Fair Farms programme credited with driving improved compliance rates across Queensland’s fruit and vegetable sector, as industry-led initiatives prove more effective than regulatory enforcement alone
Queensland’s horticulture industry has been recognised as a national leader in workplace compliance, following the release of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Horticulture Compliance Report 2021–2024.
The report, which examined more than 500 horticulture employers across 15 hotspot regions across Australia, found that Queensland’s Wide Bay and Moreton Bay regions recorded the lowest non-compliance rates in the country.
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) CEO Rachel Chambers said the report shows what the industry can achieve when it leans into accountability and takes ownership of its reputation.
“Queensland growers have shown real leadership in lifting employment standards across the board,” she explained.
”These results reflect the effort of growers who are committed to doing the right thing; not just because it’s the law, but because it’s good for business, good for workers, and good for the future of our industry.”
Chambers noted that a key contributor to the state’s success has been Fair Farms, the QFVG-led, industry-owned programme that provides growers with the tools, training, and confidence to meet their workplace obligations.
The programme offers nationally delivered training, tailored support, and an independent certification pathway.
“The results speak for themselves,” she said. ”Where Fair Farms is active, we’re seeing higher rates of compliance from employers.
“This is what’s possible when industry sets the standard rather than waiting for enforcement. It’s also what’s possible when you educate and support employers in the complexities of operationalising workforce law.
“It’s no surprise – though still concerning – that in the absence of national labour hire licensing standards, we continue to see issues in the labour hire sector,” Chambers continued.
”In fact, 91 per cent of infringement notices issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman were directed at labour hire providers.
”This data reinforces our long-standing support for a national labour hire licensing regime,” she emphasised.
”Queensland’s results speak volumes: the state leads the way thanks in part to its established and effective licensing system. And once again, rather than waiting for reform, QFVG is stepping up.
“”Through the Fair Farms programme, we introduced a dedicated certification for labour hire providers earlier this year – leading the change where it’s needed most,” Chambers added.
QFVG said it will continue to work closely with growers, supply chain partners, and government to drive standards and ensure that the gains made in Queensland become the benchmark for horticulture across Australia.
