COVID-19 UPDATES FOR YOUR WORKFORCE

Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work Ombudsman have a web page providing links to important Government information about coronavirus.

They also answer frequently asked questions about workplace obligations and entitlements, for business owners affected by the outbreak of coronavirus.

Hit them up for any queries into workplace laws, and how to pay staff during the ‘new normal’.

Unpaid pandemic leave

On 8 April 2020, the Fair Work Commission made determinations varying 99 awards, including the Horticulture Award.  The determinations inserted a temporary new schedule that provides employees with:

• 2 weeks of unpaid pandemic leave
• the ability to take twice as much annual leave at half their normal pay if their employer agrees.

The schedule in each award applies from an employee’s first full pay period on or after 8 April 2020. As of August 2021, the Horticulture Award end date has been extended to December 2021.

Read the full details here.

Temporary accommodation

If you’re seeking to temporarily accommodate more workers on your property, please see below businesses that have contacted Citrus Australia.

Please note:

1. Legislation regarding on-farm accommodation is different in every state.  Please contact your local government to ensure you are aware of legislation in your region prior to arranging temporary accommodation.
2. If any of your seasonal workers are diagnosed, and living in shared accommodation, the matter becomes a community responsibility, particularly in regional and rural towns.  Please ensure that you are aware of what assistance and services your local government is providing in terms of isolation accommodation for a COVID-19 outbreak.

Global Shelter Solutions

Global Shelter Solutions is an Australian based company that specialises in the manufacture of innovative, economical, quick to construct, flat packed, rigid walled shelter structures.  The benefits are that they are flat packed, quick to construct and can be packed down and reused as appropriate.  A range of floor plans can be developed.  Phone: 0411 352 908 or email: info@globalsunrise.com.au

Apollo Motorhomes

Apollo Motorhomes can provide quick and easy accommodation for lease or purchase.  See above brochure, or phone Scott Fahey on 0403 348 337, email s.fahey@apollotourism.com

RECRUITMENT

Help Harvest NSW

Help Harvest NSW is designed to connect displaced employees and seasonal workers with producers and growers around the state who have seasonal work available.  Producers can tag #HelpHarvestNSW to find workers​. Use the #tag when posting or sharing a job on Facebook and Twitter so seasonal workers can apply directly.

For more information, visit HelpHarvestNSW.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

POLICY

COVID-19 Management Plan

Organisations must develop a coronavirus (COVID-19) management plan if they require employees to:

• return to the Northern Territory (NT) to perform essential functions and
• be exempt from the 14-day supervised quarantine requirement.

This plan must detail what actions the organisation will implement to prevent the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) to the public.

The types of organisations that might apply for exemption on the grounds they are governed by a coronavirus (COVID-19) management plan include agricultural businesses.

Growers should email the following documents to doh.exempt@nt.gov.au:

• the organisation’s coronavirus (COVID-19) management plan
• a completed exemption application for each employee or class of employees governed under the plan.

Applications will be assessed and organisations will receive a letter from the Chief Health Officer via email advising if their coronavirus (COVID-19) management plan and application for exemption have been approved.

Citrus Australia advises growers to read the Guide to COVID-19 in the orchard & packing shed to compose a management plan.

QUEENSLAND

RECRUITMENT

Multicultural Australia

Multicultural Australia (MA) has over 100 additional people who are looking for seasonal work as of April 2021. QDAF are happy to make a connection between employers and MA to help place these people in horticulture. Call Citrus Australia to connect you with this.

Pick Queensland Campaign

In September, the Queensland Government launched their #pickqld campaign, which aims to attract and retain seasonal harvest workers.

Campaign messaging encourages audiences to explore seasonal work and unique adventure opportunities in Queensland.  The #pickqld website connects people with essential information around seasonal work, for employers looking for seasonal workers and a link to Queensland’s Good to go campaign, aimed at helping people plan their working holiday and adventure.

The campaign will use search engine optimisation (SEO) and social media advertising to target working-holiday makers, Queenslanders looking for employment, and university students on study breaks.

From June 2021, a #pickqld bonus has been on offer of $1,500. See here.

For more information, visit qld.gov.au/pickqld.

