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Pre-departure Briefing Introduction. Team leader Australian living conditions Immigration, customs and quarantine Australian working conditions Costs, expenses and deductions Travel arrangements and accommodation Expectations
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Pre-departure Briefing Introduction
Team leader Australian living conditions Immigration, customs and quarantine Australian working conditions Costs, expenses and deductions Travel arrangements and accommodation Expectations Taxation, superannuation, health insurance, workers’ compensation Visa conditions Laws in Australia Pre-departure briefing – what will be covered?
Pre-departure briefing is important for all Pacific seasonal workers, as it helps to prepare them for their time in Australia.
Team Leader • The team leader is very important • The team leader should be: • A responsible person • Respected by the group • Someone an Approved Employer can communicate with on all matters • Able to speak English well
Airfare to Australia • Your employer will pay for 55% of PNG workers’ airfare to Australia and back. • You will need to pay your share (45%) during the time you are in Australia. • Employers will make a deduction from your pay to cover your part of this cost. * You may have to pay for food on the plane
Your Visa Conditions You must comply with your visa conditions. • You are only allowed to stay in Australia for the period of time stated on your visa. • You cannot apply for another visa while in Australia. • You may only work for an organisation which holds a special program agreement for seasonal work in Australia (your employer) • You must have private health insurance.
Your visa says… • Condition 8107 – The visa holder must not cease to be employed by the employer in relation to which the visa was granted. • Condition 8501 – The visa holder must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia. • Condition 8503 ‘No further stay’ – Prevents visa holder from applying for another visa except under exceptional circumstances.
One employer, one industry You are in breach of your visa if: • You change employers without Australian Government approval • Work in any industry other than horticulture • If someone asks you to work as a mechanic, shop attendant, builder… etc you must say no.
If you breach your visa… • Your visa could be cancelled • If you visa is cancelled you can be detained and removed from Australia • If you are removed, you may not be able to return to Australia for up to 3 years
Leaving Australia temporarily • Multiple-entry visa - you can return home at any time at your own expense • Workers need to be aware that any time spent away will reduce overall earnings.
Arriving in Australia • When you arrive in Australia, have the following documents ready for clearance: • passport (visa) • incoming passenger card • Your documents will be returned to you after processing and you can collect your luggage from the baggage hall and proceed to the baggage examination area.
Customs restrictions You may not bring into Australia: • Illegal drugs (Penalties for drug offences in Australia are severe and could result in a jail term) • Counterfeit goods
Declaring Goods • There are penalties for not declaring illegal and restricted items and for making false declarations on your passenger card. Be honest!!!
Quarantine • Dangerous: food, plant material, animal products • Exotic pests and diseases can be hidden • If a dangerous item is not quarantined, it can be devastating to Australia
Declaring Goods • You must tell Customs if you have been in a rural area You must present to Customs: • Food • Plants • Animals • biological goods • Protected wildlife • wildlife products * We advise that you do not bring any food with you
Transfer by bus • You will probably be met at the airport by your Approved Employer or a representative. • You may be transported from the airport in Australia by bus to the area where you will be living and working, and back again at the end of your stay. • Your employer is able to recoup up to $100 per worker for this cost.
Your employer will give you an on arrival briefing Accommodation tour Shopping tour Taxation, superannuation, health insurance, opening a bank account Employment laws, wages and deductions Setting up bank accounts Community welcome, daily living in Australia, health and wellbeing, law and justice Workplace induction and transport arrangements to and from work On-arrival Briefing
Visits from other organisations • During your on arrival briefing you may be visited by • Local community members (police, community leaders, health workers etc) • The Australian Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman (to discuss your employee rights) • The union (to offer you an opportunity to become a union member – this is not compulsory) • Westpac (to provide you with banking information)
Australia can be hot and dry, different from Pacific Northern states are warm all - southern states get cool winters It can also get very cold Snow falls on the higher mountains in winter Australia’s climate
Clothing • You will need to be prepared for a range of temperatures: • Warm and sunny • Very hot • Cold and windy • Rain
Work on the Farm could be… Picking fruit, vegies or nuts Pruning Using equipment
Working hard • Make sure you represent your country well • Work hard while you are in Australia – this is an opportunity for you, your community and your country • If you work well: • You could earn more money (depending on your pay structure) • You may be asked to return • Your employer may want more workers from your community, PNG or the Pacific islands • The Pilot gains a reputation for having productive workers If you are not productive you could be sent home!
