Avocados Australia will update this blog to keep members up-to-date with the latest industry activity as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. You can find a curated list of links and resources in your Member Area, organised by state. You will find national resources in this public article, and the latest news on the Australian News and International News pages.
Please note: this newsfeed is offered for information only. Always consult the relevant authorities in your region for specific advice/direction.
WE ARE CHANGING FROM DAILY TO SEMI-REGULAR UPDATES ON THIS BLOG
Handy highlights:
Victoria border bubble changes (2 September)
Victoria is reducing its border bubble with NSW, which means instead of a cross-border permit, those in the six named LGAs will need a specified worker permit AND an Authorised worker permit instead.
As per the Victorian Government update: Six Victorian local government areas including Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, City of Benalla, Buloke, Loddon, Yarriambiack and two NSW LGAs – Broken Hill and Edward River – will no longer be included as a cross border community. This means residents in those LGAs will no longer be eligible for a Cross-border Extreme Risk Zone permit to enter Victoria or return from NSW.
Once updated, more details should be here.
NSW allows carpooling for seasonal workers (1 September 2021)
An exemption has been granted under Clause 7.2 of the Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak) Order (No 2) 2021 which enables the carpooling of workers in regional NSW where the employer has made arrangements to transport staff to and from a workplace and the workers place of residence.
The exemption applies to workers who:
- Reside in a regional NSW area
- Have not been in Greater Sydney in the previous 14 days
- Have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or are booked to have at least their first dose as soon as possible and not later than 10 September 2021
- Travel in a vehicle arranged by an employer to transport staff to and from a workplace and the workers residence
Read the full notice INCLUDING THE RULES from DPI NSW here.
Victoria/South Australia border (31 August 2021)
South Australia’s Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel – Associated Direction No 46) (COVID-19) Direction 2021 came into effect at 2.39pm on Monday 30 August 2021.
Key changes include:
- Cross Border Community Members who usually reside in the Victorian Cross Border Corridor are not required to have a COVID-19 vaccination by 24 September 2021.
All other Essential Travellers will be required to have at least one TGA-approved vaccination by this date. Other existing requirements remain.
All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations.
If you require further information you can call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 9am to 5pm 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19.
Queensland: changes for seasonal workers (26 August
2021)
QDAF advises the Seasonal Workers International Quarantine Plans and Checklist Direction has been released (replacing the Direction issued last November). The new Direction requires the use the COVID Safe Checklist and the Check In Qld App for agribusinesses that employ seasonal workers. Additional information will be prepared by the department in coming days.
While the Direction has been released, the requirements don’t become mandatory until 1am on September 3. Until then, you need to continue with registering the attendance of employers etc, and operate under your existing Health Management Plan.
The new Direction sets out requirements for both PLS/SWP workers AND those who operate a seasonal worker business.
And a seasonal worker business is: an agribusiness that employs seasonal workers or PLS/SWP workers; or a commercial fisheries business that employs seasonal workers or PLS/SWP workers; or a labour hire firm that employs seasonal workers or PLS/SWP workers; or an accommodation facility that houses or is available to house seasonal workers or PLS/SWP workers.
Victoria: authorised worker permits (24 August 2021)
Agriculture Victoria advises even those who live and work on a farm to fill out and carry (paper/electronic) the authorised worker permits, especially if you use a public road to go from block to block. If self-employed, you can sign the form as both employer and employee.
Border crossing – Queensland/New South Wales (15 August 2021)
Although Queensland’s new border direction doesn’t list farmers or agribusiness workers as essential work, all exemptions previously provided for freight and logistics operators and for farmers and agribusiness workers still apply.
This includes the current class exemption letter, the Queensland Freight Protocol and any endorsement letter received as part of a specialist worker exemption.
If you meet the criteria of these provisions, you can cross the border.
Be sure you carry the necessary documentation, such as evidence of a negative test within the last 7 days, and your Quarantine Management Plan. If you have been to an interstate exposure site or are a close contact of someone who has, then the class exemption cannot be used, nor will endorsements for specialist and essential workers apply.
If you require further information, please contact DAF by email: info@daf.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
NOTE: Things are tightening up on this border on Friday. Updates will be provided.
From the ABC daily COVID blog on August 17:
Can I cross if I’m an agricultural worker?
There has been confusion about whether people can cross the border if they have to do things, such as tending to livestock or crops. Queensland Health said agriculture was considered essential and was permitted to operate. However, it has encouraged everyone to not operate unless absolutely necessary.
Agribusiness workers and the border
Click here to see the “ready reckoner” for agribusiness workers entering Queensland. PLEASE NOTE: Avocados Australia received this link on 10/8/2021 and it may be superseded. CLICK THE LINKS IN THE DOCUMENT TO CHECK or visit this webpage to check for the latest link.
The PDF (link above) includes information on permits, record keeping etc and provides information for the most common scenarios: farmers and workers moving only between Queensland and NSW in the border zone, freight & logistics operators, specialist workers, and other essential workers.
Fair Work updates its vaccination advice (13 August 2021)
On 13 August, 2021, the Fair Work Ombudsman updated its advice on COVID-19 vaccinations, workplace rights and obligations. Read the full article here. To summarise: In some cases, employers may be able to require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Employers should exercise caution if they’re considering making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory in their workplace and get their own legal advice. Employers and employees are encouraged to work together to find solutions that suit their individual needs and workplaces. A collaborative approach in the workplace that includes discussing, planning and facilitating COVID-19 vaccinations is an important part of Australia’s vaccine rollout, because having a vaccine is one of the best ways to protect ourselves and our community against COVID-19.
Please read the full article from Fair Work (link above).
This information has been added to Staying safe in the orchard or packshed.
Handy border summary from NSW DPI (28 July 2021)
The NSW DPI has collated information for those int eh state with regard to the various borders (Queensland, Victoria and South Australia).
Read it here.
Queensland – ag border exemptions – (26 July 2021, UPDATED)
Over the weekend, there were some updates on the class exemptions for farmers and agribusiness workers moving across the Queensland/New South Wales border.
KEEP IN MIND – this exemption is different to the X Pass. The X Pass is for border residents travelling back in forward for work.
Good news: there is an exemption. To quote the communique: The class exemption is only for movement associated with performing essential agribusiness services for the agriculture supply chain or farming activities, including the care of livestock.
Read the full documents:
Bad news: it doesn’t apply to everyone, and there will be a testing requirement from 30 July
- Anyone who has been to the Greater Sydney hotspot in the last 14 days will need to apply for an exemption as a specialist worker.
- To quote the explanatory notes provided by the Chief Health Officer to the Queensland DAF Director-General: This approval does not apply to workers involved in picking, packing, sorting, and meat processing, and does not permit farmers and agribusiness workers to enter Queensland for any other purpose as per the Border restrictions Direction (No. 29).
- From 30 July anyone entering via this exemption will need to have evidence of a negative COVID-19 test results within 7 days of entering Queensland, and maintain a rolling 7-day testing cycle. If securing a test is difficult in the rural area, contact DAF (details just below).
Also, if the exemption applies to you, make sure you also have the Queensland Border Declaration Pass, and when you get to the border, make sure you are carrying evidence of your identity and place of residence, evidence of employment (there’s a template in our guide here you can fill out for employees), and a copy of the class exemption.
You are also going to need a Quarantine Management Plan which includes mandatory mask wearing, use of the Check In app where possible, and keeping records of movement by the applicant which can be provided if requested by a Queensland Government representative. You can find the template here.
KEEP IN MIND – this exemption is different to the X Pass. The X Pass is for border residents travelling back in forward for work.
If you require further information, please contact DAF by email: info@daf.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
South Australia: updated guidelines and beekeeper news (23 July 2021)
Bit of news of out South Australia this week, aside from COVID lockdowns of course.
Food South Australia COVID-19 updated Guidelines for Industry
Food South Australia, in conjunction with PIRSA and SA Health have updated the COVID-19 and your Workplace guidelines to provide general guidance to assist food and beverage businesses to plan for and mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19 to their employees, their business and their supply chain. Please visit the Food South Australia website to download a copy of the latest guidelines here.
Important information for the Apiary Industry
SAPOL has advised that all apiarists needing to travel into or out of South Australia should apply for a Cross Border Travel Permit here: https://www.police.sa.gov.au/online-services/cross-border-travel-application. Apiarists need to apply for the Commercial Transport and Freight Services exemption when applying for a travel permit. This exemption will allow for the critical transport of bee hives into and out of South Australia, and for the regular travel associated with moving, collecting, and attending to hives. Apiarists will need to provide supporting documentation regarding their requirement to transport, collect, and attend to hives and the locations they will visit in their travel. Once approved, apiarists are asked to carry all relevant documents, including approved travel permits with them at all times when travelling, to ensure quick and efficient passage through the border checkpoints throughout South Australia.