FarmReady Hub

FarmReady is a linking, advisory and training service – a ‘Hub’.  They list potential employers, services and products that a job seeker or farm worker may need.  Their focus is on legislation, safety, wellbeing, regional living, tourism, education, employment, accommodation, transport and social activities etc.

Details here.

POLICY

WorkCover Queensland

WorkCover Queensland are currently working with growers on adjusting insurance policies to assist with financial difficulties due to COVID-19.  Anyone suffering hardship should contact them to discuss their situation.  WorkCover can adjust forward estimates and provide additional time to make payments.  Phone: 1300 362 128

Department of Agriculture Farms Fishing and Forestry

New arrangements to keep agricultural workers and communities safe from COVID-19

As of 5 May 2020, the state of Queensland has enforced a Seasonal Worker Health Management Plan Direction for agribusiness and fisheries.

The framework consists of five key elements, including:

1. Stronger border protections
2. Mandatory health plans
3. General health obligation from employers and employees
4. Stronger compliance
5. Locally led solutions to address accommodation, transport and workforce supply issues

Access requirements, FAQ fact sheets and templates for employers and employees regarding transport, accommodation and work can all be found on the Business Queensland website here.

North Burnett Regional Council – labour requirements

In mid-2020, the Mayor of North Burnett Regional Council, Cr Rachel Chambers, sent two letters to growers residing within council boundaries.  If you are not receiving these letters, please contact her office to be added to the distribution list.  Phone 1300 696 272, or email admin@northburnett.qld.gov.au.

Backpacker letter from Mayor

COVID-19 small business letter from Mayor

Farm, Caravan Park, Hostel & Backpacker Accommodation Infection Control Awareness and Planning for Coronavirus

Wide Bay Public Health Unit – Hostel/Camp COVID-19 checklist template

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

RECRUITMENT

Regional Work South Australia

The State Government have provided a support package to help boost and fill seasonal and regional workforce vacancies across South Australia. The Regional Work SA website is a central hub for important information and links to key program elements, including:

• Federal Government Relocation Assistance program to help with the costs of travel and accommodation when relocating to take up short-term agricultural work.
• Regional Workforce Coordination and Collaboration delivered through Regional Development Australia Boards to support workers moving to regions across the state.

Growers are encouraged to explore the website to assist in:

• connecting with recruiters and job boards
• seeking information on support services and financial incentives available.

You should:

• Advertise your jobs on the promoted jobs board – Seek, Gumtree, Harvest Trail, MADEC and the Backpacker Job Board
• Use the hashtag #RegionalWorkSA when promoting vacancies on job boards and social media channels. This will be used by job seekers to easily filter vacancy information and connect with your advertisements on these sites.

If you have any questions about the program, please email regionalwork@sa.gov.au

VICTORIA

RECRUITMENT

The Working for Victoria online jobs platform connects workers with new job opportunities and access to online training.

Register your requirements for workers on the site and you will be contacted and assisted to post jobs on the Working for Victoria website and access the Working for Victoria talent pools.

For more information, read a fact sheet here, and contact Matt Farrow on matt.farrow@ecodev.vic.gov.au or 0472 864 023 if you have any questions.

Visit The Big Victorian Harvest for your one-stop shop of where to find workers, and what financial incentives are available for them to work for you. Use this information in your advertisements.

MADEC Harvest Office

Due to COVID restrictions the Department and management has ordered immediate office closure until restrictions have been eased. MADEC harvest office will continue to offer our services remotely.

Please contact the Mildura MADEC Harvest Office if you need workers before your season commences, so they can have a workforce ready for you.  Their service is FREE.

When COVID restrictions have eased MADEC’s farm safety induction process will continue, however, there will be a  limit to each group.  They can also do these remotely if preferred.

Office hours remain 8.30am – 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.  You can contact the office on 03 50221797, or reach out to Kerry-Lyn Robertson on 0427 507 984 or krobertson@madec.edu.au, who will be available after working hours when the need arises.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

RECRUITMENT

Pacific Mobility Scheme Facilitator

To assist you with queries and your application for the SWP or PLS, contact Kit Sainsbury, DPIRD, 0477 477 044, kit.sainsbury@dpird.wa.gov.au.