Workers’ ‘fair go’ guarantee

CHANGES to Tasmania’s residential tenancy laws will soon give primary landowners the power to both terminate the employment of their farm workers and evict them from on-farm housing on the same day. 

The new regulations are part of the Primary Production Residential Tenancy Agreement Bill set to take effect on September 20. 

In response to these changes, Unions Tasmania and the Tenants Union of Tasmania submitted a formal recommendation to the State Government advocating for a four-week notice period for employees who will now be more vulnerable to sudden eviction and job loss. 

Their recommendation letter stated that: “in circumstances where the primary production employer has ended the employee’s contract of employment, a notice period of four weeks should be provided.” 

Primary Employers Tasmania executive officer Andrew Cameron emphasised that while the new laws allow for immediate eviction, it’s important for farmers to provide fair notice. 

“There is no place in our industry for those who don’t look after their workers and fail to treat them fairly. 

“We expect farmers to provide suitable accommodation for their employees and comply with the minimum standards set out in the Act under Part 3B,” Mr Cameron said. 

TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said the protections and safeguards against unfair dismissal as legislated by the federal government remain unchanged with amendments to the tenancy regulations. 

“Tasmanian farmers have in fact clearly expressed their desire to increase the supply of accommodation and tenancy options in the marketplace.” 

“Alongside other industry bodies, we are advocating for farmers to have the ability to fully house their workforces.” 

“While there are discretionary processes that allow for this, a reduction in red tape is necessary to enable businesses to better meet their workforce needs and address the housing concerns of workers,” Mr Calman said. 

Mr Cameron noted that many farms offer housing as part of employment packages and suggested that reasonable move-out periods should be made based on individual circumstances— for example, a week to 14 days for a single person with minimal belongings, and up to a month for a family with children and substantial furniture. 

“This is after the employment has stopped, so they aren’t actually working, and still in the accommodation without charge or even minimum rent. 

“The employees benefit through not having to commute and pay for petrol. 

“Due to a housing shortage when employees do leave, the farmer often stores their furniture without charge. 

“The changes will harmonise Tasmania with Victoria and NSW where they already exempt farmhouses, and any accommodation tied to employment, from their relevant legislation,” Mr Cameron said.