Current News

Please note that a new set of Horticulture Seasonal Workforce Directions have been issued from the DHHS. Please refer here for detailed information referring to pages 19 to 23 that specifically cover Horticulture. These directions are specific to seasonal workers only and not to ongoing workers.  

Employers have until the 24^th October 2020 to review and ensure they have the correct COVID Safe processes and procedures in place.  

• Protecting production – in-field management, chemical limitations, exotic fruit flies, etc.
• Market access – domestic and export trade, treatment options, research, etc.

The Fair Work Commission has announced a 1.75% increase to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) following its 2020 Annual Wage Review. The increase applies to awards in 3 stages, which start from the first full pay period on or after:

• 1 July 2020
• 1 November 2020
• 1 February 2021.
 
The Horticulture Award falls into Group 2 Awards, which means that the increase to that Award will apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 November 2020. For anyone not covered by an award or an enterprise agreement, the new national minimum wage will be $753.80 per week or $19.84 per hour. For more information see https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/. 

 If you are uncertain what you should be paying an employer, the Fair Work Ombudsman has a helpful Pay Calculator which enables you to directly calculate their pay rate based on level of employment. For the Pay Calculator go to https://calculate.fairwork.gov.au/ 

• National Landcare Program: Smart Farms Small Grants Round 4- Smart Farms Small Grants is an open, competitive, grant opportunity to support projects to increase farming, forestry and fishing communities’ awareness, knowledge, skills and capacity to adopt best practice sustainable agriculture. Closing date 9th October at 11pm. Click here for further information

• E-commerce and New Marketplace Transition Package- Assisting Victorian farmers and producers to transition to online markets and build business resilience and skills via grants to help pay the costs of: onboarding, online marketing and registration fees, freight and logistics, delivery fees, and online marketing support. Supporting producers and farmers to use online markets and marketplaces will make it easier and cheaper for Victorian consumers to support local farmers. A training program for farmers and producers will be provided as part of the package. Key online farmers’ markets and marketplaces will be contacted directly by the department about the package, but if you would like more information about support, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Funding for Women's Leadership Development: Horticulture Sector- A pool of scholarships are currently available for women in the horticulture sector to participate in a range of leadership courses. EOI's close 9th October 2020.  Visit the Women & Leadership Australia website for more information.