Workplace Relations
The NFF represents the farming sector in relation to annual wage decisions in its capacity as an industrial association. The NFF is involved in ongoing workplace relations reform, supporting workforce deregulation and flexible workplace relations arrangements. NFF plays a major role in education programs relating to these reforms, and promotes and supports migration and training initiatives to address the chronic labour shortage in regional Australia.
Fair Work Act 2009
Over September 2009 through to mid-April 2010 the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) - with support from the Australian Government - held 90 free seminars across regional Australia to help agricultural producers understand the changes to the workplace relations laws as a result of the new Fair Work Act 2009.
The NFF provided educational materials, including the Fair Work Information Booklet for Agricultural Producers and a Modern Agriculture Awards Fact Sheet (both downloadable below), in addition to the seminars, so agricultural producers Australia-wide can access first-hand information explaining the new national workplace relations laws.
In addition, the NFF has also provided a copy of the Pastoral Award 2010 and the Horticulture Award 2010 (both are downloadable below).
The changes to the Australian workplace relations laws – both those commencing from 1 July 2009 and those that came into effect as of 1 January 2010 – are significant and will affect the day-to-day interaction between employers and employees.
Labour Shortages
The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) takes a national approach to the development of its Labour Shortage Action Plan, tackling the lack of available labour in regional Australia, relation to skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.
The NFF recognises that a holistic sector approach is required to overcome this complex issue, and urges all Australian Governments - Federal, State/Territory and Local - to take a 'whole-of-government' approach, to work collectively, and with industry, to remove impediments and solve the problems.
- Preview Changes to skilled migration: Fact Sheet (PDF 79.7 kb)
A fact sheet from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship regarding changes to skilled migration, including temporary business (457 visas) and permanent skilled migration. Current 1 July 2011.
- Preview Australian Regional Agriculture and Mining Skills Project - Final Report (PDF 361.3 kb)
This Report, released 3 August 2009, follows the NFF, Minerals Council of Australia and the Australian Government's 2007 joint taskforce to address the under-supply of skilled labour in regional areas - with a view to attracting, training and retaining employees with transferable skills across both sectors and developing sustainable regional communities...
- Preview Discussion Paper: Pastoral Partnerships Project (PDF 474.6 kb)
The NFF's 27 August 2008 invitation for constructive advice and insight aimed at breaking down the barriers for the long-term unemployed, indigenous Australians, disabled people and women to enable them to take up jobs and careers in farming as the second phase of its Labour Shortage Action Plan...
- Preview Industry Perspective: New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy (PDF 539.2 kb)
The NFF's 22 May 2008 advice to the Australian Government following our study of New Zealand's 'Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy', in support of the NFF's proposal for an Australian 'Workforce from Abroad Employment Scheme' to address unprecedented labour shortages across entry-level positions in the horticultural sector by engaging Pacific Island employees...
- Preview Workforce from Abroad Employment Scheme (PDF 317.2 kb)
The NFF's 7 April 2008 proposal for filling 22,000 entry-level job vacancies through a reciprocal (mutual benefit) arrangement with Pacific Island nations...
- Preview Labour Shortage Action Plan 2008 (PDF 399.5 kb)
The NFF's 3 April 2008 Labour Shortage Action Plan analyses the nature and extent of labour shortages, outlining strategic initiatives crucial to solving the shortfall - attracting job-seekers to the sector, including temporary and permanent workers from abroad, enticing metropolitan Australians to regional lifetyles, education and training relevant to farming, and providing conditions that not only continue to be materially attractive but personally and professionally rewarding. When the Australian farm sector emerges from drought it will need around 100,000 extra workers. The Plan looks at the full spectrum of demand for labour and skills across the sector, noting that while a large majority of roles are highly skilled and managerial, many subsectors are in dire need of entry-level workers...
