Current News

Secure Jobs, Better Pay: Changes to Australian workplace laws
The Australian Government has passed the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022. This legislation introduces new workplace laws and changes a range of existing rules. Some of these changes started on 7 December 2022, while others start later.
 
Key changes   
The new laws and rules relate to:

• prohibiting pay secrecy and job ads that contravene the Fair Work Act
• flexible work and fixed term contracts
• anti-discrimination and prohibiting workplace sexual harassment
• unpaid parental leave changes
• enterprise agreements and enterprise bargaining
• equal remuneration and establishing expert panels
• changes to the small claims process
• abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the Registered Organisations Commission (ROC).

Visit the FWO website for more information: Secure Jobs, Better Pay: Changes to Australian workplace laws.

New agriculture and horticulture program – ‘Smarter, Safer Farms’

Are you employing workers from the Pacific Islands, or do you know someone who is? 
Seasonal workers can face unique risks on farms, so Victoria’s Pacific Island community has worked with us to create straightforward safety resources. The videos, posters, and guides can help with induction and training, and are available in five languages:

• Bislama
• Fijian
• Tongan
• Samoan
• English

View the resources and share the link to help keep seasonal workers safe.

Tips from farmers: keeping a seasonal workforce safe
Jon Van Popering oversees all Australian operations at Seeka Australia, including nine orchards and two post-harvest facilities scattered through the Bunbartha area, just north of Shepparton.

Seeka employs a seasonal workforce from a diverse range of backgrounds and nationalities. Jon approaches induction and training as if all staff are brand new, even if they’ve worked on other farms. This means everyone receives thorough and consistent information. You can watch a short Q & A Video with Jon here  or you can visit the Worksafe Victoria website to read more about the Farmer story visit with Jon. 

• New paid family and domestic violence leave entitlement
• Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill
• How can my business prevent sexual harassment?
• Hiring holiday employees? Be aware of important changes to super
• Rules and entitlements during the end-of-year holiday season
• Managing Leave requests
• Hiring Christmas Casuals

AWiA has been rolling out the 2022 Connect to Cultivate national event series with great success so far in Canberra in the ACT, Toowomba in QLD and Dubbo in NSW. The next event is now locked in to continue the connections with members and new friends in VIC - scheduled for Euroa on Friday 9 December at the Euroa Golf Club from 3pm to 8pm.

This event will bring together incredible leaders and guests for an afternoon tea and dinner to help connect the Euroa community and surrounding regions after a very tough year.

This special event in Euroa will include the below speakers:

• Kate Auty - Euroa barrister, historian, farmer, and community activist.
• Karen Maroney - Deputy Chair of AgBiz Assist (Rural Financial Counselling Service)
• Cr Laura Binks - Mayor Strathbogie Shire and 2021 MBE Fellow
• Rien Silverstein - Goulburn Valley orchardist and winner of the 2022 Women in Horticulture Award and the 2022 APAL (Apple and Pear Australia) Women in Horticulture Award
• Jade Killoran - independent cover crop advisor and researcher, working in Victorian grazing systems and founder, of ‘Healthy Farming Systems’

Members - your tickets are discounted to $10 and friends - your tickets are $30.

Purchase tickets for this event here...