The Fair Work Commission decision to change the award with regards to pieceworkers will be implemented from 28/4/2022.  Below is some information from APAL and the National Farmers Federation.
 What changes were made to the piece work rate decision? | Apple & Pear Australia Ltd (APAL)

Hort Connections 2022 will be held in Brisbane following the successful, COVID-safe delivery of Hort Connections 2021.

The theme for Hort Connections 2022 – Growing Together – will highlight the importance for every sector of the horticulture industry to come together to build a stronger more resilient food system to feed local and international consumers.

Hort Connections speakers and exhibitors will showcase the latest research, technologies and innovations to offer new perspectives on how the industry can grow together.

Visit the Hort Connections website for further information.

*Early Bird registrations for Hort Connections 2022 end 21 March.

Testing and vaccinations:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria website in multiple languages
• Information about the COVID-19 vaccines in multiple languages
• Instructions on how to use Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)
• Information for people who have recovered from COVID-19
• COVID-19 testing and the workplace

Business support and wellbeing:

• DJPR COVID Safe information session for small/medium business Tuesday, 22 March (2:00pm), Thursday, 24  March (10:00am)
• One on one support to improve financial, business and emotional wellbeing

COVID isolation and exemption:

• List of workers exempted from isolation requirements

What if I've recently contracted COVID-19 or was a contact

The Victorian Government is offering a free support service for small to medium businesses to ensure your COVIDSafe Plan is up to date and reflects current COVIDSafe Settings. The Information forum will provide updates on the latest COVIDSafe Plan information and mandatory requirements, as well as tips on how to implement the Plan in your business.

• Tuesday, 15 March (2:00pm)
• Thursday, 17 March (10:00am)

Sessions are scheduled for approx. 1 hour. A link to the session will be emailed on the day of the forum. Sessions are not recorded. Slides will be circulated after the forum. 

For more information or to register for this event, please click here..

Compliance focus – Victoria’s horticulture industry

The Commonwealth Senate Select Committee on Job Security has inquired into the impact of insecure or precarious employment, with evidence given to the Committee by several workers from the horticulture sector. Media stories since have further highlighted workers’ concerns and the challenges faced with cleaning up the labour hire industry servicing this sector. Read more of this article here...

Site visits to Victorian horticulture businesses this month

The Labour Hire Authority (LHA) continues its work to prevent labour hire worker exploitation in the horticulture industry this year. Inspectors and authorised officers from WorkSafe, Labour Hire Authority and the Department of Justice and Community Safety will visit Yarra Valley farms to conduct compliance checks and offer advice on how to tackle health and safety hazards. These site visits follow an online information session giving Yarra Valley growers and providers the opportunity to refresh their knowledge on workplace health and safety. Read more of this article here...

Useful links and information:

Testing and vaccinations:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria website in multiple languages
• Information about the COVID-19 vaccines in multiple languages
• Instructions on how to use Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)
• Information for people who have recovered from COVID-19
• COVID-19 testing and the workplace

Business support and wellbeing:

• DJPR COVID Safe information session for small/medium business – 1, 3 March
• One on one support to improve financial, business and emotional wellbeing

COVID isolation and exemption:

• List of workers exempted from isolation requirements
• What if I've recently contracted COVID-19 or was a contact

Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 2020/21
The latest annual Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook is out now. It covers trade, volume, value, retail and foodservice data across 75 different commodities. Access the 2020/21 Handbook here.

HIA have released 2022-2026 Strategic Investment Plans for Apple and Pear, Cherries and Stonefruit 
These plans are the roadmaps that help guide Hort Innovation’s investment of levies and Australian Government contributions. Industry-specific Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) outline the key priorities for investment in each levy industry. Each SIP has been created through close consultation with industry, to ensure it represents the balanced interests and opportunities for that industry. Visit the Hort Innovation website to access the above Strategic Investment plans.