A new Agriculture Workers Code comes in to effect from today, and will provide a single permit system for the movement of agricultural workers, contractors and farmers crossing the Victorian and South Australian Borders.
NSW Farmers president James Jackson said it is now time for the Queensland Government to step up and provide certainty for grain growers about the movement of skilled workers and contractors from Queensland.
‘‘Grain harvest starts in the north within weeks, and yet there is still the ongoing uncertainty of individual applications for workers,’’ Mr Jackson said.
‘‘We recognise the need for COVID-safe work arrangements, but after years of drought the uncertainty of labour supply has been very challenging. We know our farmers will do all they can to keep their workers safe.
‘‘We raised the need for a single and simple agricultural worker permit in August and have engaged with the government for some months about labour needs and I congratulate them for acting on it.
‘‘Agricultural output feeds the nation — not just the state or territory where it is produced.’’
Agricultural workers travelling between NSW and Victoria will need a permit and relevant identification and will be required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as appropriate.
Travelling workers will also need to keep records of their movements. Agricultural employers need to support workers to perform self-isolation in the first 14 days after entry into NSW, and must have a COVID safety plan in place.