“Essential worker” update for South Australia (22 July 2021)
South Australia has also updated its “essential worker” definition, with primary industry activities limited to “time critical tasks”. While this would still seem to include most orchard and packshed activities, be aware that local enforcement officers may have varying definitions.
Looks like panic buying includes avos this time around. Good news! (25 June 2021)
Queensland – regional quarantine looking likely (5 March 2021)
On Wednesday, Queensland Ag Minister Mark Furner announced the government was continuing and expanding quarantine arrangements for the Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Workers Programme. The Government also announced its support for quarantine of workers at industry-led regional quarantine facilities, subject to the Chief Health Officer’s approval of the arrangements.
Following the successful trial of on-farm quarantine conducted over the past few months, on-farm quarantine will continue as the government’s preferred method of quarantine for workers from low COVID-19 risk Pacific nations. Hotel quarantine of workers will also continue to be permitted from time to time when there is capacity.
In addition, the Government has announced its support for quarantine of workers at industry-led regional quarantine facilities, subject to the Chief Health Officer’s approval of the arrangements. Like on-farm quarantine, regional quarantine facilities will be industry funded and operated, and be required to adhere to very strict quarantine protocols approved by the Queensland Chief Health Officer, including for associated transport, welfare support and medevac arrangements to an appropriate health facility if required. Unlike on-farm quarantine, workers will not be permitted to leave the quarantine facility to work on-farm but rather will undertake other activities such as training and induction courses to ensure they are work-ready when quarantine is complete.
The Queensland Government is currently developing industry-led regional quarantine facility guidelines for Chief Health Officer approval. Until these are approved, DAF cannot formally assess applications for regional facilities. However, potential operators of a regional facility are encouraged to engage with DAF so their proposals can be as mature as possible by the time arrangements are approved by the Chief Health Officer.
Vaccinations – can you require them? (22 February 2021)
In short, no. We’ve added links to the Fair Work Ombudsman guidance to the staying safe in the orchard and packshed article, but here are the key notes on vaccination:
In the current circumstances, the overwhelming majority of employers should assume that they won’t be able to require their employees to be vaccinated against coronavirus. There are currently no laws or public health orders in Australia that specifically enable employers to require their employees to be vaccinated against coronavirus. The Australian Government’s policy is that receiving a vaccination is voluntary, although it aims to have as many Australians vaccinated as possible.
- Click here to access information and guidance from the Fair Work Ombudsman on common questions about vaccinations and employees.
- Click here for the Australian Government’s roll out strategy.
Greater Brisbane lockdown ending (11 Jan 2021)
Residents will have to continue wearing masks, but the lockdown will end on schedule at 6pm today.
Victoria’s traffic light system (11 Jan 2021)
Victoria will reopen to people from regional NSW, with the government introducing a new “traffic light” system for interstate travel.
The permit system, which designates regions in other parts of Australia as green, orange or red depending on coronavirus risk, will go live from 6pm on Monday (today).
Read more from SBS, and the official Victorian Government page here.
Those living in our border communities will continue to be part of the ‘border bubble’ – using their driver’s license to prove their residential address. If you live in one of the border communities you do not need to apply for a permit, unless you’ve been in an orange or red zone in the last 14 days. More information on border communities.
If you have been in a red zone in the last 14 days, you may require an exemption to enter Victoria. Exemptions are limited and only granted in special cases. The Department of Health and Human Services will assess your application and respond. You can apply online for an exemption.
It looks like there are some ag reasons for exemptions, but the examples provided were for livestock care.
And we’re back for 2021…
It would have been nice to retire this update page, but here we are!
Let’s start with getting in and out of Victoria from New South Wales. Primary producers/staff can apply to enter Victoria from NSW via border permit, click here for details or call 136 186. Note, if you are in a border town, you may not need a permit, conditions apply though.
Read the NSW DPI update on the subject here.
South Australia’s worker incentives (4 December 2020)
The state government is investing $4.45 million to assist the urgent mobilisation of a seasonal and regional workforce in South Australia in response to the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
- Incentives of up to $2,000 for students moving to regions to take up regional jobs
- Support for businesses bringing in workers as part of the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme
Read the release here, more on the student support here.
South Australia’s “circuit break” (19 November)
On a COVID catchup this morning, PIRSA rep Cameron May provided an update for agriculture but was upfront that he would not have all the answers. For example, he is seeking specific advice on picking/packing (including specifics for seasonal workers) but as it stands, he assumes pickers and packers (including seasonal workers) will be considered essential, as part of food supply.
Click here for the official page (which doesn’t list ag in the first few essentials list, you have to keep scrolling). It says:
Who is deemed an Essential Worker?
Essential worker means a person who performs work that is essential for the continued operation of any of the following:
- a supermarket, butcher, fruit and vegetable store or fishmonger (but not an indoor or outdoor market)
- production and distribution of food and groceries for sale by a supermarket, butcher, fruit and vegetable store or fishmonger (but not an indoor or outdoor market), other than production at a red meat abattoir; and liquor for sale at premises commonly known as a bottle shop; and medical and pharmaceutical products
- primary industries only to the extent necessary to ensure adequate supply of food and care of crops and animals.
I am an Essential Worker. Will I have to show ID if Police stop me?
- Please ensure you have identification on you and where possible evidence to prove your workplace/occupation. This could include but is not limited to workplace id, uniform etc.
Based on experience in other states, we recommend you provide your workers with some paperwork to prove they are on their way to undertake agricultural work. We have templates that can be downloaded here: https://avocado.org.au/public-articles/orchard-packshed-covid19/
Also, after this 6-day “circuit breaker”, it appears there will be another 8-day period of restrictions but what those restrictions will depend entirely on the situation at the end of the first 6-day period.
SA still has no requirement for a COVIDsafe plan for agriculture, just encouraging COVIDsafe practices (spacing, no mixing staff across workplaces etc). We have tips here https://avocado.org.au/public-articles/orchard-packshed-covid19/ and templates from other states are here https://avocado.org.au/public-articles/covid-19-workplace-examples/.
Other links of use:
https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/stay-at-home
https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations/stay-at-home
https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/response
Planning travel to South Australia or just back? (17 November)
The ABC has a summary of the new restrictions, click here.
Click the links for official state websites or comms re South Australia: Queensland (only Adelaide is a hotspot), NSW, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria, Tasmania.
PLEASE NOTE: as this is an evolving situation, always seek the most up-to-date advice from your state.
Changes to Queensland gives better access for seasonal workers (9 November)
New South Wales residents or visitors, including seasonal workers and backpackers, who are residing in rural NSW and have not been in a current COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days are able to travel and work anywhere in Queensland and stay for as many nights as they like. They must still complete an electronic border pass before travelling.
Seasonal workers and backpackers can’t enter Queensland from a hotspot without applying for an essential worker application. They may be asked at the border for evidence (like accommodation and fuel receipts, payslips) to demonstrate that they have not been in a current COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days. Without enough evidence they will not be able to cross the border.
Read the full QDAF newsletter here.
Victoria eases seasonal worker restrictions (9 November)
There are two important changes to the seasonal workforce testing requirements effective from 11:59pm Sunday 8 November 2020.
- The requirement for seasonal workers relocating from Melbourne to regional Victoria to have a COVID negative test has been removed.
- The surveillance testing program remains in place and is applicable to all farms in Victoria. DHHS has advised this means an employer undertaking seasonal horticulture work must allow (and keep records of) DHHS to carry out COVID-19 surveillance testing on its seasonal workers for at the seasonal Work Premises if requested. The focus for surveillance testing, at this current time, remains on farms in and around Melbourne.
All other requirements for seasonal horticulture (fruit and vegetable) remain in place including the need for a Seasonal Horticulture Worker COVIDSafe plan, use of worker bubbles and other COVID safe practices, increased record keeping, and a COVIDSafe plan for accommodation and transportation where it is within the responsibility of the employer or labour hire provider.
The latest Additional Directions can be found here: Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations Directions) (No 11)
NSW will open Victorian border on 23 November
Read more from the ABC,
Queensland SWP trial update (4 November 2020)
We heard this morning in the Queensland Hort Council briefing that Queensland’s Seasonal Worker Program trial allowing on-farm quarantine (and work during the quarantine period) is so far going well in Central Queensland.
From our attendance at departmental COVID-19 briefings in other states, we know that various ag departments are carefully watching Queensland with the hopes of encouraging their health departments to allow a similar approach.
