Agriculture

Compliance for Farms, Agribusinesses & Agricultural Operations

Australian agricultural businesses must navigate award wages, biosecurity obligations, chemical licences, and environmental rules. Reguladar makes it easy to see what's due and when.

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Common Challenges

Compliance pain points for agriculture businesses

Seasonal worker and award compliance

The Horticulture Award and Pastoral Award set complex piece-rate and hourly entitlements for seasonal and permanent workers. Getting pay rates wrong for seasonal workers is a common — and expensive — compliance failure.

Biosecurity obligations

Farmers must comply with national and state biosecurity legislation, including livestock movement permits, pest and disease reporting, and on-farm biosecurity plans. Failing to report a notifiable disease can attract serious penalties.

Chemical use and licensing

Agricultural chemical application requires appropriate licences, records of use, and compliance with withholding periods. Contaminated produce entering the food supply chain can expose operators to significant liability.

Regulations

Key regulations that apply to you

These are the primary regulatory frameworks Reguladar tracks for agriculture businesses.

Horticulture Award / Pastoral Award

Minimum wages, piece rates, and conditions for agricultural workers

Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) and state equivalents

Livestock and plant disease reporting, movement controls, and on-farm obligations

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act

Registration, labelling, and use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals

Environmental Protection Acts (state-based)

Land clearing, water use, chemical runoff, and environmental approvals

Work Health and Safety Act

Farm safety, machinery operation, and hazardous chemicals

Fair Work Act

Employment conditions, leave entitlements, and workplace rights

Deadlines

Never miss a compliance deadline

Reguladar tracks all your recurring obligations and alerts you before they're due.

ObligationFrequency
BAS lodgementQuarterly or monthly
Superannuation guaranteeQuarterly
Workers' compensation renewalAnnually
Chemical use licence renewalAnnually or triennially (varies by state)
Water licence renewalsVaries by state
Land management plan reviewPeriodically or on condition change
Biosecurity compliance recordsOngoing

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What award covers my seasonal fruit-picking workers?
Most seasonal horticultural workers are covered by the Horticulture Award 2020. This award allows piece rates as an alternative to hourly rates, but only under a valid piece-rate agreement that guarantees the worker will earn at least 15% above the applicable minimum hourly rate. Piece-rate underpayment is a common audit target for the Fair Work Ombudsman.
What are my biosecurity obligations as a livestock farmer?
You must comply with national livestock identification requirements (NLIS), report any notifiable diseases to your state biosecurity authority immediately, and maintain movement records for livestock. You may also need to implement a Property Biosecurity Management Plan depending on your state's requirements.
Do I need a licence to apply agricultural chemicals?
Licensing requirements for agricultural chemical use vary by state. Many states require a Chemical Use Accreditation (or equivalent) for commercial application. You must always follow label directions, observe withholding periods, and keep records of chemical applications. Records may be required to be retained for up to 2 years.

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