Author: Liam Palmer

For many across the agriculture industry and those residing in rural and regional areas of Qld and NSW, 2019 has been a year of great challenge.

Living through the most severe drought on record and battling the subsequent fires, only touches on what people, families and businesses are enduring in these tough times – many are our clients, some are family and others, our friends.

At Agri Labour Australia, we have seen firsthand what’s been taking place across the industry and while it has and continues to be difficult, there has been a great deal of positivity that should also be acknowledged as we reflect on 2019.

We attended the National Farmer’s Federation Conference in October, where it was great to see so many key representatives showing their support for the agriculture industry. It was also exciting to be there for the launch of the Australian federal government’s vision of $100billion in farm output by 2030, as announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

The Department of Agriculture also announced this year that it will fund $100million each year in projects and activities to enhance the drought resilience of Australian farms and communities. This critical initiative will commence in July 2020.

One key learning the team at Agri Labour Australia have taken away this year, is the importance of working together – not just as a business, but also as a community.  This cohesion and determination is something we have been seeing all over rural areas, where, in many cases, business owners are sharing staff and thinking of smarter ways to keep their operations going.

The resilience and spirit of these communities is impressive and we urge everyone to continue to show support by buying Australian produce and visiting rural and regional towns when you can.

This year saw us open new offices in Tasmania and our hometown of Goondiwindi. Our presence on the ground in these places has already proven positive with new partnerships and we look forward to continuing to build on this exciting part of the business in 2020.

Next year marks the ten year anniversary of Agri Labour Australia. We are proud of how far we’ve come and are looking forward to sharing and celebrating this milestone with our team.

At this end of year juncture, Agri Labour Australia wishes everyone a safe and happy festive season with the highest of hopes for rain and abundance across the entire Australian agriculture industry in 2020.

When done right, the recruitment process should be a seamless one. It should be a collaborative engagement that sees your recruitment consultant working with you to source the best candidate solution for your business.

We see and hear firsthand, the frustrations of clients and candidates who have been through a recruitment process and left dissatisfied with the outcome – falling foul to a recruiter whose mindset is about the ‘deal’ and not the people.

Being pushed in a direction that you’re not comfortable with or given the ‘hard sell’ approach on a candidate are strong indicators the recruiter working on your behalf is not genuinely focused on your business.

Tim Chapman General Manager, Permanent Recruitment, says, ‘Personally, I think it’s really important to be transparent throughout the whole process. If a candidate references poorly then it’s vital to let your client know this. Being honest and working with clients to identify their business needs and challenges develops long term, trusting relationships that lead to more work. Focusing on a quick deal does just the opposite.’

The Agri Labour Australia Consultative Approach

We do things differently at Agri Labour Australia. Like our clients, we are selective about who we bring into the team, their skill set and experience – how they fit with our company culture and their ability to work collaboratively with clients.

We have an extensive talent database and our team are constantly building relationships with potential candidates and expanding our networks to capture the very best applicants in the field.

Equipped with in-depth market knowledge, our capability within the agriculture sector is unrivalled. Our business founders and many of our consultants are from agriculture backgrounds giving us both a grass roots and professional perspective of Australian agribusinesses. It’s this authenticity that sets us apart from the rest.

Our aim is to work with you, delivering tailored solutions that see us applying all our resources to ensure clients get the best candidate available.

Here’s what you can expect from your recruitment consultant at Agri Labour Australia:

• In-depth market knowledge
• Market mapping and competitor analysis
• Tailored approach to your needs
• Collaborative approach to the job brief
• Transparency
• Access to a wider network for placements
• Advanced interview techniques
• Emotional intelligence
• Authentic and genuine in their approach
• Committed to your relationship
• Works quickly and is solutions focused

Engaging a professional who you feel comfortable with and who genuinely understands your business will deliver you greater longer term outcomes – saving you time and money and finding you skilled staff who add value to your business.

Goondiwindi Regional Manager, Michelle Smith joined the Agri Labour Australia team in September. Michelle’s country roots,  extensive knowledge of the agriculture industry and genuine love of the land have proven to be a perfect fit for our clients and the business.

The following article was published in the 15 November Edition of the Goondiwindi Argus and provides some great insight into Mchelle and the exceptional skills she brings to the Australian agriculture industry.

You can read the full article on Michelle here.

October is National Work Safe Month – a great initiative from Safe Work Australia delivering this year’s message of ‘Be A Safety Champion’.

Agriculture is an exciting industry that offers a wide range of opportunities all over the country. Like many others, agriculture jobs can pose a wide range of risks and hazards that see workers exposed to heavy machinery, chemicals, animals, noise, dust, sun exposure and other extreme elements along with accidents involving power tools, falls and factory equipment.

There’s no doubt work risks can be high but with tighter laws now in place, real improvements to workplace safety statistics are being evidenced across Australian agriculture. The ‘Be A Safety Champion’ campaign raises awareness and further supports those all-important government regulations that see employers being accountable and legally obligated to uphold safety compliance standards for their workers.

However, it’s not just employers who hold the responsibility of safety – it’s workers, managers and those visiting the business who also have a requirement to take reasonable care at all times. As the campaign states, ‘Anyone can be a safety champion and promote best practice work health and safety initiatives at work. We all have a duty and responsibility to build a safe and healthy workplace.’

Dedicated to Safety

Safety is our number 1 priority at Agri Labour Australia and something we continuously work at improving. As at December 2019, our Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIFR) has reduced by 68% since 2015/16 and our Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIFR) has reduced by 48% in the same time.

Agri Labour Australia, Managing Director, Casey Brown says, ‘While it is positive that our statistics are improving, they still need to be better. We are continuously refining and reviewing our safety processes which sees us now ensuring our candidates only go into workplaces that are compliant and meeting all the necessary safety regulations. Our stringent induction processes make sure our workers are fully trained in their safety responsibilities and skilled in identifying and mitigating those potential risks.’

For more information on how you can ‘Be A Safety Champion’ visit WorkSafe Australia

Merryn Gilham has been a valued member of the Agri Labour Australia candidate team for almost one year. Initially registered with an external job service provider, Merryn applied for a role through ALA and has been doing a fantastic job since ever since.

Working at the Costa Group Mushroom Exchange in Spreyton Tasmania, Merryn has been selected to be our Candidate Conversation by Tasmania Area Manager, Melissa Britt because of an outstanding work ethic and exceptional attitude to her job – proving that age is no barrier to being a great employee.

What are the main tasks you perform?

Harvesting mushrooms to the required size and grade according to specifications and packing to a good quality and presentation into boxes.

What’s the best part about your job?

The challenge of doing something, which I have not done previously and continually endeavouring to do the work quickly, efficiently and to the company’s standards.

What skills have you learned since joining the Agri Labour Australia team?

Time-management, organisation, thinking ahead and working in a team environment where the work each person does impacts on others.

What is the most challenging part of your work?

Not to be complacent, to continually aim to do better than the day before.

What are your career goals?

As an older employee approaching retirement, my message is to assure an employer that if a potential employee shows interest, demonstrates a willingness to work outside their skillset, there is good reason to employ mature age employees and those from diverse work backgrounds.

How have you grown as a person since working with us?

I am not sure how I have grown or changed as a person, but the experience has given me the ability to be flexible in a work routine, which then relates to life in general.  Similarly, anticipating and taking the least number of steps to perform a task efficiently, but more quickly.

What would you tell other people who are considering working for Agri Labour Australia?

ALA is a very good intermediary between workers and the host company.  Their Account Manager is able to relate equally to employees and the employer and resolve any concerns, misunderstandings or problems.  Plus, correspondence and payroll information received from administration is responsive and clear, which is great, especially for new employees.

Where to from here?

Whilst there is a place for me in my current employment, I would hope to remain with ALA and with the host company to see what level of competency I am able to achieve.

Favourite place in Australia and why?

Without hesitation, Tasmania! Our little island at the bottom of the world still has large areas of unspoiled wilderness, accessible and beautiful coastline, beaches, lakes, rivers and mountains and a ‘clean, green environment.  I’ve noticed more in recent times that there are more people from other backgrounds coming here, creating a diverse multi-cultural communities which reflects so positively in many aspects of life.

Tasmania’s primary industry is now diversifying in to grapes, berries, poppies, pyrethrum, dairy products, seafood and all the commercial and artisan food and beverage products that so many people love. I’m a very proud Tasmanian and am excited by the continuing and very positive economic, employment and tourism future for this wonderful state!

Spring has arrived in Australia and in the more northern areas of the country, so has a distinct change in season. Noticeably warmer days with the sun allowing for earlier starts and later finishes, Spring is the season that marks an abundance of growth and activity across the Australian agriculture sector.

While the absence of spring rain and ongoing drought has most certainly made things challenging for many primary producers, the demand for workers remains high and the team at Agri Labour Australia have been busily recruiting a range of skilled staff for our many agriculture clients.

From machine operators for the much anticipated North Queensland mango season and forklift drivers servicing the Australian grain harvest in NSW, down to citrus workers in Victoria and vegetable pickers in Tasmania – farms all over the country are hugely active at this time of the year.

Spring also sees the arrival of many overseas backpackers looking for work – it’s a great time of year to start building skills for the harvest trail or other farm work while travelling and enjoying the diversity of this amazing country.

With over 300,000 people employed within the Australian agriculture industry, it is one of the largest industries in the country and provides a countless opportunities for those seeking to find work within the field.

Casey Brown, Managing Director, Agri Labour Australia says, ‘Australia’s has over 394 million hectares of farmland located in vastly differing geographies and climate. This in itself allows for diversity of produce all over the country and delivers a constant demand for agriculture workers across all states and territories at any given time of the year, most especially in spring and summer.’

Whether it’s horticulture, livestock, poultry or one of the many other industry areas within agriculture, Spring is an exciting time for agribusiness and paves the way for the bumper summer produce that is just around the corner.

This week officially heralded the beginning of the Bushfire season with fires affecting every state and territory of Australia – most significantly in South East Queensland and around the NSW border.

These devastating fires that fiercely damaged homes and land in Stanthorpe, Mt Tamborine and Peregian Beach over the last week are very much a part of the ongoing drought that’s been challenging rural and regional communities in Queensland, NSW and South Australia since the start of 2017.

With hotter than normal temperatures over the last two summers and drier than usual winters – Australia’s annual rains have failed to arrive in many of our major farming areas and, as the drought goes on, the threat of fire increases drastically.

The continuing drought has a major impact on the agriculture sector – from livestock, wool and dairy jobs, to vegetables and grain, with farmers everywhere experiencing huge challenges as they try to maintain production with little or no water.

Partnering with our clients who range from family owned farming operations to ASX listed agribusiness, the Agri Labour Australia recruitment team are always at the forefront of the industry and seeing the changes in demand for workers in some areas.

While Victoria is set for a bumper crop, according to the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), the annual Australian Grain Harvest in Queensland will be down 60% less than its ten year average and NSW, more than 50% less.

This kind of economic impact resulting from drought is far reaching – businesses, families and workers are all hurt financially, followed by the impact on their rural communities and the diminishment of key services such as education, retail and medical in those areas.

For those of you who have friends and family affected by the fires and this epic drought, we urge you to lend your support through these tough times.

In the spirit of R U OK? Day on 12 September, it’s a good time to make a call or pay a visit to see how our rural and regional friends are really doing.

The Australian poultry industry is a thriving one. It is also one of the industries that doesn’t fall ‘foul’ of the issues so many other crop and livestock producers experience with seasons, weather and other environmental factors affecting their output and profitability.

The stability of the poultry industry is just one of the many reasons why it’s an excellent field to pursue a career in.  It’s this continuity across industry that allows for longevity in jobs, which in turn develops individual skill sets and opens pathways for legitimate career progression.

While disease has been an issue in the past, the strict Australian biosecurity measures and animal welfare standards now in place do an excellent job in protecting the industry, its workers and the birds – making it a great choice for people looking at safe and steady employment options.

The Australian poultry industry also offers excellent renumeration with many employers often provide great wage incentives and employment packages for staff that include accommodation, vehicle plus a great salary as a starting point.

Candidates who are considering a career in the poultry industry don’t need trades or a specific skillset. Tim Chapman, GM Permanent Recruitment, Agri Labour Australia says ‘The Poultry industry is one where you can really build your career and earning capacity quickly. For those just starting out, we welcome people who display good common sense and a great work ethic. For management roles, you need to be a forward thinker, skilled in people management, equipped with computer skills and good with numbers.

Tim adds, ‘We have also seen some of our ALA workers transition into management roles over the space of twelve months.  It’s all a matter of being able to quickly pick up the skills they needed, showing a commitment to the job and being proactive at all times.’

What Can You Expect to Earn in the Poultry Industry?

• Farm Hand                 $45 – $50K
• Farm 2IC                     $50 -$70K
• Manager                      $70 – $90K
• Site Manager              $90 – $110K
• Operations Manager $100 – $130K
• State Manager            $130 – $140K
• General Manager       $150K +

At Agri Labour Australia we’ve been working with some of the country’s largest egg and chicken meat producers for over a decade, delivering a range of employment solutions for their needs. From broiler farms and breeders, to rearing and laying across traditional and organic organisations – we know the industry inside out and work with the best operators in the business. Stay tuned for poultry hire & poultry recruitment updates.