Horticulture Award Leave Entitlements

The Horticulture Award 2020 provides specific leave entitlements for horticulture employees in Australia, including annual leave, personal leave, and other forms of paid and unpaid leave with seasonal considerations.

Key Takeaways

• Annual leave: 4 weeks (20 days) per year
• Personal leave: 10 days per year
• Public holidays: As per NES and state calendars
• Shift loadings continue during annual leave
• Part-time and casual employees have specific provisions

Leave Entitlements Under the Award

Annual Leave

• 4 weeks (20 days) per year for full-time employees
• Pro-rata for part-time employees
• Accrues from first year of employment
• Shift loading continues during leave
• Cashed out on termination

Personal/Carer’s Leave

• 10 days per year for full-time employees
• Accrues from first year
• Evidence requirements apply
• Unpaid after exhausted entitlement
• Carer’s leave included in entitlement

Other Leave Types

• Compassionate leave: 2 days per occasion
• Family and domestic violence leave: 10 days per year
• Community service leave: As required
• Jury service: As required
• Long service leave: As per state legislation

Special Horticulture Provisions

Seasonal Work

• Leave scheduling around harvest seasons
• Advance notice requirements
• Coverage during peak periods
• Flexible arrangements possible

Shift Work

• Shift loadings: Continue during leave
• Early starts: Enhanced loadings
• Weekend work: Penalty rates
• Rostered days off: Treated as leave

Casual Employees

• Loading: 25% casual loading
• Annual leave: Not entitled (loading compensates)
• Personal leave: Not entitled
• Public holidays: Entitled if would have worked

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Full-Time Horticulture Worker

• Entitlement: 4 weeks annual leave
• Shift loading: Continues during leave
• Application: 2 weeks notice recommended
• Approval: Employer may refuse on reasonable grounds

Scenario 2: Seasonal Worker

• Entitlement: Pro-rata based on employment period
• Calculation: Based on actual employment
• Leave scheduling: Around seasonal requirements
• Application: As per full-time process

Scenario 3: Casual Horticulture Worker

• Entitlement: No annual leave
• Loading: 25% compensates
• Public holidays: Entitled if rostered
• Termination: Loading paid out on termination

Compliance Checklist

• Award coverage confirmed
• Leave entitlements documented
• Shift loading during leave calculated
• Public holiday provisions applied
• Part-time calculations correct
• Casual loading documented
• Evidence requirements communicated
• Record keeping maintained