SEDA news and events
Secure Jobs, Better Pay: Changes to Australian workplace laws
The Australian Government has passed the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022. This legislation introduces new workplace laws and changes a range of existing rules. Some of these changes started on 7 December 2022, while others start later.
Key changes
The new laws and rules relate to:
- prohibiting pay secrecy and job ads that contravene the Fair Work Act
- flexible work and fixed term contracts
- anti-discrimination and prohibiting workplace sexual harassment
- unpaid parental leave changes
- enterprise agreements and enterprise bargaining
- equal remuneration and establishing expert panels
- changes to the small claims process
- abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the Registered Organisations Commission (ROC).
Visit the FWO website for more information: Secure Jobs, Better Pay: Changes to Australian workplace laws.
New agriculture and horticulture program – ‘Smarter, Safer Farms’
Changes to hosts’ duties under the OHS Act to labour hire workers
Labour hire hosts need to be aware of the recent changes to their workplace health and safety obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. The changes took effect from 22 March 2022. This means that hosts now have the same health and safety responsibilities to labour hire workers as to their direct employees. It is important to note that providers still have their OHS duties to workers – these are not reduced by these clearer responsibilities for hosts. Visit the LHA website for further info.
LHA in 2023 – compliance focus and engagement opportunities
The Labour Hire Authority (LHA) continues to engage with industry and provide tailored opportunities for providers and hosts to learn about developments in labour hire licensing. We recently held an in-person session for horticulture and viticulture providers and hosts in the Yarra Valley. Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner, Steve Dargavel led the two-hour session highlighting legal obligations, relevant updates to legislation, and case studies, as well as addressing a range of questions. LHA will be hosting similar events across key industry areas in 2023, with a range of online and in-person events for providers, hosts, workers, and other stakeholders. Read more of this LHA article here
Are you employing workers from the Pacific Islands, or do you know someone who is?
Seasonal workers can face unique risks on farms, so Victoria’s Pacific Island community has worked with us to create straightforward safety resources. The videos, posters, and guides can help with induction and training, and are available in five languages:
- Bislama
- Fijian
- Tongan
- Samoan
- English
View the resources and share the link to help keep seasonal workers safe.
Tips from farmers: keeping a seasonal workforce safe
Jon Van Popering oversees all Australian operations at Seeka Australia, including nine orchards and two post-harvest facilities scattered through the Bunbartha area, just north of Shepparton.
Seeka employs a seasonal workforce from a diverse range of backgrounds and nationalities. Jon approaches induction and training as if all staff are brand new, even if they’ve worked on other farms. This means everyone receives thorough and consistent information. You can watch a short Q & A Video with Jon here or you can visit the Worksafe Victoria website to read more about the Farmer story visit with Jon.
- New paid family and domestic violence leave entitlement
- Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill
- How can my business prevent sexual harassment?
- Hiring holiday employees? Be aware of important changes to super
- Rules and entitlements during the end-of-year holiday season
- Managing Leave requests
- Hiring Christmas Casuals
Farmers are warning of a shortage of peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots this summer. Widespread floods, cooler weather and drenching rain has impacted the crop of stonefruit across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Despite heavy rain in Queensland, the crop in the Sunshine State has held up well, peak body Summerfruit Australia said. 9 News
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ACN & Conti Orchards feature in this 'Nine Honey' segment where Jane de Graaff, a presenter and Food & Lifestyle writer explores these orchards and leans about Summer Stonefruit. Click here to watch the video.
Farmers who have been impacted by floods who wish to report the impact to their assets and business should call 1800 226 226. This can include stock lost in the flood, fencing lost or damaged, horticulture crops/trees lost.
AgVic asks that people do report damage as it helps with their response. They also acknowledge that horticulture outcomes can be months down the track.
