Changes to workplace laws come into effect in June under the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act.

The Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act was passed in December 2022, making several changes to the Fair Work Act. Providers should ensure they are compliant with these new requirements before they come into effect. The changes are being phased in progressively, with the following changes commencing in early June 2023:

• Flexible work

• Extensions to unpaid parental leave

• Pay secrecy

• “Zombie” agreements

• Multi-employer bargaining 

Advisory service now available
Labour hire providers are obliged to meet all award, super and taxation obligations set in the Fair Work Act 2009. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Employer Advisory Service provides free tailored advice about pay and conditions to small business owners. Smaller providers can utilise this service to ensure they are meeting their obligations. Learn more on the FWO website

Visit the Labour Hire Authority website for further information on these upcoming changes

"Although the 2023 summer fruit season has not started yet, things are already looking uncertain. The main reasons are the weather and the drought, which have already caused a 20% drop in production for apricots," explains Maurizio Fiorenza, director of OP Eco Farm.

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• changes to agreement making
• increased access to multi-employer bargaining through single-interest bargaining, supported bargaining and cooperative bargaining 
• changes to extending unpaid parental leave, including giving the Fair Work Commission the power to deal with disputes 
• more employees able to access flexible working arrangements.

• provider and host obligations under the labour hire licensing scheme
• LHA’s recent and upcoming compliance and enforcement activities
• recent legal and regulatory changes in labour hire
• new resources to support compliance.

Get ready for STP2 reporting
Single Touch Payroll (STP) has been expanded, we have now introduced STP Phase 2.
As an employer, you’ll need to report more information about your employees each pay day. You can do this through your payroll software. We’ve worked closely with Digital Service Providers (DSPs) and most payroll software is now ready for STP Phase 2 reporting. Contact your DSP to check that your payroll software is ready. If you’re not prepared for STP Phase 2, your registered tax or BAS agent can help.
To learn more about the changes to STP, we’ve developed some simple, detailed guidelines to help businesses just like yours get it right. We also have some resources designed to help you with your STP reporting obligations. Visit the ATO website for more information

Need a hand with your employees’ tax and super?
No matter where you may be in your hiring journey, we’re here to support you in meeting your obligations as an employer. We have resources to help you with:

• withholding your employees’ tax
• paying super guarantee contributions
• single touch payroll
• managing employees' fringe benefits
• correctly classifying your workers.

For more information and to check out our top tips for employers, visit Engaging a worker. Remember, tax professionals and BAS agents can help you with your employer obligations.

With the arrival of two large ships each carrying hundreds of containers of Chilean prunes and plums, Chilean stone fruits entered the peak of arrivals this week. In addition, the first batch of New Zealand apples and pears was on the market. The imported avocado, which has maintained a high price for several weeks, has gradually lowered its price in the past two weeks.

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