It is mandatory for every Victorian business with on-site operations to have a COVIDSafe Plan.

To ensure compliance, random spot checks are occurring throughout Victoria. Your COVIDSafe Plan must demonstrate:

• your actions to help prevent the introduction of COVID-19 to your workplace
• the type of face mask or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for your workforce
• how you will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in your workplace
• how you will meet all the requirements set out by the Victorian Government. Some industries or workplaces are subject to additional industry obligations and have additional requirements of employers and employees.

Businesses must review and update their COVIDSafe Plans regularly, especially when restrictions or public health advice changes. Organisations with multiple worksites must complete a COVIDSafe Plan for each worksite. Visit the Coronavirus website for more information.

New national biosecurity website

• brings together resources on other sites
• raises awareness for biosecurity risks
•  makes it easier for you to take action.

Horticulture Showcase
Horticulture Showcase offers valuable information to help you understand your workplace rights and responsibilities under the Horticulture Award and the Wine Award.

The Horticulture Showcase includes resources and information to help workers and growers find information about pay and entitlements. Visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website for more information.

The Australian-grown Horticulture Sustainability Framework
Hort Innovation has released the Australian-grown Horticulture Sustainability Framework, a guide to help the horticulture sector share its sustainable, ethical, and safe farming practice stories with stakeholders.

The initiative aims to help the industry share their sustainability credentials and stories, as consumers and investors increasingly ask for evidence of ethical and sustainable practices from their food producers. Visit the Hort Innovation website for more information.
Download the Australian grown Horticulture Sustainability Framework guide here..

 

 

The Victorian government announced new coronavirus restrictions to apply from 1pm Saturday 21 August, with regional Victoria moving to the same settings as Melbourne, with the only difference being that no curfew will apply outside Greater Melbourne.
 
One of the important new restrictions that will impact members is that workforce permits will be required for all authorised workers to travel to work from Midnight 23rd August at 11.59pm.
 
Horticulture is on the authorised workers list. It is the employers responsibility to provide the permits for their workers. Attached are the worker permits in word and pdf format to be completed on behalf of all employees.
 
More details about the permits can be found on the Vic Gov website - https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/authorised-provider-and-authorised-worker-permit.  This link is an excellent resource for growers providing answers to different workplace scenarios eg.  casual workers, employees working across multiple sites etc.
 
Please note that the Workplace Directions has been updated as at 21 August. Download here..

From 1:00pm Saturday 21 August 2021, restrictions across Victoria change:

Changes have been introduced to slow the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the number of people leaving their homes and moving around Victoria. You cannot leave your home other than for one of the five following reasons:

• shopping for necessary goods and services
• caregiving or compassionate reasons, including medical care or http://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/getting-tested">to get a COVID-19 test
• http://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/authorised-provider-and-authorised-worker-list-0">authorised work (with a permit) or permitted education
• exercise (once a day for 2 hours)
• to http://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/who-can-get-vaccinated">get a COVID-19 vaccination (provided the distance travelled, and the time taken is no more than is absolutely necessary)

Visit the Coronavirus website for further information regarding Victorian restrictions.