29 June 2021.
As the industry prepares for a 2.5 per cent increase in the National Minimum Wage, new wage sheets have now been published.
The increase comes into play from Thursday under the Pastoral Award 2020, with wage sheets now available for cattle, grain, cotton and cropping, shearing, wool, and sugarcane.
The Fair Work Act 2009 has also recently been amended to include a definition of a "casual employee".
The basic definition is that that at the point of engagement they accept a job knowing that there is no firm advance commitment to ongoing work according to an agreed pattern of work.
The Fair Work Commission is conducting a review of Awards in order to determine whether existing provisions need to be amended in order to comply with the Act and the National Employment Standards.
If you are uncertain if the engagement of your casuals meets the Act definition please contact Primary Employers Queensland for advice.
And don’t forget that the superannuation contribution will increase to 10 per cent from 1 July 2021.
AgForce members can access free advice from AgForce industrial relations expert Warren Turner at Primary Employers Queensland on 0408 723 197 or email turnerirq@bigpond.com.