Farms in Australia in 2026 have many rules to follow. These rules help keep workers safe, paid fairly, and treated well. The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and other groups do more checks now. They want to make sure farm owners and labour hire companies do the right thing.
If you run a farm that grows fruits, vegetables, or other crops, you need to know these rules. Following them helps your farm run well. Not following them can mean big fines or other trouble.
2026 Regulatory Framework & Enforcement Entities
Checks on farms in 2026 look at more than just pay records. They check worker health, safety, and all records.
Main Groups That Do Checks
- Who does the checks: FWO team for farms, DEWR checks, Safe Work Australia for safety.
- Types of checks: Surprise visits to the farm. Checks with other groups, like tax office.
Rules You Must Follow
- Fair Work Act with new changes.
- Rules against not paying workers properly (can be a crime if on purpose).
- Safety rules with big penalties if someone gets badly hurt.
Joint Checks
Sometimes, inspectors from different groups come at the same time. For example, one for pay and one for tax. They look for hidden problems during busy harvest times.
PALM Scheme & Seasonal Work Specifics (2026 Update)
The PALM scheme brings helpers from calm islands and East Timor to work on Australian farms. In 2026, some rules are powerful to protect these all labors.
Important Rules for PALM Workers
- Minimum Hours: Companies must offer at least 120 hours of work over 4 weeks. This rule is now long time. If not enough work, you must pay extra to make up for it. Keep records to show this.
- Minimum Pay After Costs: Workers should keep a good amount of pay each week after costs like rent and transport.
- Housing Rules: You must have good, approved housing. Inspectors will come and check it.
- Moving to New Employer: Workers can change employers more easily if there are problems. This helps protect them but can mean you lose workers.
These rules make sure seasonal workers are safe and happy.
Also Read: Canada Caregiver Employers: Compliance Inspection Rules You Must Follow in 2026
Operational Compliance & “The Bedrock” Keywords
Inspectors can come any time without telling you. They want to see important papers quickly, like in 15 minutes. Keep all records on a computer or easy to find. If not, you can get a fine fast.
Pay Rules for Piece Workers
Many farm workers get paid by how much they pick (piece rate). But they must still get at least the minimum hourly pay.
- What inspectors look for: Records that show piece workers got enough pay to match hourly minimum. Pay updates each year, usually in July, with a small increase.
New Safety Rules for Dust (From December 2026)
New limits start on 1 December 2026 for dust in the air. This helps stop breathing problems.
- Limits for dust: Grain dust and similar: stricter new rules. Flour dust: even stricter.
- What you must do: Check the air and keep records. Give workers good masks and make sure they fit.
Penalties & 2026 “Deterrence” Strategy
Rules are stricter now. The focus is on stopping problems with strong actions.
Big Penalties
- Not Paying on Purpose (Wage Theft): If done on purpose, it can be a crime. People can go to jail. Companies pay very big fines.
- Small Mistakes in Records: Fines can be thousands of dollars for each problem.
- Mental Health Checks: Inspectors now look at stress, bullying, and help for workers’ minds.
Fix problems quickly to avoid big trouble.
Interactive Compliance Quiz: Are You Audit-Ready?
Try this easy quiz to see if your farm is ready:
- Can you show pay records for many years quickly?
- Have you updated pay after the latest changes?
- Do your seasonal workers get fair pay and good housing?
If you say “No” to any, work on it now. You could get checked soon.
In 2026, farm rules in Australia are about fair pay, safety, and good treatment for all workers. Keep good records. Treat workers well. Check official websites for the latest news. This helps your farm and your workers.
Disclaimer: This is just information to help you learn. It is not legal advice. Always check official sites like Fair Work Ombudsman or government pages for the right details.