Current News

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..

This year's National Farm Safety Week theme is 'stay on the safe side' with vehicles and machinery, which make up around 75% of Victorian farm workplace deaths.
 
Jon, who oversees orchards and post-harvest facilities, offers tips for side-by-sides that work for them. This includes a pre-start check to pick up any issues early, which saves the business money in the long run. Watch the video to hear from Jon, and visit our website for his full story.