Industrial relations
New Pastoral Awards
Most of the new federal Pastoral Awards commenced on 1 January, 2010.
The new Pastoral Award covers all broadacre industries, including for the first time grain growing enterprises. The PA will also cover farm hands and shearers.
While traditionally the awards pertaining to broadacre agriculture fell under state Awards, including the Station Hands’ Award and the Shearing Industry Award, the Queensland government ‘referred it’s powers’ to the Commonwealth on 19 November 2009, meaning that these vocations now fall under federal powers.
All incorporated businesses will commence using this Award on 1 January, 2010 (including shearing).
For all unincorporated businesses (sole traders, partnerships, etc) the federal Pastoral Award will not take effect until 1 January 2011. Until then these businesses will adhere to the transitional arrangements which is the current state Award.
The new Pastoral Award contains an ‘award flexibility clause’ which allows both employers and employees to vary certain provisions to meet individual needs pertaining to:
• Working hour arrangements
• Over time
• Penalty rates
• Allowances; and
• Leave loading
Despite what the AWU are claiming, the rates for shearing for those under the PA will continue as present until the 30th of June, 2010. There will be an increase as of 1 July, 2010 to compensate for the reduction in hours from a 40 hour week down to a 38 hour week. This will see an expected 5% increase in wages. Click here to see the transitional arrangements for the shearing award.
The NFF has been negotiating on behalf of members to ensure the best possible outcome in this situation.
Current Pastoral Awards
To view the current Pastoral Awards, and to see any changes to rulings of transitional amendments, please login to the members' area (via the Member Login button in the top right corner of the screen).