Australian Mangoes together with our best practice resource (BPR) partners, as part of the project Building Best Management Practice Capacity for the Australian Mango Industry—MG1700, have developed a COVID-19 Grower Guide and hosted webinars for NT growers (recording available here) and QLD growers (recording available here).

The COVID-19 Grower Guide is also available in Vietnamese here.

If you have any feedback or suggestions, we welcome hearing from you; please get in touch with our Communication Manager, Niamh Sullivan (com@mangoes.net.au).

Australian Mangoes work plan

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Australian Mangoes team have largely worked remotely (from home) for the past few months. We are well set up to work remotely and this has not caused any significant disruptions to our work schedule. As restrictions start to ease, some team members are now transitioning back into our offices. All returning staff are practicing social distancing and maintaining good hygiene. Anyone showing signs of being unwell will not return to the office until they have received medical clearance. Our team will continue to monitor and enact all procedures as recommended by the Australian Government in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including travel restrictions and quarantine periods. We also have contingencies in place to ensure we can continue delivering services to our industry stakeholders and will provide updates on specific project deliverables as necessary.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.

For now, if you need to contact us, please call us on our mobile or send us an email, rather than calling the office line. All of our contact details are listed here.

Border closures/easing restrictions

National Cabinet met on Friday, 8 May to discuss easing of restrictions. Click here to read the media statement for a summary of information. Please note different states and territories have their own plans in place that complement the national plan.

Border controls remain in place for the NT, QLD and WA, but different regulations apply to different states. We recommend visiting your state government website for further information (details below). For most states a COVID-19 Management Plan must be approved by the Chief Health Officer (CHO).

Please see the links below for state specific information:

  • NT­–click here. NT Farmers have developed a COVID-19 Management Plan Template and Guide, which growers are encouraged to submit if your operation has more than 10 staff. For the NT’s roadmap to easing restrictions click here. Anyone travelling to the NT should complete this border arrival form no more than 72 hours before arrival. People arriving that have not coming from a designated hotspot are free to travel around the NT with no restrictions. Those coming from a designated hotspot (list available here) are required to complete 14 days of supervised quarantine at Howard Springs. This will incur a $2,500 fee and workers arriving from hotspots are unable to quarantine on a farm, even if the business has a COVID-19 Management Plan or Safety Plan.

  • QLD–click here. Queensland Government has also set up a specific page regarding entry passes for agriculture. For Queensland’s roadmap to easing restrictions click here. Anyone entering QLD that has been in a declared hotspot within the last 14 days, including time in any part in the state of Victoria, must undergo mandatory quarantine in a hotel at their own expense for a minimum of 14 days. Further details are available here.

  • WA–click here. For WA’s roadmap to easing restrictions click here. Phase four of the WA roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions is now underway and the state’s remaining travel boundaries have been lifted. Further information can be found here.

Business arrangements

Audits

  • Click here for Freshcare’s advice on options and requirements for audit rescheduling, deferment and certificate extension, specific to businesses whose certification may expire during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • HARPS are encouraging growers and suppliers to continue with any scheduled audits. However, if an audit does require deferral growers should contact their certification body in writing with a reason why you need to defer. For further information click here.

Import and Export

  • The Federal Government has announced additional export funding. A fact sheet is available here.

  • An International Freight Assistance Mechanism fact sheet has been developed for exporters.

    • Exporters need to be registered to access this service.

    • If you are interested in participating you can register your interest by completing and submitting the form available at haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/international-freight-assistance. IMPORTANT: If you have already submitted an EOI before 16 April 2020, please note that you will need to resubmit the form with additional information. This additional information will inform which air freight routes are prioritised by the IFAM. 

    • Click here for more details on available flight routes and links to recorded briefing sessions, as well as other information.

    • It is recommended exporters send all their physical export documents, including government-issued phytosanitary and health certificates, with their consignments.

  • DAWR have issued the following Industry Advice Notice regarding disruptions to plant export services. Please visit this page if you are planning on exporting this season.

  • The Federal Government has issued the following Industry Advice Notice regarding the requirement to notify of COVID-19 cases.

Labour

See below for an important announcement from the Federal Government and resources available to access labour or advertise vacancies.

National

  • The Australian Government announced on Saturday, 4 April temporary changes to visa requirements to help farmers access the workforce they need to secure Australia’s food and produce supply during COVID-19. It is important to note that before moving to other parts of the country, working holiday makers will need to self-isolate for 14 days and register at the Australia.gov.au website. Those who do not comply will face having their visas cancelled. Click here for all the details.

