In June 2020, the Fair Work Commission announced a 1.75% increase to minimum wages, with new rates coming into effect in 3 stages for different groups of awards. The increase to the second group of awards, which includes the construction, manufacturing and a range of other industries, starts from the first full pay period on or after 1 November 2020. For a full list of awards in Group 2, see When will my award increase.

Where do I get the new pay rates?

If pay rates in your award are increasing from 1 November, use our Pay Calculator to get your new rates. You can also get the new award rates from the Pay guides.

View the Horticulture Award updated Pay Guide here...

 

Agriculture has remained open during Victoria’s restrictions. As Victoria’s roadmap for reopening progresses, additional requirements are in place to ensure the safe movement of seasonal horticultural workers from metropolitan Melbourne to regional Victoria to undertake specific work. 

• Industry Guidelines- Seasonal Horticulture
• Seasonal horticulture COVIDSafe requirements factsheet
• About the Seasonal Horticulture Workers COVID Safe Plan
• Seasonal horticulture guidelines – here
• Seasonal horticulture workers COVID Safe plan – here

WorkSafe Victoria's OHS Essentials is a free workplace safety consultation service, delivered by independent occupational health and safety (OHS) experts. The service is a great way to receive free, independent and personalised advice to manage safety at your workplace.

Apply here for your free OHS essential consultation...

• Agriculture Workforce Plan- Business adaptation grants. Grants between $10,000 and $300,000 will support eligible businesses to meet the costs of adapting workplaces to comply with health, safety and social distancing requirements or adapting to required business changes as a result of the pandemic. Register via the Agriculture Victoria website.

• Worker relocation and accommodation- A daily travel-to-work allowance of up to $50 per employee and daily accommodation support of up to $200 per employee is available to businesses unable to fill eligible roles locally. Register via the Agriculture Victoria website.

• Worker induction and retraining. Grants between $1000 and $100,000 are available to support eligible employers inducting workers into new job roles and/or delivering re-training. Register via the Agriculture Victoria website.

• Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job-  Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job (RATTUAJ) is an Australian Government program that assists eligible participants to relocate to take up an offer of employment. Relocation assistance helps participants accept work outside of their area by removing the financial barriers that can prevent people relocating. From 1 December 2020, all job seekers participating in employment service programs will be immediately eligible for the Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job program. View the Factsheet for Job Seekers and the Factsheet for Employers.

Please see the attached for a summary from Agriculture Victoria of all resources available.

Seasonal hay fever and asthma - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
This spring it is more important than ever to speak to your doctor to manage your hay fever and asthma and if your symptoms are new or different to usual – you must get tested for coronavirus.

Hay fever or asthma can produce symptoms similar to coronavirus such as a runny nose, cough or shortness of breath, and while good management can help prevent these, it is critical to get tested for coronavirus if these are different to your usual symptoms. Visit the DHHS website for more information.

The 2020/2021 season is upon us and the stone fruit forecast and overall estimate volumes are looking much better compared to the same time last year.

Good winter rains in most parts of the Western Cape during 2020, together with good winter chill and moderate spring conditions contributed to better overall fruit set of all stone fruit commodities. Although very early in the season we are optimistic about the anticipated volumes of especially apricots and plums that is said to normalise.

Click here to read the full Fresh Plaza article...