Current News

There are a number of significant changes to the COVID Safe requirements for seasonal horticulture workplaces for you to be aware of. Effectively, in the context of continuing zero COVID case days, the Additional Obligations Directions and Workplace Directions have been wound back significantly.
 
Two new Workplace Directions were issued and became effective on 22 November 11.59 pm – Additional Obligations No 13 and Workplace Directions No 10.
 
The new Workplace Additional Obligations Directions No 13 replaces the previous Directions:

• Removes certain obligations from the listed industries such as having a High Risk COVIDSafe Plan, cleaning logs and PPE training plan
• Removes the requirement for surveillance testing for seasonal horticultural work
• Removes the requirements for employers to supply face coverings to seasonal workers and ensure that all seasonal workers at the seasonal Work Premises wear a face covering at all times
• Removes the requirement on all industries (except for care facilities, hotel quarantine and ports of entry) for employers to require workers to make declarations at the start of each shift
• Retains the requirement for record keeping, separation of workers through bubbles, and increased cleaning.

While seasonal horticulture businesses do not have to have a 'seasonal horticulture worker COVIDSafe Plan', all businesses must have a COVID safe plan in place that addresses the COVID related risks of the business and the requirements of the Additional Obligations Directions.
 
DHHS may still look to undertake some voluntary surveillance testing of seasonal horticulture farms. We are seeking some further information on this.

The Department of Transport (DoT) is inviting your organisation to take part in the Principal Freight Network (PFN) Review 2020.  The PFN is the strategic network of places and connecting corridors that enable the efficient, safe and economic movement of freight in Victoria. It identifies the strategic places and transport corridors where freight of significant quantity, value or importance is generated, stored, and distributed.
 
The PFN will enable the future growth of the freight task on the Victorian transport network by:

• guiding future transport network and land-use planning and infrastructure investment
• protecting the freight network and its future capacity through appropriate legislation planning scheme and policy provisions
• integrating multi-modal supply chains and end-to-end supply chains to achieve productivity gains and industry competitiveness.

Follow the link below to provide feedback by Friday 18 December 2020 on the PFN maps, including amendments proposed, prior to the release of an updated PFN in early 2021. Material to support you as you provide feedback is available on the Get Involved web page, including a Project Fact Sheet and FAQs. You will be directed to provide your feedback on the interactive map of the PFN through Social PinPoint. 

Victoria has opted into the above program, however, no decision from Victoria (specifically DHHS) on the best quarantine pathway for workers coming in has been decided.    

Even though a decision has not been made, we urge you to register your interest with an Approved Employer to confirm your interest in bringing in workers.

A list of Approved Employers is available here and includes a mix of growers and labour hire providers. Growers who are not Approved Employers can contact Connect Group and MADEC who will take EOIs from new clients who are able to commit to upfront workers costs. Please email: The Connect Group This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or MADEC This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

There is also a Seasonal Worker Regional Pilot program that is being run in the Goulburn Valley, assisting smaller growers to meet harvest needs, attached is the relevant flyer. You can also discuss your needs or questions with Miki Wilson who is the Regional Coordinator on (03) 54305601 or Mobile 0407 611 044.

Download the Regional Pilot Factsheet here...

1. Promote agricultural  jobs. YVR have a list of  jobseekers-participants from the recent Seasonal Workers Information Session and will inform them about local seasonal jobs. The VCA have already provided  some grower contacts (as per the VCA email sent earlier this month) who are seeking labour.
2. National Harvest Virtual Jobs Fair https://www.employment.gov.au/HarvestVJF to help agribusinesses across Australia find the workers they need. If employers have agricultural vacancies to fill for their upcoming season, they should consider exhibiting at the Virtual Jobs Fair. It will be held online on Thursday, 19 November 2020 from 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm (AEDT) – NSW, ACT, VIC & TAS. Exhibiting is free, providing businesses/key industry groups with the opportunity to showcase job opportunities and connect with enthusiastic job seekers looking for work.
3. YVR are collaborating with Migrants Information Centre (MMIC) and CALD communities coordinators and see serious interest from these communities to agricultural works. There are some barriers like language and transportation but MIC is happy to help with translation, transportation options could be discussed with particular growers. This is another source of seasonal labour for local growers. YVR are happy to connect growers with these communities and their coordinators.
4. Working For Victoria– a great opportunity to post jobs on the government platform with more than 86 000 jobseekers Australia wide. This site really works, posting a job is a free and quick process. https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/register-employer    
    

• Media Coverage in Sitchu 
• Sunday Age article attached – also picked up by the Good Food
• Timeout- Victorian Cherry Trail
• News for the food lover- The Victorian Cherry Trail is open to Melburnains

The Australian Government, through the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) is hosting a National Harvest Virtual Jobs Fair to help agribusinesses across Australia find the staff they need.

Exhibiting is free and employers can showcase job opportunities and connect with enthusiastic job seekers looking for work

The National Harvest Virtual Jobs Fair is being held online on Thursday, 19 November 2020 from 1pm to 5pm (local time Vic/NSW/ACT/Tas). Employers can chat online with potential employees to discover if they might be a good fit for their business.

Employers can register their interest in being an exhibitor by submitting an Exhibitor Expression of Interest and a response will be sent shortly afterwards.

Visit the event website for more information...