Schedule A of the Horticulture Award has classification descriptions and indicative duties for Level 1 and Level 2 employees.

From 1 April 2025, the indicative duties for Level 2 employees include some of the duties that previously applied only to Level 1 employees. The duties are:

• performing general labouring duties
• fruit or vegetable picking, thinning or pruning
• operating small towing tractor engaged in transfer of produce bins and other containers during harvest
• performing a range of housekeeping tasks in premises and grounds
• performing basic recording functions related to work performed at this level.

Progression from Level 1 to Level 2

Level 1 employees must progress to Level 2 after no more than 3 months of industry experience.

Industry experience means experience within the horticulture industry. It’s not limited to experience with a single task, crop or employer.

3 months of industry experience

3 months means 3 calendar months. Employees aren’t required to work a set number of hours in the 3 months period.

Employees aren’t required to keep a record of their hours worked to show that they have industry experience.

Example

Masika started work at Compote Berry Farm on 1 October. She’s employed as a casual Level 1 fruit picker.

She spends October picking strawberries. In November and December she travels around Australia.

At the start of January Masika returns to Compote Berry Farm and picks blueberries. From February onwards she picks raspberries.

In March her employer reclassifies her to a Level 2 fruit picker, because she has 3 months' industry experience.

The following year, Masika works for a different employer, picking apples. She’s classified as a Level 2 fruit picker, because she already has 3 months’ experience.