Monthly Archives: March 2019

Meet a Worker – James Thomas

James is 31 years of age, a plumber from Wales. He arrived in Australia in November 2018 and has had constant work since. His main reason for coming to Australia was to travel with his girlfriend. He had heard some bad stories about working as a backpacker in Australia but felt that these were just […]

Workers advised to choose licensed labour hire agents

Workers advised to choose licensed labour hire agents Backpackers and others planning to do seasonal farm work in Queensland and Victoria with a labour hire agent can protect themselves by checking that the agency they choose to work with is licensed.     A labour hire agency provides temporary staff to employers and pays them for […]

Protecting migrant workers focus of new report

Protecting migrant workers focus of new report The Federal Government has released a report listing 22 recommendations to better protect migrant workers, including those working in horticulture picking fruit. “The report contains recommendations that could have significant implications for the horticulture industry,” said Mr Rob Hayes, State Manager – Harvest Trail (Victoria), MADEC. After almost […]

Tread carefully when going onto farms

Tread carefully when going onto farms Visitors to Australia planning to work in regional and rural Australia doing seasonal work can help farmers keep their crops safe from nasty pests and diseases and need to learn how before getting a farm job. “Farmers appreciate workers who understand the importance of farm biosecurity – practices or […]

Prove you paid workers properly, or face court

Prove you paid workers properly, or face court Employers, including growers, who are accused of underpayment of their employees must disprove the claim or face prosecution and penalties, with the first case now before court.  Federal legislative changes in employment law mean that the reverse onus of proof now applies to breaches of the National […]

Pacific Labour Scheme gives growers more options

Pacific Labour Scheme gives growers more options Under a new scheme, horticultural growers can now employ people from Pacific island countries to work in agriculture in low and semi-skilled jobs for up to three years.   The Pacific Labour Scheme has been established to allow workers from Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu […]

Migrant worker report has implications for growers

Migrant worker report has implications for growers The Federal Government has released a report on migrant workers, including those in horticulture, that recommends a national labour hire registration scheme and stronger enforcement against employers who don’t pay their staff properly. “The report contains recommendations that could have significant implications for the horticulture industry,” said Mr […]

Growers called to respond to labour hire licensing updates

Growers called to respond to labour hire licensing updates MADEC is reminding growers that they need to be prepared for labour hire licensing in Queensland and Victoria as seasonal harvest work for autumn crops ramp up.   Labour hire licensing has been operating in Queensland since July 2018 and will be introduced in Victoria in […]