Current News
- Details
"Building an Export Culture"
18-19 June 2019
Peninsula Room, National Museum of Australia, Lawson Cres, Acton, Canberra
With new market access, the mainland cherry industry needs to foster an export culture to develop trade and build on the success of the 2018-19 season. We need to build an energetic, knowledgeable and dynamic culture from the ground up to drive the development of long-term market access solutions for industry. This involves not only the technical market access know-how of how to get a shipment from A to B, but also relationship building with customers, government and suppliers. Each market has slightly different preferences and requirements. It is the diversity of markets that will become the backbone of our industry and give us flexibility in placing product.
As an industry, we need to be focused on quality and compliance to be successful.
At the 2019 workshop, participants will hear from experienced cherry growers/exporters, learn from the opportunities and challenges faced by other industries as well as changes to legislation and how to register for export. All businesses involved in the cherry supply chain are encouraged to attend.
- Details
Webinar: Australian fresh produce exports to South Asia
12 June 2019, 2.30-3.30pm
Join this interactive webinar to gain the latest market insights on exports of Australian fresh produce to South Asia. With a growing health consciousness amongst an expanding consumer class in South Asia there are many lucrative opportunities for Australian businesses.
Why attend?
- receive an update on the market and opportunities for imported fruit in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
- gain an insight into current trends in the fresh produce sector in South Asia
- hear from market experts, including a leading importer.
Speakers
Mr Tarun Arora, Director, IG International Pvt Ltd
Dr Mark Morley, Trade Commissioner – India and Pakistan, Austrade
- Details
The Fair Work Commission has announced a 3.0% increase to minimum wages following its 2019 Annual Wage Review.
The new national minimum wage will be $740.80 per week or $19.49 per hour.
The increase applies to base pay rates from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2019.
What do I need to do?
Nothing for now. We’re working on updating our pay tools with the new rates. This usually takes us around 3-4 weeks. We’ll send you an email when the updated pay rates are available.
Who does the increase apply to?
The change only applies to employees that get their pay rates from the national minimum wage, a modern award or in some cases a registered agreement.
Most employees are covered by an award. If you’re not sure which award applies to you or your employees, you can use Find my award on our website.
Find out more:
- Details
The second version of the Cherry Growers’ Biosecurity Manual was released this month. It provides an up to date guide for growers and their consultants and advisors to improve biosecurity on farm.
A digital version of the manual can be downloaded here and hard copies were sent to growers with the Autumn edition of Cherry magazine.
- Details
Overtime penalties for casual employees engaged under the Horticulture Award commences from the first full pay period on or after Monday 15 April 2019, following a decision by the Fair Work Commission (FWC), which was handed down on Tuesday 2 April 2019.
These changes have been confirmed, and include:
- A 15% loading (in addition to the initial casual loading of 25%) for ordinary hours work performed on any day of the week between 8.31pm and 4.59am;
- In circumstances where an employee works more than 12 hours per engagement or per day an overtime penalty rate of 150% (plus 25% casual loading); and
- In circumstances where an employee works more than 304 ‘ordinary hours’ over an 8 week period (an average of 38 hours per week), an overtime penalty rate of 150% (plus 25% casual loading).
These changes must be implemented by 15 April 2019. All growers must ensure they are compliant with the changes to the Horticulture Award or risk non-compliance.
A copy of the Fair Work Commission's decision can be found here.
Join VCA: complete the Membership application form
and return it to: VCA Secretary, PO Box 612, Mooroopna, 3629
Web design by Fruit Tree Media