Appropriate clothing • Your employer will take you shopping to buy work clothes • Suitable for weather conditions • Suitable for workplace • This cost will be deducted from your pay • Your employer will also help you to buy non-work clothes.
Personal Protective Equipment While working, it’s important that you wear clothing and equipment to keep you safe and protected. This is a requirement by law. Your employer will help you purchase these and will probably deduct the cost from your pay.
Difference between Employer and Grower • It is important that you understand that your employer is the person or company who pays your wages and not necessarily the grower whose farm you work on. • The Approved Employer who provided you with a letter of offer and conducts your on arrival briefing is your employer. • For some workers, your employer may also be the grower…
Your employer, supervisor, team leader Problem? Talk to… • Team leader • Supervisor • Employer • Pilot information line (Australian Government phone) No-one will get into trouble for asking questions or raising issues! Team leaderSupervisor Employer
Deductions from workers’ pay Employers can, with your permission, deduct expenses from your wages: • A percentage of the international airfare cost • Health insurance • Accommodation costs • Initial set-up costs • Food • Pay advance • Transport to and from work • Provision or replacement of personal protective equipment • Chest x-ray and visa fees *All costs are outlined in your letter of offer or requested only with your agreement
Payslips • Workers will receive payslips which identify what has been deducted. • They will all be different but below is an example:
Expenses • You have the potential to earn a lot of money in Australia, but the cost of living can be high also. • Workers will have many costs to pay for while living and working in Australia. • Your employer will be deducting some of these from your pay.
Cost will vary depending on your accommodation. Your employer will select your accommodation The cost will be deducted from you pay. Keep it clean and tidy Accommodation After you arrive and settle in Australia, you may wish to change your accommodation but talk to your employer. - Cheap alternative accommodation may not be as viable as you think!
Cooking and cleaning • You will have access to kitchen and laundry facilities at your accommodation and will need to be able to cook and wash for yourselves. • You may want to shop in a group and cook in a group to save money and time • Cooking and cleaning is best shared around the group, so work is equal
Put it in the bin! • There are laws against littering and polluting. • Australia takes pride in it’s unique environment and we all help to keep it clean. • Spitting in public places is not acceptable.
Staying tidy in your community • You need to be tidy in your community. • Don’t litter – put rubbish in the bin • Keep your accommodation area clean and tidy • Don’t leave cigarette butts on the ground – they should go into a rubbish bin
Every day transport arrangements • During your time in Australia, you will need to get to and from work each day. • You will also need to get to shops and recreational facilities. • Your employer will provide this transport and may deduct this from your pay.
Food shopping • You will need to shop for food and shopping in Australia can be very different from the Pacific. • Your employer will help you get started • - Buying on sale • EFTPOS payment
Shopping… • With a new disposable income you may be tempted to spend your money on buying new goods: • Consider! • What will be suitable to take home. Will it work in PNG? • Will you have to pay excess baggage to get it home? • What was your financial goal – try to save your money to achieve it!
The cost of incidental items • While you are a Pacific seasonal worker you can expect to pay for ad hoc items: • Toiletries (shampoo, soap) • Phone calling cards to ring home • Recreational activities such as rugby fees
Calling home • Calling home can be expensive • Limit your calls and time • Consider the cheapest options • Calling cards • Pre-paid mobile phone • Calls from PNG to Australia • Your employer will help you learn about what is available in your new area.
Health insurance in Australia is very important! A requirement under the Pilot and a visa condition. Medical costs can be very expensive – health insurance could save you from getting huge bills Health insurance may not cover all you health expenses and it is important to be aware of any extra costs you might have to pay. Health Insurance
Multicultural Indigenous heritage 21 million people Australia
What is Culture? • Culture is "the way things are done" in our community and our understanding of why they are done this way. • Differences in culture can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.... and might be one of the challenges you will face in coming to Australia to work.
Culture in Australia • In Australia people of all ages, religions, colour and backgrounds have the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else. • Men and women have the right to be treated equally and to have the same opportunities.
What might be different? • In Australia men and women may dress differently. Women will tend to wear more revealing clothes that show their arms and legs. • Public displays of affection are common in. • Breast feeding in common in public places in. • In Australian culture consumption of alcohol is common, however it is not really acceptable to drink until you pass out every time you drink • No spitting • Buai is not available in Australia
What might be different • When you are at work your boss might be a man or a women or someone younger than you. • Respect in Australia is not based on age or family ties or your position in the family.