- Preview Summary of Labour Shortages in the Agricultural Sector (DOC 151.5 kb)
The NFF's March 2008 analysis quantifying the extent of the labour shortages affecting agricultural production in Australia - revealing a shortfall of some 100,000 jobs as the sector emerges from drought...
- Preview Memorandum of Understanding on Education & Training (PDF 181.3 kb)
Agreed on 17 July 2007, the NFF joined with the Minerals Council of Australia and the Australian Government to address the chronic need for skilled labour in regional areas - with farming needing 50,000 new employees now and the mining sector needing 70,000 over the next 10 years - to attract, train and retain employees and develop sustainable regional communities...
Industrial Relations
The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) is dedicated to simplifing Australia's industrial relations system to prevent third parties - be it the Australian Industrial Relations Commission or trade unions - dictating to farmers and their employees how a farm should operate...
- Preview Independent Contractors’ Kit 2007 (PDF 282.3 kb)
The NFF has developed an Independent Contractors’ Kit to provide farmers engaging contractors with an overview of what is, and is not, an independent contracting arrangement. The kit follows independent contracting legislation in 2006, affirming the right of contractors to a commercial relationship with farmers, rather than a deemed employment relationship. The kit includes a valuable checklist of key indicators of a contracting, as opposed to employment, agreement and some key information about the obligations arising from engaging independent contractors...
- Preview Workplace Relations Reform Briefing Paper (PDF 199.6 kb)
In February 2005, the NFF released its policy on the future directions of workplace relations - as they pertain to agricultural production - in Australia...
Interface between Agriculture and Mining
The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) and the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore and develop a national framework of principles for integrated land use planning and management between agriculture and mining...
Immigration Liaison
In 2005, the National Farmers' Federation (NFF) successfully seconded a Liaison Officer from the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship to assist farmers in matters relating to skilled migration.
The inability to fill skilled positions from the domestic labour market is an urgent and ongoing issue for many Australian farmers. The NFF's Immigration Liaison Officer can guide farmers through the visa mechanisms to facilitate sponsoring skilled workers from overseas and access the specific regional concessions available to farmers.
In 2007, following this extremely successful secondment, and recognising the continued need Australian farmers have in seeking foreign workers, the NFF lodged another successful bid for an Immigration Liaison Officer on secondment from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
As of 5 November 2010, Suzanne Gillham fills the position of the NFF's Immigration Liaison Officer. Her role is to continue assisting farmers in understanding their options regarding the employment of foreign workers, and to assist farmers with working through their visa requirements, including specific advice on visa sub-classes created specifically for agriculture.
Suzanne is based at the NSW Farmers’ Association in Sydney, although the NFF's Immigration Advisor is often on-hand around Australia - attending field days; shows; and council, state farming organisation and commodity group meetings; to meet NFF members...
Contact
Suzanne Gillham
NFF Immigration Liaison Officer
Level 25
66 Goulburn St
Sydney NSW 2000
(GPO Box 1068
Sydney NSW 2001)
Phone: (02) 8251 1700
Mobile: 0403 395 154
Email:
Fax: (02) 8251 1750
More Information
For further guidance on employer obligations when taking on overseas employees, visit the compliance page on the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
Moreover, it is essential for farmers to ensure that any workers from overseas that they may employ are lawfully entitled to work in Australia. This can be done quickly and easily online at: Visa Entitlement Verification Online Service. Further enquiries can be directed to the NFF Immigration Liaison Officer...
- Preview 457 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF 86.5 kb)
The NFF has long promoted skilled and general migration as one facet in addressing regional labour shortages. This pamphlet provides an outline of skilled migration and seeks to answer some common questions...
(Further information is available by contacting Fiona Clarke, Immigration Liaison, who is based at NSW Farmers’ Association).
- Preview Changes to the Working Holiday Maker Visa (PDF 25.3 kb)
The NFF's Fact Sheet, released in October 2005 ahead of new arrangements coming into effect for the scheme from 1 November 2005...
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