Some of the key items highlighted by Queensland Government reps on the call (DAF and WHSQ) as working well included:
- having a local supervisor/s quarantining with the SWP workers for the period
- taking additional steps when the SWP workers are receiving instruction from those outside the “quarantine bubble” such as wearing PPE and standing more than 1.5m away.
Latest updates to Queensland border restrictions (3 November 2020)
From 1am Tuesday 3 November 2020, the Queensland border zone has been removed.
New South Wales residents or visitors that have not been in a current COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days are able to travel anywhere in Queensland and stay for as many nights as they like. They must still complete an electronic border pass before travelling. There are 32 greater Sydney Local Government Areas listed as COVID-19 hotspots and all of Victoria is still considered a hotspot.
The class exemption that commenced on 22 August 2020 for farmers and agribusiness workers needing to move between Queensland and New South Wales hotspots to perform essential agribusiness services or farming activities has been extended until 11.59 pm on 31 December 2020.
To enter Queensland under a class exemption, you will need:
- A copy of the Chief Health Officer’s class exemption letter dated 13 October 2020 (PDF, 162KB).
- Evidence of your identity, confirming your place of residence.
- Evidence you are an agribusiness essential worker (e.g. letter of employment, business contract, evidence of property ownership or lease, evidence of agistment arrangements).
Farmers and agribusiness workers may also need to complete a written Border Declaration Pass at the border before entering Queensland.
Read more about the border restrictions.
Queensland/New South Wales class exemptions (29 October)
A class exemption for farmers and agribusiness workers needing to move between Queensland and New South Wales to perform essential agribusiness services or farming activities (such as tending to livestock or crops) has been extended until 11.59pm on 31 December 2020 under the border restrictions (No. 15 here and the incoming No. 16 here).
The class exemption does not apply to workers involved in picking, packing, sorting and meat processing, or workers from Victoria. These workers can apply to Queensland Health to enter as an essential or specialist worker.
Find out more here.
Victorian seasonal worker template out how (26 October)
Growers using seasonal workers in Victoria have until 2 November to complete the now-available seasonal worker COVIDSafe plan.
If you employ seasonal workers, and your business has an existing COVIDSafe Plan, you must review this plan and update it to include additional requirements that relate to seasonal horticultural workers.
WA to join Seasonal Worker & Pacific Worker programs (16 October)
After initially indicating a preference for local labour only, the Western Australian Government yesterday announced wit will work with industry to allow Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme workers into the state, subject to strict conditions.
Read the release.
Just when things got a bit calmer … (15 October)
The latest workplace directions (No. 8) from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer includes new requirements for those using seasonal workers. Horticultural workplaces will need to lodge a special seasonal worker plan (template still coming, we’ll provide a link when we can), and other requirements will include the provision of masks, various workplace management activities and recordkeeping. AgVic is working on FAQs. Remember, if your business is operating in Victoria, you must also have a COVIDSafe Plan. Find the template here.
With new cases in Shepparton, the Victorian Government has released a list of places and times and testing/quarantine requirements. Those who were at high-risk Shepparton locations need to be tested and quarantine. Those at locations where casual contact may have occurred need to be tested and quarantine while they wait for the results (and after if positive). Read the latest.
If you have a permit for travel from Victoria into NSW, you should already have received a notice to monitor for symptoms and/or get tested in NSW. Consider not heading home to Victoria until NSW decides if border restrictions can stay as they are.
In some better news for Victorians, those needing to access education/employment/health/care services across the South Australian border, the bubble is now 70km. Ag workers still need to apply for an essential services permit and this should be done early as there is an assessment backlog. PIRSA is helping where it can, including getting denied permits/plans re-assessed.
NSW and Queensland border news (24 September)
NSW has signed up for the federal ag worker code, and as such will have a new ag worker permit in place from tomorrow. Read the NSW DPI notice here; includes categories, application process and more. A note on this permit: NSW border police are going to be carefully checking documentation to ensure those using the ag permit are indeed ag workers. Always carry as much supporting documentation/paperwork as you can.
And Queensland is making some fairly significant changes to its border with NSW. Read the Queensland Health notice here.
Queensland extends ag class exemptions (21 September)
On Saturday, the Chief Health Officer issued a letter advising that the class exemption for farmers and agribusiness workers will be extended for one month from 21 September 2020. Information about the extended exemption is available on the Business Queensland website.
Remember, you cannot apply for this exemption online. Instead, bring all your paperwork (the letter from the CHO explaining the class exemption, and anything that supports your reason for entering Queensland, use the link above for details) to the Queensland border and the border staff should fill out a permit for you on-site. If you encounter issues, please let us know so we can pass this through the Queensland agriculture COVID working group. There have been instances where new border staff have not been familiar with the process.
Read the QDAF notice here.
Queensland launches #pickqld campaign (17 September)
The Queensland Government is the latest to launch a campaign to encourage domestic labour into agriculture. Read more here.
NSW permit extensions (15 September)
NSW’s latest public health order extends the critical service (agriculture) class of permit to allow:
- NSW residents to re-enter NSW after travelling 100km into Victoria (other than in a restricted area or COVID-19 area of concern) to provide certain critical agriculture services, without having to fly to Sydney and enter mandatory quarantine as a returning NSW resident.
- Victorians to move within Victoria (other than in a restricted area or COVID-19 area of concern) and remain eligible to travel up to 100km into NSW to provide critical agriculture services.
Read the full details in the NSW DPI bulletin here.
WA: government launches worker incentive program (9 September)
The Primary Industries Workers Regional Travel and Accommodation Support Scheme will assist agriculture, fisheries and food processing businesses in regional areas experiencing labour shortages as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the scheme, eligible workers who move to the regions will be able to claim up to $40 a night in accommodation rebates for up to 12 weeks – up to a maximum total rebate of $3,360.
A travel allowance will also be made available to those relocating more than 100 kilometres from their usual place of residence.
Workers will be able to claim $150 for travel to the Peel, South-West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt, Mid-West or Goldfields-Esperance regions, $350 for travel to the Gascoyne or Pilbara, and $500 for travel to the Kimberley for agricultural work.
Click here for more.
Victoria: COVID plans will be mandatory (8 September)
Remember that back and forward we had on August 6 and 13, about whether regional businesses (including orchards) needed a COVID Safe Plan? Well, under the new Victorian roadmap, it will be mandatory for all businesses statewide operating onsite to have a COVID Safe Plan, as of 13 September. This is a change from the current requirements for many businesses in regional Victoria who are currently only advised (not required) to have a COVID Safe Plan. Businesses with fewer than five employees are exempt from this requirement.
Again, if you have more than 5 employees and you are operating onsite, you need a plan, as of 13 September.
More information on COVID Safe Plans is available via Business Victoria – https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/covid-safe-business/covid-safe-plan.
All the details of the NSW/VIC border changes (3 September)
Click here for a summary (with links) from NSW DPI outlining all of the changes to come into place from tomorrow along the Victorian border. This includes border permits and critical ag worker permits.
Seasonal workers land in NT (3 September)
162 seasonal workers are today at the Howard Springs Quarantine facility undergoing mandatory quarantine. The trial will be welcome news for mango producers, who have been lobbying hard for access to Pacific or Timorese labour to help address a looming labour shortage of between 800 and 1,000 workers, and for Vanuatu which, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, was the largest supplier of Seasonal Workers Program (SWP) workers to Australia. You can read more about this trial (which will hopefully be replicated in other states), from NT Farmers CEO Paul Burke in their latest newsletter (PDF link).
Queensland’s new ag exemptions (24 August)
Exemptions to border restrictions now include Queensland and New South Wales farmers and agribusiness workers who need to:
- perform essential agribusiness services for the agriculture supply chain
- conduct farming activities
- provide timely veterinary services
- provide care for livestock.
This new class exemption, approved by the Chief Health Officer, is available for one month. More details can be found at Business Queensland. Read the QDAF notice here.
NSW sets up new jobs hub (24 August)
The NSW Government is today launching Help Harvest NSW. Help Harvest NSW is a webportal designed to connect displaced employees and seasonal workers with producers and growers around the state who have seasonal work available. Read the NSW DPI notice here.
NSW/VIC border: you’ll need a COVID safe plan (21 August)
Don’t forget, if you plan to apply for the new critical services (agriculture) permit to travel from Victoria to New South Wales (within 100km, and border zones only), you will need to complete the NEW COVID safe plan. Details here.
More on the NSW/Victoria ag permit (19 August)
Read more about the differences between the new Critical Services (Agriculture) permit and the general Critical Services permit in this update from NSW DPI. (There’s more in our 18 August update too.)