What to do immediately after a flood- Department of Agriculture
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/floods/what-to-do-immediately-after-a-flood
Support for Victorian Primary Producers Impacted by Flooding
The Victorian Government has announced support for primary producers and businesses across Victoria affected by the devastating floods. A $73.5 million package will deliver grants to help farmers and business owners clean up their properties, while business mentoring, concessional loans and transport subsidies will help businesses get back on their feet.
Support for primary producers- UPDATED
The Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grant of up to $75,000 is available to support clean-up, relief and recovery efforts. This grant replaces the below $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean-Up and Relief Grants announced 21 October 2022.
The $19.5 million Primary Producer Flood Relief Program will deliver a one-off $10,000 payment – administered by Rural Finance – to primary producers directly affected by the floods to help them clean up, re-establish their properties, and get their businesses up and running again. The grants will cover activities like the removal and disposal of debris and injured or dead livestock, repairing essential equipment, fixing and replacing fencing, buying fodder, water and water storage, salvaging damaged crops, grain or feed, and hiring or purchasing materials to clean up a property or equipment.
Primary producers whose properties have been directly hit are also eligible for concessional loans of up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged assets, and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is underway. Applications will open on Thursday, 20 October. For more information, visit www.ruralfinance.com.au
Support for businesses
Business owners will be supported through the $54 million Business Flood Relief Program. Directly impacted businesses will be eligible for a one-off payment of $5,000 to support clean-up, safety inspections, repairs, the hiring of equipment and purchase of stock that businesses need to get back in business as quickly as possible. The program will also support a dedicated Business Relief Service – with dedicated mentors to guide business owners through the available Commonwealth, state and local supports, manage insurance and landlord issues and build a strong recovery strategy.
Applications will open on Thursday, 20 October. For more information, visit Business Victoria or call the Business Victoria hotline on 132 215.
Support for mental health
In addition, the Victorian Government has announced a $4.4 million initial package that will support any extra mental healthcare flood-affected Victorians need. This includes $500,000 for specialist agriculture organisations, including the National Centre for Farmer Health, to provide dedicated mental health support to primary producers whose properties, livestock or crops were lost in the floods. Further information on this support is available in the Premier’s statement.
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Taking care of yourself
Have you been taking care of yourself? During an emergency, people tend to exist in a survival state to get through the incident, using up considerable emotional reserves. If you’ve been working hard for long periods, missing meals and sleep, take some time to take care of yourself. Recognise the signs of stress and reach out for support if you need it. For a comprehensive list of health support agencies, click here - Has your horticultural produce been in contact with flood waters?
- For advice and information about dealing with flood-impacted horticulture, visit the Agriculture website.
- Further information is available on the Horticultural Industry Network website “Recovering from Extreme Events”.
- Additional resources for flood-impacted growers are available at the Food Authority Fresh Produce Safety Centre website
- Fast Facts: Farmers Lung
Moving mouldy hay, straw, grain and compost may trigger breathing issues. Take preventative action and look for signs of Farmers Lung with these Fast Facts by @FarmerHealth. More on lung health here: https://bit.ly/3AHa2OD
Chemical safety after floods
Landholders in flood affected areas may face a range of issues related to the storage and use of chemicals:
- Weed, pest and fungicide spraying may increase after floods. Follow the label and ensure you don’t use chemicals past their expiry date.
- Floodwaters may result in different pests or diseases to those you usually manage. To minimise risks please only use chemicals according to the label instructions.
- Comply with any “DO NOT” statements, including those relating to spraying near waterways or on saturated ground.
- Be cautious when using spraying equipment on flood affected areas as it may be less stable than normal.
- As large areas are saturated there may be an increased need for aerial spraying.
- If chemicals are contaminated or damaged due to flood waters dispose of them appropriately e.g. via subsidised programs like ChemClear or call 1800 008 182.
For more information on dealing with floods visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/floods
Translated Flood Factsheets
Please see below links for translated flood fact sheets from Agriculture Victoria. The material is in:
Downloads:
Agriculture Victoria Floods 2022 - Support for growers APPROVED
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