FWO activities
The agriculture industry, including horticulture, is a key focus for us.
On this page:
- Recent activities
- Our work in the horticulture industry
- Harvest Trail Inquiry
- What we’re doing to promote change
Recent activities
Victorian fruit grower signs EU after unlawful wage deductions
A Goulburn Valley fruit growing company has signed an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) with the Fair Work Ombudsman to improve its workplace compliance after it made unlawful wage deductions of nearly $127,000 from 112 employees.
To learn more, visit Victorian fruit grower signs EU after unlawful wage deductions.
Celery producers penalised nearly $167,000 over migrant exploitation
We have secured $166,860 in court-ordered penalties against one of Australia’s largest celery producers for underpaying vulnerable migrant employees more than $91,000.
To learn more, visit Celery producers penalised nearly $167,000 over migrant exploitation.
Victorian grower penalised almost $160,000 for underpaying vulnerable workers
We have secured $159,793 in court-ordered penalties against a farm business in Werribee South, Victoria, for underpaying two employees more than $28,000, falsifying records to hide the underpayments, and making unlawful deductions.
To learn more, visit Victorian grower penalised almost $160,000 for underpaying vulnerable workers.
Our work in the horticulture industry
Our experience working with employers in the sector has shown there’s often confusion about an employer’s workplace obligations. This includes:
- using piece rates
- grower’s obligations when using a labour hire service.
We've been working closely with businesses across Australia to:
- raise awareness about workplace laws
- educate employers about workplace rights and obligations
- increase compliance with workplace laws.
This also includes proactive compliance activities, such as farm visits in regional areas.
Harvest Trail Inquiry
In 2018, we released our Harvest Trail Inquiry Report detailing our inquiry into workplace arrangements in Australia’s horticulture sector. This came in response to concerns about non-compliance with workplace laws from within the industry.
From the Inquiry, we learnt about:
- widespread misuse of piece rates
- a negative impact where labour hire arrangements were used illegally
- low consumer awareness and unwillingness to pay more for ‘domestic fair trade’ produce contributing to workplace exploitation.
Learn more about the Inquiry and our findings on the Harvest Trail Inquiry page.
What we’re doing to promote change
We understand the factors that contribute to non-compliance in the sector and we’re working hard to improve things. We’re doing this by:
- working with key business owners and influencers in the industry to drive behavioural change
- enhancing the regulatory framework
- enhancing compliance through information, education and support for employers and employees.
We'll continue to maintain a key focus on the sector. This is due to:
- the high proportion of vulnerable workers employed
- changes to workplace laws on piece rates and piecework
- ongoing issues relating to labour supply.
For a full outline of our plans, go to the Harvest Trail Inquiry Report (DOCX) (PDF).