The border region is anything with these postcodes (as at 19/8/2020):
• NSW postcodes: 2550, 2551, 2625, 2627, 2628, 2632, 2633, 2640, 2641, 2642, 2643, 2644, 2646, 2647, 2648, 2653, 2659, 2710, 2711, 2712, 2713, 2714, 2715, 2717, 2731, 2732, 2733, 2734, 2735, 2736, 2737, 2738, 2739, 2879
• Victorian postcodes:
3490, 3494,3496, 3498, 3500, 3501, 3502, 3505, 3549, 3562, 3564, 3566, 3565, 3567, 3568, 3579, 3580, 3581, 3583, 3584, 3585, 3586, 3588, 3589, 3590, 3591, 3594, 3595, 3596, 3597, 3599, 3621, 3622, 3637, 3638, 3639, 3640, 3641, 3644, 3649, 3682, 3683, 3685, 3687, 3688, 3690, 3691, 3700, 3701, 3704, 3705, 3707, 3708, 3709, 3728, 3730, 3885, 3888, 3889, 3890, 3891, 3892, 3900.
Border changes VIC, NSW & SA (18 August)
First up, for Victorians: still no change to the latest advice re COVID Safe Plans. If you are in Stage 3, plans are recommended not required. Just wanted to repeat that, given the back and forward there’s been on that. What’s new, are border changes.
Today, The Land reports (click here for article) that certain ag services have been deemed critical, for those within 100km of the NSW/Victorian border (on the NSW side). There are further exemptions for those who need to go further into NSW from Victoria, but this is on a case-by-case basis.
Among the changes that came into play at noon today, there is now a Highly Specialised Critical Services (Agriculture) Permit. For horticulture, The Land reports this includes technicians, machinery operators and mechanics, harvesters, pruners, consultants for agronomy, plant health, harvest management, pest and disease. Permits are via Services NSW. Holders of this permit will be able to cross from Victoria into NSW without quarantining in Sydney.
On the South Australian/Victorian border, the news isn’t so positive. From 12:01am Friday 21 August 2020, Cross Border Community members who ordinarily reside in South Australia at, or near, a South Australian border will not be able to enter South Australia from Victoria unless they can apply under a different category of Essential Traveller. The SA government has recently published further FAQs, cheat sheets and fact sheets on the SA border restrictions. The full border Directive 11 is located here. The Essential Traveller categories are in Schedule 1, which starts on Page 8.
Victoria – things have changed, again (13 August)
Well, it’s been another week of COVID-19, and another change to the COVID Safe Plan requirements for regional businesses.
Here’s the latest from Agriculture Victoria:
For businesses (excluding abattoirs, meat, seafood and poultry processors) operating in regional Victoria a COVID Safe Plan is now advised, but not mandatory.
For permitted businesses operating in metro-Melbourne, a COVID Safe Plan remains mandatory.
This change is documented in the updated Workplace Directions (No 2). This Directions notice also details obligations on employers. All Directions notices are available here https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19 (scroll to the bottom of the page).
More information on COVID Safe Plans is available via Business Victoria – https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/covid-safe-business/covid-safe-plan.
Update for Victoria – you MUST HAVE a COVID Safe Plan (6 August)
Earlier this week, we sent a Member Notice encouraging all avocado industry businesses to complete a Victorian COVID Safe Plan, even if outside of the Stage 4 area.
The advice from Agriculture Victoria and associated departments has now changed: all businesses in Victoria that remain open MUST HAVE A COVID SAFE PLAN.
The only exemption we are currently aware of is for businesses with less than five employees, although there is no clarity if this is direct employees, or includes those on-site via labour hire services. Given the fines for not having a plan can be up to $20,000, we recommend preparing a plan, regardless of how many direct employees you have.
- Read more here (ignore the fact this Business Victoria page mentions Stage 4 area businesses, we are assured the intent is for all businesses that are operating in Victoria to have a plan, as per the now released, official health directive), further FAQs here and more on Stage 4 and agriculture is available here.
- Click here to find the template for both the plan and a workplace attendee register
- And don’t forget the permits your workers will need if they are travelling in the Stage 4 area, or between Stage 3 and 4 areas. The advice from Agriculture Victoria is that even workers travelling through the Stage 4 area (not stopping) should have a permit and associated documentation.
And there’s a deadline: All businesses with more than five (5) employees operating in Victorian are required to have a COVID Safe Plan by 11:59pm, 7 August. As per the Plan Guidance document, you do not have to lodge your COVID Safe Plan with the Victorian Government. However, you may be required to provide the COVID Safe Plan to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or Worksafe upon request or in the event of a confirmed positive case at your workplace. There will be random business spot checks for COVID Safe Plans.
You can read our previous notice here (additional information on masks, retail restrictions etc), but please note the above update on COVID Safe Plans. The advice has changed since Tuesday.
Queensland closing borders to NSW (5 August)
Queensland will shut its borders to NSW and ACT at 1am on Saturday. You can read more here, from the ABC.
No details yet about essential workers/seasonal workers but surely the existing border permit system will be in use. Make sure you have your Health Management Plan in place, and provide staff/new employees crossing the border with supporting documentation. You can find links here, and here.
Update for our Victorian members (4 August)
Click here to read our Member Notice about what the Stage 4 (metro) and Stage 3 (regional) restrictions mean. NOTE: some of the advice has changed since the release of the official health directive – all businesses that continue to operate must have a COVID Safe Plan. Read our 6 August Member Notice here.
Victoria’s new restrictions (3 August)
The business restrictions have been announced as part of the move in Victoria to Stage 4 restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne, and Stage 3 for regional Victoria (including the Mitchell Shire).
So, when the business restrictions come in at midnight on Wednesday, 5 August, what will it mean for avos?
Stage 4 & Stage 3
Click here for a Word doc version of the Stage 4 restrictions for businesses. (If that link goes awry, you can find it here, in this statement from the Victorian Premier.)
Click here for links to the restrictions for Stages 3 and 4. Please note, the DHHS site identifies these restrictions as they currently stand, not the changes that will come into place on 5 August.
A basic summary is: in regional Victoria, if you can stay home, you should, and in metropolitan Melbourne, there are a very restricted set of circumstances that will allow you to leave the house.
Retail
In metropolitan Melbourne, supermarkets, grocery stores (local fruit & veg, butchers, bakers etc), the bottle-o, petrol stations, banks, pharmacies, post offices, newsagents and anything to do with frontline responses will stay open. Closing will be some admin, some manufacturing, some retail. Industries like construction will be scaled back.
Retail stores will be permitted to operate contactless ‘click and collect’ and delivery services with strict safety protocols in place, and hardware stores can remain open onsite, but for tradespeople only.
What this means for avocados: during earlier work from home periods across the country, there was a reduction in demand for fruit and vegetables with a shorter shelf life, as shoppers stocked up on potatoes etc. Given this is not our first experience with lockdown, the impact may not be as great, as long as people trust the supply chains.
Food service/dining
Again, in metropolitan Melbourne (the Stage 4 area) closing will be most accommodation, and all pubs, taverns, bars, clubs, nightclubs and food courts. Cafes etc will be able to do takeaway and food deliveries.
Staying open will be other essential services such as roadhouses, to comply with national heavy vehicle regulations.
In Stage 3 areas (regional Victoria), restaurants and cafes can only offer delivery and takeaway.
What this means for avos: Expect something similar to earlier shutdowns. Demand from food service will dramatically decrease.
COVID safe plans
This advice updated on 6/8/2020. Please refer to our entry for 6 August.
Masks
This is previous advice, provided by DHHS in relation to Mitchell Shire before today’s announcement. Now Mitchell and all regional will be Stage 3, the advice should stand for the entire non-metropolitan area: DHHS has advised that farmers doing strenuous manual labour in fields by themselves would not need to wear a mask while undertaking this work, but will need to wear one at all other times while out of home for the four reasons (unless otherwise exempt) and will need to carry one at all times.
Travel in an out of metro Melbourne
If you are in a permitted industry, you can travel from metropolitan Melbourne to regional areas for work. If you are sick, stay home, get tested. Do not travel into regional Victoria if you have any symptoms. Permits are required.
Financial assistance
For those businesses that suffer significant losses or need to close as a result of the current restrictions, support will be provided through the expanded Victorian Business Support Fund.
Businesses in regional Victoria can apply for a $5,000 grant while those in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire can apply for up to $10,000 in recognition of spending longer under restrictions.
And for those businesses and industries that fall into grey areas when it comes to their operation, the dedicated Industry Coordination Centre within the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions will consider their case.