  • The Seasonal Worker Program information line (Department of Education, Skills and Employment) can provide growers with further information about accessing seasonal migrant workers is 02 6240 5234 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

  • The National Harvest Labour Information Service (NHLIS) can also be contacted on 1800 062 332 (between 8am and 8pm EDT Monday to Friday), to list a vacancy on the Harvest Trail website. Click here for the latest update from NHLIS.

  • You can also advertise vacancies on the Jobs Hub.

State specific

There are also the following resources available at a state level.

  • NT– For information about the Territory Jobs Hub click here.

  • WA – For information about Jobs in WA Food & Ag click here.

  • QLD – For information about licensed labour hire providers click here.

Resources

The following resources are available for you to download, print and put up in your pack shed (also see below under food safety heading):

Succession planning

BDO, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, will deliver a series of webinars to provide you with expert support to help you minimise the impact and lead discussions on the key issues as they unfold.

  • To view recordings of past webinars or register for future webinars click here.

Supplies (PPE)

  • The Queensland Government has partnered with Brisbane-based Evolve Group to manufacture N95 face masks in Queensland. 60,000 units are now being produced everyday.

  • The Queensland Government is reaching out to manufacturers, suppliers and producers to identify supply chain gaps, to help keep production lines flowing and protect jobs. If you need assistance accessing supplies visit www.qld.gov.au/qld-supplies.

Workplace health and safety

  • For Workplace Health and Safety information: Click here or read these FAQs. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland have released a guide for the horticultural industry which is available here.

  • Safe Work Australia also has some great information on keeping workers safe.

  • For information/resources on mental health support please visit Queensland Health’s website or click here to find a mental health service. WA have also launched a website with some great resources.

Food safety

  • Advice from FSANZ (Food Safety Australia New Zealand) is that the virus is unlikely to be transmitted by food. The latest information on the website can be found here.

  • The latest newsletter from Fresh Produce Safety Centre has some great food safety information; including a series of videos that have been produced in multiple languages on handwashing.

  • Safe Food Queensland have also developed this guide which provides guidelines for reducing workforce impacts for farmers and producers.

Funding/support available/state information

National 

  • The Australian Government has passed legislation for the $130 billion JobKeeper Payment to keep more Australians in jobs and support businesses affected by the Coronavirus. Click here for more information or visit ato.gov.au/coronavirus where there is useful information for employees/employers on support available.

  • The Fair Work Commission has varied 99 awards to provide employees with two weeks unpaid pandemic leave and the ability to apply to take annual leave at half pay. This includes The Horticulture Award.

  • The Australian Government website for information related to the COVID-19 federal government response is: https://www.australia.gov.au/.

  • An announcement from The Hon. David Littleproud MP introduced Mark Tucker as the Senior Agriculture Industry Engagement Officer, to support agricultural production and supply chains through the COVID-19 response. Click here to read more.

State

There is other information and support available through local State Governments. Resources for our main growing regions are below, but check your local State Government websites for further information if you are outside of these locations.

For the latest information from the Northern Territory Government click here.

  • From Monday, 15 June, the Northern Territory will transition from mandatory, monitored quarantine to mandatory, self-quarantine. Click here to read more.

  • For information about business support click here.

  • Check media statements here for other relevant information e.g. support packages available.

  • The NT Government has created a COVID Safety Plan to help businesses address hygiene and social distancing practices. This is not compulsory but highly recommended. The simple online form can be found here.

For the latest from the Queensland Government click here.

  • Announcement: Easing of restrictions from the QLD Government. See the relevant information here.

  • The QLD Government has announced a five-point plan for seasonal workers which covers self-isolation, a health management plan, communication, and additional compliance measures, plus more. Further information is available here.

  • The Queensland Government has extended COVID-19 support to vulnerable multicultural communities in Queensland, announcing a dedicated $900,000 Community Connections Support Package for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. The package includes $283,000 in initiatives and $617,000 of boosted investment in existing programs. View more information on the announcement.

  • For information about business support click here.

  • Check media statements here for other relevant information e.g. support packages available.

  • For the dedicated Coronavirus (COVID-19) support for agriculture page click here.

For the latest information from the Western Australia Government click here.

  • Announcement: Easing of restrictions from the WA Government. See the relevant information here. Phase four of the WA roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions will commence on Saturday, 6 June. Click here to read more.

  • Check media statements here for other relevant information e.g. support packages available.

Other information covering multiple topics