Level 1 Hort Award changes no joke
Queensland’s horticulture industry has been subject to a wide range of industrial relations and legislative changes over the past three years – the latest, which came into effect this week, ironically on April Fool's Day - being the C14 determination.
For growers whose heads are spinning to understand where all these changes are from and why, the background on this one started in 2018-19 when the ACTU and the ACBC contended that award rates should lift hypothetical single earner household types above the 60% relative poverty line. This was rejected; however, it did spark a further examination of 45 Modern Awards.
The result of this examination was the Commission releasing a decision in April 2024 where its interpretation was strongly argued by industry, as what they put forward was not clear as to how our industry would seek to implement it.
QFVG and others nationally tried hard to navigate a much clearer process than what was put in front of us, however our submissions were rejected.
We argued that the Award transition should only apply where the experience was acquired in a similar role - picking is very different skill sets from packing which is different from thinning; strawberries are a very different crop to mangoes and the list goes on.
We argued the quantity of experience should be calculated in hours, rather than months, to ensure consistency across all (part-time, casual and full-time) roles and to help growers manage the expectations of Award transition.
We argued that experience should be acquired within three years rather than at any time in the worker’s history due to relevance of skills.
All suggestions were refused, despite our best efforts.
So, the C14 determination has now come into effect for the Horticulture Award this week on 1 April 2025, if you are not already set up for this, now is your time to act.
The key points to know:
an employee cannot remain on Level 1 under the Horticulture Award 2020 for a period of longer than three months.
the three months is seen as three months experience in the industry – this means that experience with other employers in the industry counts. As such, any historical experience is considered valid – if it can be proven.
the duties which were previously described only in Level 1 in the Award will now also be incorporated into Level 2.
once an employee has three months experience, they must be moved to Level 2 under the Award.
While we can’t change the outcome, we can support industry to implement these changes. For any horticultural growers struggling to implement these changes:
A Free C14 Implementation Kit has been developed for horticultural growers to assist in this transition. Download your copy from the QFVG Shop www.qfvg.com.au/shop
QFVG Members can contact the QFVG Workplace Relations support line on 07 3620 3844 or email wrteam@qfvg.com.au
Fair Farms participants can contact your support line on 07 3620 3888 or email fairfarms@fairfarms.com.au
QFVG, in partnership with our workplace relations provider Focus HR, is also rolling out practical training through our state-wide Geared up Horticulture initiative. You can find out more by visiting our website www.qfvg.com.au/geared-up