Seasonal workers added to NSW permit system (31 July)
From today (Friday, 31 July), seasonal workers who have resided in the defined New South Wales and Victoria border zone, which includes towns such as Mildura, will be able to cross the border daily to undertake farm work in NSW by accessing a border zone resident permit.
In order to access the permit, seasonal workers will be required to declare they have not travelled in Victoria, outside the border zone, in the last 14 days. They will also be required to produce evidence of their place of residence and place of work.
- Click here for NSW border address check
- Click here for the border permit application
- Click here for information from NSW DPI
- Click here for the Avocados Australia Staying safe in the orchard and packshed article, where you can download templates for proof-of-employment purposes.
Restrictions on seasonal workers accessing the permit for “critical services” will still apply, and seasonal workers who have been residing and working outside the border zone are still prohibited from entering NSW from Victoria under the current NSW border restrictions with Victoria.
This change was secured by Citrus Australia working closely with NSW DPI.
You can also read this in our 31 July Member Notice.
Masks going regional in Victoria (30 July)
From Sunday (2 August), a face covering will be mandatory for all Victorians whenever they leave home. You can read more here from the Victorian Government.
There are mask FAQs for Victoria below as part of our 23 July update.
South Australia’s border getting harder to cross (27 July)
As of midnight on Tuesday 28 July 2020, South Australians in Victoria will no longer be able to return to their residence and quarantine, unless they are deemed an essential traveller. Essential travellers living in cross border communities will be able to continue moving between the states.
Any South Australians, who do not have an essential traveller status on Wednesday 29 and want to re-enter the state after being in Victoria, will be turned away at the border, including those arriving at Adelaide Airport.
You can view the South Australia Police release here.
Anyone travelling into South Australia needs to complete the online cross border pre-approval form at least 72 hours prior to arrival. This includes Essential Travellers. SAPOL has published a guide outlining examples of evidence Essential Travellers should submit as part of their online application.
South Australia’s travel restriction information can be found here.
Masks in Victoria (24 July)
The Victorian health department has advised that farmers doing strenuous manual labour in fields by themselves (in Melbourne and Mitchell shire) would not need to wear a mask while undertaking this work but will need to wear one at all other times while out of home for the four reasons (unless otherwise exempt) and will need to carry one at all times. See links to mask information in our 23 July update.
NSW/VIC border updates (23 July)
NSW DPI and Agriculture Victoria are continuing to work with their relevant health authorities to ease the border frictions for agriculture. At today’s Agriculture Victoria COVID-19 update, NSW DPI sounded tentatively optimistic that there may soon be a mechanism in place to allow the movement of seasonal workers, where growing areas straddle the border.
For our Victorian members, we are about to update your specific page with further information re masks etc. Click here.
NSW/VIC border headaches (21 July)
Agriculture Victoria and NSW DPI are attempting to work through new border closures that have closed access to seasonal workers.
Today (21 July) NSW will bring in border closes that include blocking access to seasonal workers from Victoria. However, there are allowances for critical service workers (including ag consultants).
Read the NSW DPI notice by clicking here.
Border/COVID management plan updates (10 July)
Because of the situation in Victoria, we have updated our public article here. In this article you will find links to workplace plan requirements, and border closures, as often the two are linked.
Airfreight assistance extended (3 July)
COVID-19: The Australian Government has added an extra $240m to the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM), extending the airfreight support to the end of the year. The assistance focusses on high value, perishable product.
Read the latest release by clicking here, and find out more about available flights and costs by clicking here.
Victorian outbreak causes delivery issues (1 July)
On Sunday, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton revealed a worker at Coles’ Laverton distribution centre was among the state’s latest coronavirus cases and that they had been at work for “three days while infectious. It’s a big facility. It has a lot of staff. Hundreds of those have been tested”.
Coles says the testing at Laverton is causing “short-term delays” on some deliveries of items to stores. Read more from the ABC.
New small business info hub at Safe Work Australia (29 June)
The new Small Business Hub has tailored information and tools to help businesses manage risks from COVID-19 and keep people safe at the workplace. The hub has guidance and resources for businesses transitioning back to usual operations as restrictions ease, as well as businesses that have been able to stay open safely.
It also features a new series of short videos with information on key COVID-19 work health and safety topics including risk assessments, physical distancing and cleaning the workplace. Click here to access the hub.
Updated: workplace learnings (25 June)
We’ve updated our article outlining what the avocado industry can learn from COVID-19 outbreaks and/or confirmed cases in agriculture generally. This includes the importance of a COVID-19 plan, whether it’s required by your state or not. The learning from the incident on a Queensland strawberry farm, was that the presence of plan (which the farm had in use, not just filed away) was the reason it could quickly return to picking after a positive case was confirmed. You can find links to what’s required in your state (and templates from states where plans are mandatory), by clicking here.
NT to re-open borders on 17 July (18 June)
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner says he will open the NT’s borders from July 17, as the Territory becomes the first Australian jurisdiction to have clinically eradicated coronavirus.
The NT Government eased the requirement for visitors to enter mandatory hotel quarantines, at a cost of $2,500, earlier this week. “Based on the evidence, our Chief Health Officer recommends a 28-day assessment period before opening our borders — which is two COVID-19 replication cycles. That is why we are waiting until next month,” Mr Gunner said in a statement. Read more from the ABC.
South Australia announces early easing, for some (16 June)
If you are travelling to South Australia from the Northern Territory, Western Australia or Tasmania, as of midnight tonight, you don’t have to self-isolate for 14 days. But it has to be direct travel.
Queensland is under consideration for this travel bubble, The Guardian reports, but not yet included.
South Australia to open borders on 20 July (12 June)
South Australia will reopen its interstate borders to unrestricted travel on July 20, while restrictions on venues including pubs, restaurants and gyms will be further eased next Friday. Premier Steven Marshall said the decision to lift border restrictions means travellers into South Australia from other states will no longer need to quarantine themselves for 14 days. Read more.
COVID-19 case on a Queensland strawberry farm (11 June – from our Member Alert)
Yes, we breathed a sigh of relief it wasn’t an avocado orchard too. However, it easily could have been. As background, a man in his 20s travelled from the Melbourne CBD, via an overnight stay in Brisbane with friends and family, to Bundaberg to take up a seasonal worker position in the strawberry industry. He was in transit on 1-2 June, and had worked only one shift at the farm before developing mild symptoms and reporting to the local health services for testing.
It is very likely he was infected by a confirmed case in Victoria. At this stage, all of the contacts tested by Queensland health (more than 250 people) have returned negative results. There will be follow-up testing this week, however.
Learnings for the avocado industry
In this case, the presence of a Health Management Plan (this is mandatory in Queensland for some agricultural businesses) for both the farm and the accommodation centre reportedly expedited Queensland Health’s track and trace activities. This worked so well, we understand the farm was able to resume picking within days.
If you do not have a health plan in place, or your state does not require one, Avocados Australia encourages you to develop a Health Management Plan for your orchard regardless.
Click on your state to find the relevant plan template, or further information and please note, even if your state does not require a specific COVID-19 plan, you may be required to update your existing workplace health and safety plans for COVID-19. Check with your relevant state agency.
- New South Wales (SafeWork NSW advises horticulture isn’t required to have a plan but it is recommended. And if your farm has a café/brewery/similar, then a plan may be mandatory. Please check carefully.)
- Queensland (If a Health Management Plan is not mandatory for you, your business should still have a Work Health and Safety Plan for COVID-19. If your existing WHS plan has not been updated with COVID-19 in mind, you may find this guide and this template useful.)
- South Australia (A plan may not be mandatory for agriculture, but please check carefully.)
- Tasmania (If you haven’t already completed a COVID-19 Safety Plan, these are due by 15 June, more here.)
- Western Australia (Agricultural businesses employing working holiday makers must prepare a COVID-19 Health Management Plan.)
- Victoria (There is no requirement for a specific COVID-19 plan, but all businesses are encouraged to address COVID-19 as part of their OHS obligations.)
- Northern Territory (The NT plan content suggestions may be generally useful for everyone.)
The National COVID-19 Coordination Commission has also developed a template for a COVIDSafe plan. This plan includes links to resources, checklists and suggestions. If using this plan, ensure you tailor your plan steps to your specific situation.
After the tumultuous period last year during the strawberry tampering crisis, that industry refined its crisis communications, along with Queensland Health. The initial releases on this COVID-19 incident stressed the safety of fresh produce, and media inquiries were handled by industry bodies, not the farm itself.
One continuing issue is the pushback from some community members about the presence of “outside workers” in their towns. As you go about your daily business, Avocados Australia encourages you to talk about how you are protecting your communities and your families: your health management strategies, testing regimes, and how important these workers are to horticulture.
You can read more learnings from earlier workplace cases by clicking here.
