Fair Farms, Australia’s only independent social compliance training and certification program for horticulture, has appointed Amanda Higgins as National Program Manager, reinforcing the program’s strong foundations and clear strategic direction for the future. 

The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against a Queensland-based labour hire provider and its manager for allegedly knowingly providing false and misleading records to a Fair Work Inspector.

For growers impacted by the recent weather events it is important to understand how to best manage your skilled workforce and not lose good employees.

The Fair Work Commission recently updated the rules about superannuation in 147 Awards to make sure that Awards reflect the current superannuation rules.

Are you using probation periods to their full potential? Probation is often treated as a checkbox, but when handled well it can become a powerful driver of performance, engagement and workplace culture.

Unpaid leave isn’t always straightforward. A new Fair Work Commission ruling highlights the importance of fairness, clarity and good documentation. This article breaks down the key lessons for employers.

Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement of an independent review of the Horticulture Code of Conduct, to be led by Mr Chris Leptos AO.

At QFVG, our role is to ensure policy settings keep pace with the realities growers are facing on the ground. One issue we continue to hear growers speak about is payroll tax. 

This Christmas, as we sit down to our festive feasts, it’s worth pausing to think about the hands that grew the food on our plates. From juicy pineapples to sweet strawberries, leafy greens and roasted sweet potato, Queensland horticultural growers work tirelessly to make sure we have fresh, nutritious produce all year round - especially over the holiday season.

In early 2025, the Queensland Government began the largest consultation effort in over a decade to develop its 25-Year Blueprint for primary industries. QFVG has been at the forefront, ensuring the horticulture sector’s voice is heard and its needs are represented.

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it’s increasingly a business imperative. For many horticultural growers, the rise of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) reporting has prompted a mixture of curiosity, caution, and, at times, frustration. Some have never encountered the term, while others are already deep into reporting obligations. Yet, the reality is clear: ESG is shaping trade, supply chains, and market access, and it’s not a matter of if but when these reporting obligations are imposed on growers.

Few issues cut closer to the heart of horticulture than water. It is not just an input. It is the very foundation of our capacity to grow food. With rising input costs, water pricing has become one of the most pressing concerns for Queensland growers.

Queensland growers know better than most that natural disasters are part of the landscape. Cyclones, floods, fires, and storms aren’t just weather events - they are business interruptions, crop losses, and community upheavals. While the risks that come with climate variability and natural disasters are second nature to growers, resilience alone cannot carry an industry through disaster after disaster. That is where QFVG’s advocacy has made a measurable difference.

Few words carry as much weight for Queensland horticulture as biosecurity. The stakes are clear: one unchecked pest or disease could shut down a $3 billion sector overnight. Growers already invest heavily in on-farm biosecurity, acting as both the first and last line of defence. But they cannot, and should not, shoulder this responsibility alone. QFVG has been vocal in pressing governments to match growers’ commitment with a system that is better resourced, more coordinated, and genuinely effective.

In 2024/25, growers again identified the burden, cost, and duplication of compliance - and whether it is truly fit for purpose - as one of the key factors influencing their decision to remain in or leave the industry.

A stable and skilled workforce is the backbone of Queensland horticulture, yet growers continue to face major challenges in securing and retaining labour. This year, QFVG has led the charge to ensure training settings and workforce policies reflect the real needs of growers, not just government priorities.

Few issues this year have cut as close to the bone as supermarket conduct. For growers, the imbalance in bargaining power with major retailers isn’t a new story - but in 2024/25, it finally broke into the national spotlight, and QFVG made sure growers’ voices were at the centre of the conversation.

A new version of the Fixed Term Contract Information Statement (FTCIS) is now available. This update reflects recent changes to the rules and exceptions around the use of fixed term contracts.   

On 4 November 2025, Parliament approved new laws to bring in Payday Super. Starting 1 July 2026, super contributions will need to be paid at the same time employees are paid.

Across the agricultural sector, work doesn’t always stop just because the calendar says it’s a public holiday. Animals still need feeding, crops still need water, machinery still needs tending, and some tasks can’t simply be pushed to the next day.