Seasonal Worker Incentive 5 Dec 2017
Does your industry need short term horticultural labour during seasonal peak times, such as harvesting?
Would they like to employ a ’local’ person but have found it hard to attract them?
The Australian Government has now made it easier for unemployed people to undertake seasonal horticultural work. Under this trial unemployed people can earn up to $5,000 per year without losing any of their income support payments. They can also receive a Living Away and Travel Allowance of up to $300 per year if the work is more than 120 km from their home.
Qualifying seasonal horticultural work includes harvesting and packing of crops (such as vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, hops, nuts, fungi, olives, flowers, broad acre crops, sugar and sandalwood), pruning and trimming vines and fruit trees, thinning and trimming flowers, chipping and weeding, operating harvesting equipment, planting, irrigating and siloing.
There is no paper work for the employer, beyond what is required under current workplace laws. Employers are required to provide workers with a payslip, employer payroll summary or piece rate agreements & tally sheets.
An interested business can contact their favourite employment services provider (https://jobsearch.gov.au/serviceproviders) for help finding candidates or find further information on the Department of Employment’s website at: www.employment.gov.au/seasonal-work-incentives-trial.
If you require further information or have any queries, please contact with Paul Etheredge as per the details below:
T: 08 9361 2800 (Monday - Thursday)
