Queensland leads the way on farm workplace compliance

Queensland’s horticulture industry has been recognised as a national leader in workplace compliance, following the release today of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Horticulture Compliance Report 2021–2024. 

The report, which examined more than 500 horticulture employers across 15 hotspot regions nationally, found that Queensland’s Wide Bay and Moreton Bay regions recorded the lowest non-compliance rates in the country.  

Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) CEO Rachel Chambers said the report shows what the industry can achieve when it leans into accountability and takes ownership of its reputation. 

“Queensland growers have shown real leadership in lifting employment standards across the board. These results reflect the effort of growers who are committed to doing the right thing; not just because it’s the law, but because it’s good for business, good for workers, and good for the future of our industry,” Ms Chambers said.  

A key contributor to the state’s success has been Fair Farms, the QFVG-led, industry-owned program that provides growers with the tools, training, and confidence to meet their workplace obligations. The program offers nationally delivered training, tailored support, and an independent certification pathway. 

“The results speak for themselves. Where Fair Farms is active, we’re seeing higher rates of compliance from employers,” Ms Chambers said. 

“This is what’s possible when industry sets the standard rather than waiting for enforcement. It’s also what’s possible when you educate and support employers in the complexities of operationalising workforce law” 

“It’s no surprise — though still concerning — that in the absence of national labour hire licencing standards, we continue to see issues in the labour hire sector. In fact, 91 percent of infringement notices issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman were directed at labour hire providers. 

This data reinforces our long-standing support for a national labour hire licensing regime. Queensland’s results speak volumes: the state leads the way thanks in part to its established and effective licensing system. And once again, rather than waiting for reform, QFVG is stepping up. Through the Fair Farms program, we introduced a dedicated certification for labour hire providers earlier this year — leading the change where it's needed most.” 

QFVG will continue to work closely with growers, supply chain partners, and government to drive standards and ensure that the gains made in Queensland become the benchmark for horticulture across Australia. 

QFVG thanks all Fair Farms growers for your leadership and encourages all growers to join Fair Farms and be part of a nationwide shift towards building a reputation for excellence across the entire horticulture industry.