Agriculture / Horticulture Workplace Cases
Australian workplace decisions in the agriculture / horticulture sector — underpayment, award compliance, dismissal, and Fair Work Ombudsman enforcement.
33 agriculture / horticulture sector cases on file. Ask the AI advisor about your situation — Plus, Pro, and Business members get answers grounded in these decisions.
FWO v the Respondent t/as Earthcare Urban Farming
FWO-LIT/2025-2026/luke-courtney-chamberlain-t-as-earthcare-urban-farming/2026-06-19
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) took action against the Respondent for non-compliance with a compliance notice and failing to provide payslips. The details of the specific breaches are not outlined in this document.
the Applicant v Green Drake Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Grey Unit Trust Trading AS Grey Farming
[2026] FWC 1934
the Applicant commenced employment with Green Drake Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Grey Unit Trust Trading AS Grey Farming. The matter concerned whether the Applicant was dismissed. the Commissioner heard the application.
the Applicant v Australian Livestock Farms Pty Ltd and others
[2026] FWC 1913
the Applicant commenced proceedings in the Fair Work Commission. The case concerned an application under section 365 of the Fair Work Act. The Fair Work Commission found there was no dismissal in this case.
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2026-01-27-korserv-litigation-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Korserv Pty Ltd, a Queensland-based labour hire provider, and its manager, the Respondent. This action follows an audit of pay rates at a strawberry farm in the …
the Applicant v Central AGRI Group Pty Ltd
[2026] FWC 2596
the Applicant lodged an unfair dismissal application with the Fair Work Commission on November 7, 2025. She stated she worked for Central AGRI Group Pty Ltd from July 10, 2025, and was dismissed on October 30, 2025. The …
the Applicant v Agri-Labour Australia Pty Ltd
[2026] FWC 2848
the Applicant sought an unfair dismissal remedy from Agri-Labour Australia Pty Ltd (Respondent). His dismissal took effect on May 22, 2026, and the application was filed three days late. The Commission issued directions …
Application by "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) (188V)
[2026] FWC 3299
The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) applied for a protected action ballot order under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009. This application relates to employees of GrainCorp Operations Limited. Another u…
the Applicant v Ridley Agriproducts Pty Ltd.
[2026] FWC 3096
the Applicant was dismissed from Ridley Agriproducts Pty Ltd on April 23, 2026. He filed an unfair dismissal application on May 28, 2026, which was 14 days outside the 21-day limit. the Respondent objected, arguing no ex…
the Applicant v Royal Agricultural Society of NSW
[2026] FWC 2604
the Applicant applied for and received a letter of offer for casual usher work at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Easter Show in March 2025. The offer was subject to an expiry date and electronic signing via …
Application by Norco Cooperative Ltd Trading AS Norco
[2026] FWCA 1845
Norco Cooperative Ltd, trading as Norco, sought approval for the Norco Co-operative AgriSolutions Enterprise Agreement 2025. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA) and Transport Workers’ Union of …
Application by the Applicants
[2026] FWCA 1752
the Applicant, an employer in the agricultural industry, sought approval for a single-enterprise agreement called the AN & SN Fisher Enterprise Agreement 2026. The application was made under section 185 of the Fair Work …
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2025-12-17-bulmer-farms-litigation-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Bulmer Farms Pty Ltd, a vegetable farm in Lindenow, Victoria. The farm allegedly underpaid 28 migrant workers from Kiribati, Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2025-09-19-mccrystal-agricultural-penalty-media-release
McCrystal Agricultural Services Pty Ltd, a Queensland labour hire business and sweet potato farm, and its sole director Russell McCrystal, have been penalised for unlawfully deducting pay from migrant employees. The Fair…
FWO v McCrystal Agricultural Services Pty Ltd and the Respondent
FWO-LIT/2025-2026/mccrystal-agricultural-services-and-russel-mccrystal/2025-09-01
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) pursued legal action against McCrystal Agricultural Services Pty Ltd and its director, the Respondent. The case involved non-compliance with a compliance notice. Specific details regarding t…
[2025] FWC 668
[2025] FWC 668
the Applicant, a director of the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society Limited, alleged she was bullied by the Society's President, John Contarino. She applied to the Fair Work Commission for an order to stop the bullying. The…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2025-01-23-rj-cornish-eu-media-release
R J Cornish & Co. Pty Ltd, a fruit grower in Cobram and Muckatah, Victoria, made unlawful wage deductions totaling $126,859 from the wages of 112 employees between July 2017 and June 2024. The deductions were for power l…
the Applicant v Vegie Bandits Pty Ltd
