Visa Extensions Announced
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud and Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge have today announced the visa extensions that the horticulture industry has been advocating for so strongly.

Below are some key facts from the announcement this morning.

Key Facts for Visa Extensions

• Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme workers can extend their stay for up to 12 months to work for approved employers (ensuring pastoral care and accommodation needs of workers are met to minimise health risks to visa holders and the community).
• Approved employers under the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme will need to continue engaging with the Department of Education, Skills and Employment on labour market testing to ensure recruitment of Australians first.
• Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) who work in agriculture or food processing will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months.
• Conditions will be placed upon visa holders to self-isolate for 14 days before taking up employment in a different region (including termination of visas where there is non-compliance).
• To support implementation of self-isolation arrangements for visa holders and avoid spread of COVID-19 the government is working with states and territories on enforcement and sanction mechanisms.
• Employers will need to commit to providing safe accommodation for agricultural workers that complies with social distancing requirements.
• Arrangement will also need to be in place for a declaration between employers and employees that all protocols necessary to ensure human health and accommodation requirements have been met.

This is a positive result for the entire industry and helps provide some level of certainty to the sector during this difficult time.

AUSVEG has been working extremely closely with the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Horticulture Council and the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA), as well as the various departments and ministers to deliver this outcome.

We would also like to especially thank Agriculture Minister David Littleproud for his tireless efforts in delivering this complicated policy change for our growers.

Press releases from AUSVEG and from the Federal Government.

COVID-19 Workplace Guide
The NFF has released the first edition of its COVID-19 Workplace Guide today, to coincide with the announcement of visa extensions by the Federal Government.

The Guide outlines best practice guidance regarding living and working arrangements for farm workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Guide can be found here.

The Guide will be regularly updated and has also been referred by Government to Australia’s Chief Medical Officer and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee for their consideration and input.

FWC proposal to vary Modern Awards
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has indicated it proposes to vary most of the Modern Awards, including the agricultural awards, to:

1. include a right for employees to take two weeks of “unpaid pandemic leave”; and
2. allow employer and employee to agree for an employee to take twice their annual leave at half pay.

These variations are intended to allow employees to comply with government directives to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. to self-isolate) particularly where other forms of leave (e.g. personal leave) are not available.

If you have any concerns around these changes please email tyson.cattle@ausveg.com.au.

COVID-19 support kit from HRGS
HR Global Solutions (HRGS) has provided some options to growers to support them through this challenging time.

Employer and HR Mangers Survival Kit, HRGS provides key relevant health and safety legal obligations, key Australian Workplace legal obligations, current state of Australian Government advice and practical solutions for organisations and individuals in managing this emerging issue.

Ensuring your business is compliant, your processes are sound, and your managers have the knowledge and confidence required to manage your employees is essential in this current national and global health emergency.

HRGS is also offering an opportunity to growers via AUSVEG to access support in this space at a discounted rate for the Employer and HR Mangers Survival Kit, including access to all template documents and free 12 months of updates, from $2,750 to $1,750.

To purchase the full Employer Coronavirus Support Kit please enter the special promotional code – AUSVEG1000. This code expires on April 30.

See the Employer Survival Kit Coronavirus edition here.

Other helpful links

• Fair Work Ombudsman
• Fresh Produce Safety and COVID-19
• Freshcare COVID-19
• Department of Health

Complete the AUSVEG Grower Survey now!
AUSVEG has launched its 2020 AUSVEG Grower Survey and is calling for your feedback to help guide its agenda for this year.

This is your chance to have your say on significant issues such as your Research and Development levy and help set the priorities for AUSVEG’s advocacy agenda.

Click here to complete the grower survey

For more information, contact AUSVEG National Manager – Public Affairs Tyson Cattle at tyson.cattle@ausveg.com.au, or 03 9882 0277.