Tasmanian workplace plans due Monday (11 June)
All workplaces that are reopening due to the relaxing of restrictions must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place before they reopen. All other workplaces that have continued to operate throughout the pandemic must complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan by Monday 15 June 2020.
Click here for general information, and click here for the ag specific.
Health Management Plan helped strawberry farm keep running (9 June)
The presence of a Health Management Plan is a key factor that allowed a Bundaberg (Q) strawberry farm to quickly return to operation after a worker tested positive to COVID-19 over the weekend.
From state government ag briefings, it appears the farm had a Health Management Plan lodged for both the farm and the accommodation centre they ran and this allowed for a rapid response by Queensland Health. The farm was back in operation quickly following the confirmed case, in part because of this.
In Queensland, Health Management Plans are mandatory. Click here to read the directive and access templates.
We will add links to the plans for various states here ASAP, and make sure they are in the state info pages in the Member Area.
Export options being explored (4 June)
In today’s Victorian COVID-19 briefing, the Australian Government’s agriculture liaison Mark Tucker said the government was exploring options to help agriculture diversify export markets, and consider what support it might be able to provide at the end of the current freight support measures. It is unlikely passenger flights will return to normal any time soon, seriously curtailing cargo space availability and competitiveness.
Check JobKeeper eligibility (3 June)
Much to the surprise of many, family farming enterprises are qualifying for the federal government’s JobKeeper payment scheme. Even mum and dad partnerships which normally do not employ help on the farm have discovered one of the two partners is actually eligible for the $1500 fortnightly payment as part of Canberra’s economic stimulus response to the coronavirus emergency.
Late enrollments will still be accepted before June 30. Read more in Stock Journal and find out more from the ATO about the basic and alternative turnover test here.
Victorian grant scheme for COVID-19 adaptation (28 May)
The Victorian Government has announced individual grants of between $10,000 and $300,000 to support eligible businesses cover up to 50% of the cost of necessary COVID-19 adaptations to their workplaces. Read more here.
Seasonal Jobs SA (28 May)
The South Australian Government has set up Seasonal Jobs SA, a portal for advertising seasonal work in the state. According to the government, about 1,000 people a day are checking the site for work opportunities.
WA easing intrastate travel restrictions (25 May)
From Friday (29 May), Western Australia’s remaining regional travel boundaries will be reduced further. The regional boundaries will be lifted except for regions that are bound by the Commonwealth’s designated biosecurity determination and 274 remote Aboriginal communities. The state border remains closed. Read more.
Premier Mark McGowan says those final intrastate restrictions may be eased on 2 June.
WA announces JobKeeper flexibility (18 May)
The new General Order from the WA Industrial Relations Commission allows State system employers to temporarily alter hours/duties/locations, within specific requirements. State system employers and employees are those in businesses that operate as sole traders, unincorporated partnerships, and unincorporated trust arrangements. Some not-for-profit bodies and incorporated associations are also covered. Read more here.
Queensland could keep NSW border closed until September (18 May)
Earlier this month, the Queensland Government’s roadmap to easing restrictions indicated the state’s borders could reopen by mid-July “subject to further planning and review”. But this morning Ms Palaszczuk told ABC News Breakfast she was concerned about the rates of community transmission in southern states. “I would say that things would look more positive towards September — having said that, I do not want to rule anything out, I will give you that advice at the end of May, as quickly as possible,” she said.
Read more from the ABC.
Learning from COVID-19 events (8 May)
Today, we published a public article about learnings for the avocado industry from a recent cluster of COVID-19 cases at a Victorian meat works. You can read that article by clicking here.
For members, here are some additional tips with regard to public statements, should the worst occur (please read these in the context of the full article):
- Provide any and all records to relevant authorities and restrict public comment (to the media, on the company social media, in conversations at the supermarket) only to hard facts, eg:
- We became aware of a positive COVID-19 case on <date> and immediately enacted our workplace management plan.
- Our first concern is obviously our staff, their families and our local community.
- We have taken all necessary steps to protect our staff and our community. EG <<The relevant team/entire staff will remain in self-isolation and will be tested as soon as possible.
- If questioned on testing timeline: We realise that we are in a rural and regional area, so the test results may not be as fast as if we were in a major city. Our people will take every precaution to minimise public contact until we have the test results.>>
- There are no food safety concerns for consumers.
NSW: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs (7 May)
Under WHS law, all employers and businesses are required to manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace. The NSW Government has set up the PPE supplies portal for industry and the community to ensure that supply of PPE is available and accessible. On the portal, you can access a list of over 200 suppliers who have registered an interest or ability to supply PPE, and you can search for suppliers by postcode or service area. This will be a good first point of call for any industry stakeholders who are struggling to source PPE through their usual channels.
SafeWork NSW can provide advice on workplace health and safety, and COVID-19 information available on their website.
If you are having trouble sourcing sanitiser, there are some notes on how to make your own below (22 March).
Queensland seasonal worker requirements (6 May)
The Queensland Health Directives in relation to the new framework for seasonal workers seeking employment in agribusiness and commercial fishing has now been published (click here for the full directive), and they cover the workplace, accommodation centres and transport services.
The new requirements are active as of midnight Monday night.
You can watch a briefing from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF) by clicking here. (If you do not have Microsoft Teams downloaded and you don’t want to install it, click “watch on the web instead” and then “join anonymously” to view in your browser.)
Safe Work Australia updates WHS ag resources hub (4 May)
Click here for Safe Work Australia’s agricultural resources for employers, small business and workers.
NT to reopen some food service (30 April)
Outdoor activities including playgrounds, weddings and funerals will be allowed from Friday and the reopening of restaurants, cafes and bars will soon follow. Read more in 7News.
Queensland plan coming for seasonal workers (29 April)
Details have not yet been released, but Queensland will be providing details on a five point plan to manage seasonal workers in Queensland. It will include additional border restrictions, managing the potential spread of COVID-19 via the seasonal workforce, the use of health management plans and stronger compliance. We will post details as they are available. The Queensland Government has committed to providing detailed information this week (UPDATE: or early next week).
Read the initial government release here.
Queensland releases WHS cleaning factsheet (27 April)
This factsheet covers a range of workplace hygiene measures, including cleaning guidelines. Click here to access.
Air freight network starts (23 April)
The Australian Government’s new air freight providers and forwarders network have now been appointed. The six freight forwarders and nine air freight service providers will link Australia’s agricultural and fisheries producers to export hubs. Read more here.
Temporary Visa Holders (23 April)
States have started to release details of support for and requirements from employers:
Free online hygiene training for drivers (22 April)
The Queensland Trucking Association is working with DRVR to provide free hygiene awareness training (online) for truck and delivery drivers: click here. And Transport Alliance Australia and DRVR are providing free training (online) for passenger transport drivers: click here.
We have also updated our Staying Safe in the Orchard and Packshed online guide, to include staff transport tips via Agriculture Victoria – click here.
Updated permit pass links (21 April)
Apply online for a pass for travel in WA – click here
Ag specific information for Queensland – click here
Need resources to boost safety in your orchard or packshed?
- Avocados Australia curated list of avocado-relevant information, click here
- Avocados Australia’s collated list of national resources, click here
- PMA-ANZ guidelines for the fresh produce industry, click here
- National Farmers Federation workplace guide, click here
- Safe Food Queensland’s workplace checklist, click here
Make sure new staff have letters of intent – Qld (16 April)
For those in Queensland looking to get backpacker staff across the border: if they aren’t carrying a letter of intent to employ from you, there is a good chance those people will be turned back at the border, even if all other paperwork has been done. There is a template letter on our website here.
Export loan support (15 April)
Australian exporters impacted by the COVID-19 crisis will now have access to business-saving loans between $250,000 and $50 million under a new $500 million capital facility to be administered by Export Finance Australia. Click here for the Minister’s release and to a factsheet (bottom of the page).
Fair Work Commission varies awards (9 April)
The Commission has decided to vary a large number of Awards, including horticulture, to include the pandemic leave provisions:
- a right for employees to take two weeks of “unpaid pandemic leave” when required by government directions to self-isolate; and
- the capacity for employer and employee to agree for the employee to take twice as much annual leave at half pay.
You can find the full decision by clicking here.
Promoting the eat avos at home message (8 April)
Your Chair and CEO (Jim and John) are in The Age today encouraging people to eat their avos at home. Read it here.
PS, if you are a bit more exciting than John with your avo recipe (not that there’s anything wrong with smashed avo and balsamic), we encourage you to read the alert from 7 April (below) and create a video showcasing your favourite avo recipe to our consumers!