[2025] FWC 3585
the Applicant brought an application for an unfair dismissal remedy against Vegie Bandits Pty Ltd. The Fair Work Commission found the application was not made in accordance with the Fair Work Act. Deputy President Easton…
the Applicant v AGUNITY PTY LTD
[2025] FWC 1601
the Applicant brought an application for an unfair dismissal remedy against AGUNITY PTY LTD. The Deputy President considered whether the dismissal was unfair, noting that the company failed to comply with consultation ob…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2024-09-26-mccrystal-litigation-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against McCrystal Agricultural Services Pty Ltd, a Queensland labour hire business and sweet potato farm, and its sole director, the Respondent. The company operates und…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2024-09-17-lamattina-penalty-media-release
A & G Lamattina & Sons Pty Ltd, a celery producer based in Boneo, Victoria, has been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court for underpaying three migrant employees. The employees, who held bridging visas and s…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2024-05-09-sawdy-penalty-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated Troy Malcolm Sawdy, a sole trader operating Sawdy Pastoral Company in central Queensland, after receiving requests for assistance from three workers. The workers were employed between…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2024-04-29-lotus-farm-penalties-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated Lotus Farm Pty Ltd, a tomato and cucumber farm in Werribee South, Victoria, after receiving requests for assistance from two former employees. The employees, who were pickers and pack…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2023-10-18-ag-omnibus-october-2023-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has conducted inspections of 447 agriculture businesses across 15 regional areas of Australia since December 2021. These inspections targeted areas with a high risk of non-compliance. The FW…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2023-09-28-brownport-eu-media-release
Brownport Almonds Pty Ltd, trading as Bright Light, a large almond grower and processor in Hattah, Victoria, has back-paid over $500,000 to 197 current and former employees. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after rec…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2023-08-30-lamattina-litigation-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against A & G Lamattina & Sons Pty Ltd, a celery producer based in Boneo, Victoria. Three farmhands who held bridging visas and spoke Indonesian and Malay, alleged they …
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2023-07-05-nq-powertrain-penalty-media-release
NQ Powertrain Pty Ltd, a labour-hire company based in Far North Queensland, has been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The company admitted to breaching workplace laws by underpaying 87 visa holders a to…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2023-06-27-lotus-farm-litigation-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Lotus Farm Pty Ltd, a tomato and cucumber farm in Werribee South, Victoria, and its director, the Respondent. Two former employees, both Vietnamese-speaking work…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2023-05-05-ag-omnibus-may-2023-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman is focusing on compliance within the agriculture sector. Since December 2021, inspectors have investigated 330 businesses in regional areas, including the Whitsunday Coast, Adelaide and Adelaide H…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2023-03-06-printpot-litigation-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action against Printpot Pty Ltd, a wheat farm operator in Carinda, New South Wales. A farmhand worked for the company from July 2018 to February 2020. A Fair Work Inspector issued …
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2023-03-01-bunbury-ag-audits-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman conducted surprise inspections of approximately 20 farms and labour companies around Bunbury, Western Australia. The inspections targeted businesses in Manjimup and Donnybrook. Inspectors assessed…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2022-11-04-nq-powertrain-litigation-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against NQ Powertrain Pty Ltd, a labour-hire company based in Far North Queensland. The company allegedly underpaid 87 visa holders employed under the Pacific Labour Sch…
Fair Work Ombudsman
FWO-2022-07-08-schneider-penalty-media-release
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured a penalty against Jessica Lee Schneider, who operates Vengeance Performance Horses near Geelong, Victoria. Two young workers, aged 16 and 21, were employed part-time at the horse training …
Fair Work Ombudsman v Eastern Colour Pty Ltd (No 2)
[2014] FCA 55
Between 2008 and 2012, several fruit pickers worked at a farm owned by Eastern Colour Pty Ltd (Eastern Colour) in Applethorpe, Queensland. The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) alleged that Eastern Colour failed to pay overtime …
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