Since the spread of COVID-19 in Australia began in March 2020, international borders closed, resulting in a severe reduction in workers in Victorian growing regions to harvest, package and process vegetables.

While the long-term outlook of managing COVID-19 may improve, two key areas of immediate concern that the Victorian horticulture industry continues to face are:

1. Ensuring worker and food safety protocols surrounding COVID-19 transmission; and
2. Access to the seasonal horticulture labour workforce.

Vegetable Growers Association of Victoria Incorporated, trading as AUSVEG VIC, is the peak body in Victoria representing all vegetable growers.

AUSVEG VIC with support from the Victorian Government, has produced a video series promoting COVID-Safe practices, for workers to prevent the spread and transmission of COVID-19. The video series has translated subtitles in a few key languages identified:

• Vietnamese
• Mandarin
• Bislama (Vanuatu’s native language)
• Khmer (Cambodia’s native language) – voice over versions are also available for viewing

The video series has been community checked with language and cultural experts for each of the above languages and is specific to the Victorian horticulture industry.

The series promotes the adoption of COVID-Safe practices, whilst highlighting the safe practices of Victorian horticulture to a broader audience of prospective workers for Victorian horticulture businesses.

We encourage you to share these targeted industry specific resources with your council constituents, to further increase the adoption of COVID-Safe practices on Victorian horticulture farms.

To watch the videos, visit ausvegvic.com.au/covidsafe.

Welcome to the AUSVEG VIC COVID-Safe video series:

Best Hygiene Practices: Keep clean and carry on:

Informational Sources: COVID-19 in Victoria:

How Coronavirus Spreads: Spreading the word about coronavirus risks:

Pandemic support options for workers: COVID-19 in Victoria:

Worker Safety – obligations: What YOU can do to remain safe: