SEDA news and events
From 1 November 2021, if you have new employees start and they don't choose a super fund, you may have an extra step to take to comply with choice of fund rules. You may need to request their ‘stapled super fund’ details from the ATO.
A stapled super fund is an existing super account linked, or 'stapled', to an individual employee so it follows them as they change jobs. This aims to reduce account fees, avoiding new super accounts being opened every time an employee starts a new job. If you don't meet your choice of super fund obligations, additional penalties may apply.
"We were very lucky this year with our Mogadore apricots," National Sales Director, Tom Panna said. "This year was the best year that we have seen - not necessarily for yield, as it was the lightest crop that we have seen - but the size has been really good, eating quality was amazing. So, we may have picked far less than we are used to, but we reaped benefits on quality as a result of that."
Horticulture businesses across the state will receive extra support during the summer harvest to attract and retain new workers, thanks to the Victorian Government’s new round of the popular Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus.
The new Summer Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus encourages workers who have never worked in agriculture to take up a role in horticulture and receive $2,430 on top of their wage for 40 days’ work.
This Sign-on Bonus is available to workers who start work on or after 1 November 2021 and is designed to encourage new workers into horticulture, while supporting those sectors of the industry preparing for their peak harvest in the coming months.
Employers and farmers in sectors such as stone fruit, berries and cherries will be able to use the Summer Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus until 31 December to attract new pickers and packers. New workers need to complete the first 10 days’ work and apply for the first $810 instalment of the bonus within 30 days of starting work.
Workers then have 90 days to complete the additional 30 days’ work to receive the extra $1,620 instalment of the bonus.
The Victorian Government is delivering the Summer Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus as part of the $10.5 million program, and it is anticipated about 1,100 new workers will receive the bonus to support the upcoming harvest. For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bigharvest
Agriculture Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria, along with the Labour Hire Authority, the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) are holding harvest webinars in November, December and January to assist horticulture producers in navigating the latest requirements. Our operational staff can answer your questions and provide additional information.
Current restrictions in Victoria
Visit the Coronavirus.vic.gov.au website for more information on current Victoria restrictions.
Business Victoria- Quick Update
From 11.59pm on Thursday 21 October, new settings for businesses across metropolitan and regional Victoria were introduced. The Phase B settings under the Roadmap mean some businesses and venues can accommodate more customers and patrons, if all workers and customers are fully vaccinated. Preparation work may include cleaning, organising, arranging, ordering, setting up and implementing COVIDSafe measures ahead of attendance by customers. For more information on industry restrictions or to book a vaccination, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15. Click here to read the Business Victoria Quick Update newsletter.
Covid-19 Victoria: Isolation for fully vaccinated close contacts reduced to 7 days
Brett Sutton has made a major change to Victoria’s close contact isolation rules – but only for those fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated primary close contacts will only need to isolate for seven days once lockdown lifts in Victoria. Health Minister Martin Foley unveiled changes to the state’s isolation policy on Monday morning as Melbourne gets ready to reopen on Thursday night. The new rules mean those exposed to a positive Covid case will only need to quarantine for seven days if they return negative test results on both day one and six of their isolation. Read more of this news.com.au article here...
Read the Media Release from Health Minister Martin Foley regarding the changes to isolation.
Confirmed case in the workplace? Information and advice for businesses who have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace
What employers need to do if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace: As an employer, when you become aware of a confirmed case of COVID-19 at your workplace, you must respond quickly to limit further exposure and contain potential outbreaks. Visit the coronavirus.vic.gov.au website for information on what steps need to be followed and when.
New CovidSafe Template available
Please visit the Coronavirus Victoria website to view and download the latest version (7/10/2021) of the CovidSafe Template.
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