From 1 January 2020, businesses in Australia’s horticulture industry will be able to apply for the new
Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement. The Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement increases access to
skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers for the horticulture industry, where appropriately qualified
Australians are unavailable. Click here for Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement (HILA) Grower information.

 

Download a copy of the Labour Agreement Factsheet here...

The Food and Fibre team of Industry Development and Participation, has published the annual Victorian Food and Fibre Export Performance Report 2018-19.
 
Victorian food and fibre exports reached a new high last financial year, showing that despite difficult seasonal and market conditions, Victoria’s food and fibre sector continues to go from strength to strength.
 
In 2018-19 Victoria’s food and fibre exports were valued at $14.2 billion, an increase of $98 million on the previous year– keeping Victoria as the nation’s largest food and fibre exporter with 27 per cent of the national total.

Click here to download this report...

Recovery from fire damage in fruit orchards

This Agnote provides information on factors to consider for recovery from fire damage in fruit orchards. Please visit the Agriculture Victoria website for more information...

5 ways to help your fruit trees recover from fire

Visit the 'Grow Great Fruit' website for information on ‘Five ways to help your fruit trees recover from fire’

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a $2 billion bushfire recovery fund to help those affected by the deadly Australian bushfires. "The Commonwealth is committing an additional $2b over the next two calendar years, starting right now, to support all of the efforts of a recovery right across the country. Read more of this 9 News article...

A large-scale breeding and testing programme is set to revolutionise Australia’s premium stonefruit offering

Based in South Australia’s Riverland region, The Chosen Ones (TCO) is a premium stonefruit brand owned by Quality Fruit Marketing (QFM).

The programme originated in 2004 when Nuffield scholar and ‘flavour finder’, Jason Size, teamed up with QFM chairman, Michael Trautwein, to test different varieties for their growers.

Click here to read the full 'FruitNet' article...

Support for people directly affected by bushfires in disaster declared areas.

Visit the Australian Government- Department of Human Services website for more information on support available...