with employers sending their employees’ salaries and wages, pay as you go (PAYG) withholding and super information electronically each time they pay their employees.
The ATO recognises that employers in this industry have unique challenges, different ways of working and managing payroll, particularly if they operate a small farm with 1-4 employees or have a fluctuating seasonal workforce.
To support their transition to STP, the ATO has released concessions for employers in the agriculture industry – outlined in an information guide available for download.
On 4 October 2019, terms allowing an employer to unilaterally substitute a public holiday or substitute a public holiday with agreement from the majority of their staff will be removed from awards that contain them.
Instead, employers and individual employees can agree to substitute another day (or part-day) for a public holiday.
Public holiday entitlements will apply to the substituted day for any employees that agree. For any employees that don’t agree to the substitution, the original public holiday will attract public holiday entitlements.
You can read the Fair Work Commission’s decision for more information.
To welcome in the upcoming 2019 Cherry Season Launch, the Victorian Cherry Association has updated the Victorian Cherry Trail Brochure. The brochure is now available in hard copy as well as a quick and easy to use interactive version. Thank you to all the participants. Find the interactive version available for download here.
It is now easier for you to understand your workplace rights and responsibilities under the Horticulture Award and the Wine Award.
The new Horticulture Showcase includes resources and information to help workers and growers find information about pay and entitlements.
and return it to: VCA Secretary, PO Box 612, Mooroopna, 3629
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