Current News

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.

If your small business has employees, or hires eligible contractors, you'll need to ensure your payroll and accounting systems are updated to reflect the new super guarantee (SG) rate of 11% for payments of salary and wages you make from 1 July.

You need to calculate super contributions at 11% for your eligible workers for payments of salary and wages you make from this date.

If you need help to work out how much super you need to pay for your employees and eligible contractors after 1 July, you can use our super guarantee contributions calculator.

Remember, a registered tax professional can help you with your tax and super obligations.

Visit the ATO website for more information.

2023-26 Horticulture - Applications for the export of cherries to protocol markets 2023-24.

This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the cherry industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses, and registration of treatment facilities to export cherries to protocol markets for the 2023-24 season.

Cherry Export Workshop- Monday 26 June 2023, 9 am to 1pm, Ag Vic Tatura
Targeted towards both potential new exporters and those wishing to export, workshop attendees will be equipped with foundational requirements of exporting to both protocol and non-protocol markets. For exporters intending to register for export to protocol markets, attendance is mandatory from at least one representative from each export registered entity.  Attendance is also mandatory for crop monitors who haven't undertaken monitoring protocols and strongly encouraged for those wishing to refresh their knowledge.
Register here for this event

Get set for a minimum wage increase

The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) has announced:

• the National Minimum Wage will be increased to $882.80 per week or $23.23 per hour
• a 5.75% increase to minimum award wages.

The increase applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2023.The Commission will issue draft determinations and orders about how their decision affects awards shortly. The Commission will then update the pay rates for each award.We (the Fair Work Ombudsman) are currently working to update to our pay tools, website information and resources with the new rates. These will be ready for you to access from 1 July 2023.

Visit the FWO website for more information