Boosting our marketing efforts (7 April)
The industry’s marketing team are asking for grower help in promoting the at-home consumption of Australian avocados. Read more here.
New materials from Safe Work Australia & Safe Food Queensland (6 April)
New resources for employers from Safe Work Australia include:
Safe Work previously released a fact sheet for agriculture about minimising the risk of exposure, click here to view the PDF.
Meanwhile, Safe Work Queensland has produced a guideline and checklist for reducing COVID-19 impacts. You can download both from their website here.
Visa changes finally announced (4 April)
- 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 the implementation of self-isolation arrangements for visa holders and avoid the 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.
NFF releases workplace guide for COVID-19
The NFF has now released version 1 of its COVID-19 workplace guide. Click here to access. The guide covers: general practices, access to labour and workforce planning, WHS obligations, industrial relations, and a COVID-19 personal disclosure statement template.
Growers encourage consumers to stock up on avos (3 April)
Australia’s avocado growers are urging brunch lovers to keep up their smashed avo habit at home after a drop in the market set off by the coronavirus shutdown of cafes and restaurants. Far North Queensland grower and Avocados Australia chairman Jim Kochi said the drop in prices had left growers “very apprehensive. Avocado growers are [feeling] the same as everyone at the moment.” Click here to read more at ABC Rural.
From the Prime Minister’s press conference
In his lunchtime press conference today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was important that ag producers were able to continue their work, and continue to source staff. He said working holiday makers will be required to self-isolate (and register that they have done so at australia.gov.au, so employers can verify it) before they transfer to another part of the country, into rural or regional areas. He said the government was also working with state and local governments to ensure workers’ accommodation met standards, eg, having 6 people in a caravan was not on. There are no links available to specifics around this at this time.
Queensland & WA borders tighten
Both Queensland (link – read paragraphs 22, 23 and 24 for ag exemptions) and Western Australia (link – information to come on exemptions) have, or soon will, further tighten their border restrictions.
New resources from Safe Work Australia (2 April)
The model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws require employers* to take care of the health and safety of their workers and others at the workplace. This includes:
- providing and maintaining a work environment that is without risk to health and safety;
- making sure farm activities don’t expose anyone to health and safety risks. That includes your family, other workers, farm visitors and contractors; and
- adequate facilities for workers in carrying out their work.
Click here for Safe Work Australia’s guide to minimising risk for those in agriculture.
New airfreight help to re-open markets (1 April)
Today’s announcement of Australian Government support for air freight to the key markets of China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UAE from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth includes provision for horticulture. Read the release.
Exporters are encouraged to go to the online portal (click here), as registering interest in particular markets is one of the ways the new freight team will be determining which routes to support first. There was some indication in today’s government briefings (attended by members of your Avocados Australia team) that markets not identified as a priority may also be considered, if there is enough interest.
Other queries can be directed to: freight.assistance@agriculture.gov.au or call 02 6272 244.
We were assured work continues on visa extension/relaxations, how to handle self-isolation in regional areas, and the need for more clarity on exactly what is needed to keep workplaces safe and operating should there be a positive case.
Wage subsidy available to ag supply stores (31 March)
Federal Ag Minister David Littleproud says the Australian Government’s wage subsidy package, announced last night, is available to people in the ag sector.
“Local ag supply stores that have experienced a 30% business downturn will be eligible for the wage subsidy,” Minister Littleproud said.
Read more on the JobKeeper assistance by clicking here.
PMA-ANZ checklist (30 March)
More resources are being developed for the horticulture industry, but one already out is a fresh produce checklist for protecting your workforce from PMA-ANZ.
Click here to download the PDF.
It includes checklists for temperature checks, packing sheds, picking crews, accommodation and transport. Be sure to also check the WHS requirements in your State.
Business continuity webinar (27 March)
Yesterday, BDO and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries held the first of a new ag-focussed webinar series.
This first webinar covered business continuity planning & managing supply chain disruption. This included how to scenario plan and set thresholds, ensuring health and safety, assessing your technology, identifying key suppliers, and expected future challenges.
Click here to view the webinar. We will collate the recordings of the entire series as they happen here.
HR resources from AUSVEG (26 March)
AUSVEG has been engaged with HR Global Solutions in Melbourne who have offered some free advice to AUSVEG members relating to the Coronavirus and Australian Workplace Laws, as well as Candidate Pre-Screening and Pandemic Recruitment Contingency Plan. (Note: Avocados Australia recommends you do your own research and make your own business decisions on any services offered)
Click here for the document (PDF link).
Queensland border pass now online (26 March)
- Find information about the Queensland border closures by clicking here. This page includes details of exemptions (again, note, the Department is calling all workers coming into Qld FIFO, not just resource workers, don’t be confused)
- Click here for the online pass application
- For businesses, click here for the health plan template (Word doc) you will need to file with the Department of Health for workers coming into your business from interstate.
- Factsheet available here (PDF link)
New resources on the way (25 March)
Today, Avocados Australia took part in three briefings – a National Farmers Federation briefing with Federal Department of Agriculture staff, a Queensland Hort Council meeting, and the Queensland Agriculture Coordination Group weekly briefing. There are some key documents on their way for horticulture.
- Safe Food Queensland CEO Jim Dodds says his group will have a decision-making flow chart available soon, possibly as early as the end of the week. We will post links as soon as they are available.
- Queensland will soon release a template plan for those who need to get people/freight across the borders into Queensland. You can find more about Queensland border crossing requirements here. We will publish a link to the health plan template on our Queensland Resources page as soon as it’s available online. (You can find the NT Government’s border crossing documentation links via our NT Resources page, and more about the WA crossing requirements here.)
- The Queensland DAF has engaged a contractor to develop WHS guidelines. There will be a specific one for horticulture.
Ag chasing official declaration of “essential service” (24 March)
UPDATE: On 25 March, Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud confirmed ag is an essential industry. “As far as the Commonwealth is concerned, food production and supply is an essential service,” the Minister says. Read more here.
Today Avocados Australia participated in the National Farmers Federation member briefing on COVID-19 and we’re happy to report the push to have agriculture (from inputs to the retail shelves) officially listed as an essential industry/service continues. While the Federal Government (and State Governments) have verbally committed to this at the highest level, the lack of an official statement is causing confusion and concern in the industry.
This is especially true as states and territories move to close their borders to non-essential travel (that is, in most cases you are encouraged not to travel and you will be isolated for 14 days at your destination, there are state variations).
Again, there have been verbal assurances that agricultural freight (inputs and outputs) are considered essential. It’s important that is an official position, however.
Australian Government appoints ag officer for COVID-19 (23 March)
Today, the Australian Government announced Mark Tucker as the new Senior Agriculture Industry Engagement Officer, tasked with liaising between the Department of Agriculture and industry stakeholders and peak bodies.
The role is to ensure agricultural industry perspectives inform decision-making.
After verbal assurances from Minister Littleproud last week (18 March), the National Farmers Federation is also seeking clarity that agriculture is considered an essential service by not just the Australian Government, but all state governments as well. Read their release here.
“The NFF has been assured that agriculture and the food supply chain will not be interrupted, despite the closure of travel between some states,” President Fiona Simson says.
“The agriculture industry takes human health seriously and is taking appropriate measures to ensure this is a priority. That being said, the transport of produce from farm to market must be able to happen unobstructed – this includes across state borders.”
Ms Simson says this includes logistics to ensure the flow of essential agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and crop protection products.
Update from the Bureau of Met (23 March)
This is an update from BOM, about how they plan to handle service delivery:
Like all Australian organisations, the Bureau of Meteorology has been planning carefully for a range of potential outcomes and scenarios in relation to COVID-19.
Our two priorities are continuing to provide Australia with timely forecasts, warnings and other important services, and the ongoing health and wellbeing of our staff. At this stage, the Bureau is providing all products and services as normal.
Should we start to see impacts on our workforce from COVID-19 or from measures the Australian Government and state and territory governments put in place, we will focus our people on delivering the most critical services.
The Bureau of Meteorology already has a resilient operational model that allows us to draw on staff and capabilities from across our national footprint to provide services. Our response measures are both flexible and scalable to help effectively manage the evolving situation with COVID-19.
However, if there are impacts for you as a customer, we will keep you informed as soon as those become apparent.
Keeping clean – notes from an NQ packshed (22 March)
The most effective sanitisers for COVID-19 are basic soap and water, where water is available ie taps, sinks, basins.
Where water is not available ie, in vehicles, before and after visiting other sites like shopping centres, business, banks, anywhere else, then hand sanitisers containing denatured alcohol are the most effective.
