From Friday, authorised workers in more than 30 industries will have to have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or have a valid medical exemption, to continue to work on-site, and be fully vaccinated by November 26.

Despite the mandate prompting urgent clarification from agricultural industry groups, Lubeck farmer Graeme Maher said he, and other farmers he has spoken to, have not been impacted by the requirement.

"We haven't noticed anything. I was talking to a couple of friends at a ram sale and they have never been busier," he said.

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"As preparation, we are doing everything in our power to make a normal season possible.

"Vaccination is just like getting a ute serviced, that is the way I look at it. It is part of the requirement and it is one thing we can do to help ourselves."

Murra Wurra farmer David Jochinke said most farmers he had engaged with had received the vaccine, but was looking to clarify how the vaccine mandate would affect contractor work.

"Getting contractors to submit their information is something we are looking at for this upcoming harvest because contractors aren't necessarily employees," he said.

"There is a bit of a grey area in what I need to do as a person engaging them to ensure they have their own processes in place. We are looking into that at the moment."

Under the new rules, further penalties may be imposed on employers for OHS offences, as unvaccinated workers may put other workers at risk.

Mr Jochinke said it was unclear whether farmers had to make sure contractors, who weren't technically employees, had been fully vaccinated, or if the impetus was on the contractors themselves.

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"There is a lot of grey in this discussion and I am definitely taking the cautious approach and asking more questions than I probably should. I hope it is all done in good faith and that the health order covers me in my OHS and FairWork obligations.

"There are a lot of unknowns in this whole scenario, the only thing we can do is seek clarity on what legislation wants us to do. In the interim, as a farmer, we just need to make sure that we are going a bit over the top, a bit cautionary because we don't want to wrong-foot anyone."

In the 2021/22 harvest season GrainCorp will operate a strong COVID-safe protocols to reduce the possibility of a positive case entering one of its sites.

General manager of operations Nigel Lotz said any authorised worker who refused to get vaccinated would not be allowed onto a GrainCrop site.

"GrainCorp is fully complying with the Victorian Government's mandate for all Victorian-based staff, so this means that any authorised worker who chooses not to get vaccinated will not be permitted onto our sites in Victoria this harvest," he said.

"We're implementing several other strong protocols for growers and drivers delivering to our sites this harvest, as well as for our staff.

"Masks must be worn at all times when on site, and this rule applies across all states.

"The delivery process will once again be contactless, to help us minimise contact between drivers and GrainCorp staff, and a QR code check-in is mandatory.

"Staff on site will segregate as much as possible to ensure that, if there is a close contact or positive case, we have a better chance of remaining operational."

Mr Lotz also said the company would be actively keeping track of any potential close contacts.

"If anyone visiting our sites tests positive to COVID-19 or is a close contact and has been to a GrainCorp site, we please ask that they notify the relevant Site Manager as soon as possible," he said.

"We're keeping in regular contact with our growers and ask they do the same with us, to help us respond quickly and effectively to potential COVID-19 cases.

"At the end of the day, we all need to play our part in this mission and we're doing everything we can ensure our sites remain safe and operational."

The Victorian Farmer's Federation, in partnership with other agricultural industry groups, has published a letter calling on the Victorian government to provide clarifying information on unfair dismissals and employee obligations.

The group encouraged farmers to meet with their employees and consult with them on the necessary requirements.

Employers who do not comply with the mandate could face fines of up to $109,044 for businesses, and $21,808 for individuals.

For more information on employer obligations, visit the VFF's vaccine requirement information page.

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