We cannot guarantee the efficacy of homemade sanitisers, but with the rush on shops, and limited availability in regional areas, here are some links with suggestions on how to make your own:
- World Health Organization – detailed instructions, and ingredient quantities (PDF)
- The Conversation – this includes notes on a common recipe, and how to boost it to the higher WHO standards
- Biome – has a hand sanitiser spray recipe (and additional information)
- FarmingLife UK
- we’ll update if we spot other potentially useful items.
Avocados Australia is aware (from various state and national sources), that the Federal Health Department is being asked to provide ag-specific recommendations for workplaces such as packsheds, and accommodations such as backpackers. Until then, take all possible steps to minimise transmission through the community.
NFF launches consumer reassurance campaign (weekend of 21 March)
This weekend the National Farmers Federation launched a major metro campaign in print media and online to reassure our ag consumers that we are still producing food.
As the NFF’s social posts say: Australians can calm their farm in the supermarket aisles, knowing it’s business as usual for Aussie farmers, and there is plenty of food to go around!
PMA-NZ safety recommendations – 20 March 2020
Produce Marketing Association Australia-New Zealand (PMA A-NZ) is closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on the fresh produce industry and consumers. They recommend the whole supply chain for fresh produce look to information from relevant health authorities and keep a focus on food safety.
PMA A-NZ will be providing members with critical additional information about how to keep consumers safe during this time.
“What we do know is that the usual sanitisers at the recommended concentrations are largely effective against most coronaviruses – including chlorine-based, QUATS, and peracetic acids. Additionally, adopting good food handling practices and good personal hygiene are vitally important to ensure Australians continue to enjoy safe eating,” Head of Food Safety at PMA A-NZ, Deon Mahoney.
PMA A-NZ CEO, Darren Keating added: “We also need to take on the ideas of social distancing in our farms, processing and packing facilities. One of the key challenges to keeping the supply chain running is to manage your people and their health. This could include keeping visitors and non-essential staff members away from your sites, as well as looking at strategies to split up your teams as a preventative measure.” Read the full release by clicking here.
Avocados Australia, as a member of PMA-ANZ will pass along any additional advice.
NFF labour meeting – 20 March 2020
The National Farmers Federation says it has been reassured today at a meeting of the Commonwealth, State and Territory agriculture ministers that governments are working to minimise the risk to agriculture’s foreign workforce as a result of necessary travel restrictions.
“The horticulture sector relies on foreign workers to pick and pack the fresh fruit and vegetables Australians depend on every day. The unfailing supply of fresh produce on our supermarket shelves is of paramount importance to Australians right now,” NFF President Fiona Simson said in a statement.
“To ease this challenge, the NFF continues to have productive discussions with the Federal Government about the potential to extend the visas of workers currently employed on farms pursuant to the Seasonal Worker and Working Holiday Makers programmes.
“The meeting also discussed the preference to see Australians who may find themselves unemployed as a result of COVID-19 to consider farm work.”
In some positive news, supply lines into China for farm inputs appear to be easing.
“This situation looks to be easing as China begins to reopen, however like shoppers, when it comes to essential inputs such as glyphosate, farmers are being urged to only buy what they need in the short term,” Ms Simson said.
As noted on 18 March (below), as a member of the NFF Hort Council, Avocados Australia has provided the NFF with details of the various avocado picking seasons across the country to inform national labour discussions.
Labour on the agenda – 19 March 2020
Avocados Australia participated in today’s National Farmers Federation Hort Council meeting, where the impact of COVID-19 was on the agenda. Attendees were told the Australian Government Department of Agriculture has committed to sourcing definitive advice for the requirements should an employee of a farm or packshed test positive.
The NFF has also been assured discussions are underway on other labour initiatives, including visa flexibility.
Food supply chain considered an essential service – 18 March 2020
In a National Farmers Federation teleconference this morning, the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Australian Government was currently attempting to understand the impact flight reduction would have on moving cargo out of Australia, including produce.
Australian Government representatives assured the various agricultural representatives attending the teleconference, including Avocados Australia, that the government considered food supply a paramount issue, from inputs to farms to processing to retail.
Issues still being addressed by the various levels of government (without resolution to date) include:
- labour supply (for example, allowing those in the country to stay and continue working)
- the handling of self-isolation or quarantine in rural and remote locations with limited accommodation and resources
- under what circumstances a packshed or similar facility would have to close, despite being an essential service.
Avocados Australia, as a member of the NFF Hort Council, has provided the NFF with details of the various avocado picking seasons across the country (through to the start of 2021), including anticipated periods of peak demand for each region.
Health recommendations – 17 March 2020
At a teleconference of the Queensland Agriculture Coordination Group Meeting, Avocados Australia heard that, as expected, labour issues are expected to spike as various horticultural crops require harvesting.
Also, in the absence of clear operational direction from state departments, it is reasonable to comply with Federal Health recommendations instead. State and Federal Chief Medical Officers are working on a unfied approach, somewhat hampered by individual state legislation.
FSANZ says unlikely to be transmitted by food – 16 March 2020
Transmission through food is unlikely and there is no evidence of this occurring with COVID-19 to date, however, investigations into how the virus spreads are continuing, according to Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released a statement noting there is currently no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission of the virus. Read our summary of that statement below (9 March).
The Italian experience – 11 March 2020
Italy went into a coronavirus lockdown in early March, with the expectation the government-imposed restrictions would last until early April. So how did the country’s businesses continue to operate?
The short answer is that many didn’t with the government insisting all shops but supermarkets, food stores and chemists had to close up shop.
According to Italiafruit, the country’s fruit and vegetable companies had to change practices almost overnight to keep supply lines flowing.
The Italian industry news outlet reports that in office situations, external visitors have been forbidden, as has all but urgent travel. Within offices, personnel within separate departments aren’t allowed to interact in person or visit each other’s work areas.
“In the more structured companies, special entry and exit registers have been set up in which to keep track of the internal movements of staff, from one area of the company to another. This is because, if an employee is positive at COVID-19, there is no need to quarantine the entire company, but only those who have shared the spaces with the infected person,” Italiafruit reports.
Where possible, employees are working from home or taking their holidays.
In warehouses and packing, shift structures have changed to ensure no cross-over period between one shift and the next, preventing workers from coming into contact with the next shift. In addition, breaks are being staggered to reduce the number of people gathering at any one time, and staff rotations eliminated across shifts and groups. Periodic disinfections are also being scheduled.
Read more in Italiafruit: italiafruit.net/DettaglioNews/53727/in-evidenza/coronavirus-il-lavoro-si-adegua-ma-non-si-ferma. (You will need to use a tool such as Google translate.)
Major impacts expected from virus – 10 March 2020
At a teleconference of the Queensland Agriculture Coordination Group Meeting, Avocados Australia heard major impacts were expected for export markets, companies and suppliers.
With regard to labour, we were assured the Australian Government is working ensuring continuing access to Pacific labour.
Current steps suggested for workforces/places (note this was a Queensland briefing, but the advice may be generally applicable, please refer to local authorities):
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- if someone is unwell, isolate them and have them tested. Look for: fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath. Anyone more unwell is “highly suspect” but if it’s been 14 days since they were in an at-risk country and they are still healthy, they may be safe
- isolation recommendation is still for 14 days but in a clinical setting (ie, in hospital with medical care and testing) they are finding some people are clear in 5-7 days, but in others it can last weeks
- if someone is confirmed as infected, (note every case is different though) anyone who has spent 15 minutes face-to-face or two ours in an enclosed space with that person is also at risk
- no real advice available for how to handle isolation if your workforce is staying at the local backpackers.
No evidence food a transmission source – 9 March 2020
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is closely monitoring the situation regarding the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that is affecting a large number of countries across the globe. There is currently no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission of the virus, EFSA said in a statement today.
EFSA’s chief scientist, Marta Hugas, said experiences from previous outbreaks of related coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), showed that transmission through food consumption did not occur.
“At the moment, there is no evidence to suggest that coronavirus is any different in this respect,” Dr Hugas said.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said that while animals in China were the likely source of the initial infection, the virus is spreading from person to person – mainly via respiratory droplets that people sneeze, cough, or exhale.
Scientists and authorities across the world are monitoring the spread of the virus and there have not been any reports of transmission through food. For this reason, EFSA is not currently involved in the response to the COVID-19 outbreaks.
Regarding food safety, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued precautionary recommendations including advice on following good hygiene practices during food handling and preparation, such as washing hands, cooking meat thoroughly and avoiding potential cross-contamination between cooked and uncooked foods. More information can be found on the WHO website.
About EFSA: EFSA is a European agency funded by the European Union that operates independently of the European legislative and executive institutions (Commission, Council, Parliament) and EU Member States.
