Category: Agri Labour

As one of Australia’s leading agriculture industry recruitment companies we want to keep our workers safe.

Farms, factories, processing plants, logistics and other agribusiness have a high rate of workplace injury incidents and it’s something Agri Labour Australia are committed to seeing improved.

The nature of the work involved in the agriculture industry can lend itself to accidents that could easily be avoided if everyone took the issue seriously and committed to a culture of safety for themselves and their colleagues at all times.

Machinery such as tractors, quad bikes and forklifts are notorious for causing injury. This is a key reason why Agri Labour Australia ensure that only licenced and experienced operators are eligible for our roles. We also work closely with clients to understand their WHS processes and procedures and assist them in refining areas to prevent potential accidents to our candidates.

Here are the key tips we believe go a long way in keeping you safe so you can enjoy working in the Australian agriculture industry:

• Make sure you receive an on-site induction on day one!
• Wear the recommended PPE for your role at all times.
• If you think something is dangerous, report it to your supervisor immediately.
• Carrying or using your mobile phone while working in an agricultural role is generally prohibited – your Instagram story can wait!
• Many agricultural jobs are in a dusty environment – if you have any dust allergies or asthma it’s important that you are honest about this. It’s your health at stake!
• Be aware of any machinery operating (like a forklift or tractor) around you and keep clear
• If you are not trained and signed off to use machinery/equipment, you must avoid using it until you have been fully trained.
• Helmets on quad or other motor bikes are a necessity. The injury and death statistics as a result of the incorrect use of these vehicles is frightening.
• Safety procedures are there for you and your team mate’s protection – ensure you follow them.
• If you work outside – be aware of sun safety. The Australian sun is much harsher than other countries. Wear a hat, collared shirt with long sleeves, sunscreen and sunglasses (if permitted).
• If you see a snake, do not attempt to chase it away or pick it up – alert your supervisor immediately.
• Heat stroke can and does happen to anyone – keep drinking water at all times!
• Never forsake safety for speed!

Keeping safe sees you and your colleagues getting home at the end of the day.

For more information on work safety tips visit Safe Work Australia

We are pleased to announce the winner of our Instagram photo competition and $500 cash – it’s @seulkca with their winning shot of one of Agri Labour Australia’s hard-working blueberry pickers!

Arms laden with freshly picked blueberries from the orchard behind them, the vibrant and unmistakable blue of the Australian sky and the efforts of the picker plain to see, we think this shot captures the lot!

We had so many great entries in response to our competition. In the end, we raised $490 for Australia’s drought-stricken farmers through our charity partner Buy a Bale.

While the drought has eased for some, it’s still ongoing for many others. We urge everyone to get behind charities such as Buy a Bale to provide that much-needed support and relief to Australia’s farming communities at Christmas time.

Thank you so much to our entrants for all their incredible shots – it certainly wasn’t easy to choose just one winner!

For more information, contact Agri Labour Australia on 1300 247 823.

Working in the Australian agriculture industry is an exciting and highly rewarding experience where no two seasons are the same. Our country offers so much diversity in terms of crops, climate, incredible scenery and lifestyle if you’re willing to give things a go! There are also plenty of different types of farm work available, which keeps life interesting.

As one of Australia’s leading agriculture recruiters, we see many applications from job candidates each week. We’ve refined our processes for identifying the most suitable candidates for a job and the key attributes we look for when reading through applications.

Here are our tips for what makes an outstanding candidate and a few things to keep in mind when applying for an agriculture role:

 

Flexibility & Availability  

 Agriculture work is seasonal and can be extremely weather-dependent, which means job start and finish dates can vary greatly. As we say in the office: “Workers look to the recruiters, recruiters look to the farmers and farmers look to the sky.”

• Tip – Patience and flexibility is important and can often lead to other roles in the future if you are readily available and prepared to adapt to changing harvest and season demands.

 

Transport

Having your own car is a huge bonus when applying for agriculture roles. Your opportunities are greater due to your ability to travel instead of needing roles with onsite accommodation or relying on others to get you to work.

• Tip – Consider buying a car to increase your job choices and travel opportunities.

 

Licences & Qualifications

To legally operate machinery in Australia, you must hold relevant licences. Many employers are looking for people with experience in driving forklifts and trucks and are often prepared to pay more for those licensed skills.

• Tip – Obtain machinery licences/qualifications to increase your job options.

 

Honesty

Honesty pays off! As your recruiter, we would rather know upfront if you are unable to commit to a whole season or if you’re planning to move on. That way, we can find the right job to better suit your needs.

Some jobs require drug and alcohol testing, which can be problematic to you in the long term if you fail. If you’re unsure about this in any way, please talk to us so we can assist you through the process.

• Tip – Be as open and honest as possible with your recruiters. It will save everyone a lot of time in the long run. We are genuinely here to help and offer confidential discussions if you need us.

 

Here are some more quick tips to help you be a great candidate:

• Be reliable! Working hard, doing what you say you will and turning up on time each day will definitely help you stand out from the crowd.
• Be committed to the job – it can lead to better positions and long-term work relationships.
• Be prepared to work your way up. Performing well in a lesser role shows recruiters and employers you’re a willing worker who’s as an asset to any team. This is always helpful for future roles!
• Travelling alone makes it much easier to hire you.
• Always be polite – good manners go a long way in getting people to help you find work.
• Be positive and patient – recruiters will take note of your attitude.
• Don’t be too choosy – if you are contacted for a few work opportunities and don’t accept any, you may not receive further contact.
• Keep in touch with us regularly to show you’re keen to work.
• Be professional and maintain your working relationships.
• Ask for references or permission to contact your previous employers.

 

For more information and to apply for jobs with Agri Labour Australia, visit our job board or call 1300 247 823.

This year National Agriculture Day (Ag Day) is celebrating the ‘good’ Australian farmers do each year with their #GrowForGood campaign.

Our country enjoys some of the world’s best produce – with our farmers working tirelessly to provide us with the finest cotton and wool and readily available food that is safe and nutritious.

Australian farmers are among the most self-sufficient in the world – they don’t just grow crops or raise animals – farmers improve the sustainability of the land, donate to food relief charities and feed more people every year.

The agriculture industry provides short and long term employment opportunities for Australians and our international neighbours, while also significantly boosting the economy and populations of rural and regional areas.

In acknowledgement of Ag Day on 21 November and our significant role in agriculture recruitment across the country, Agri Labour Australia is hosting the ‘Ag-Limpics’. This one off special event will see the Agri Labour Australia team displaying their athletic skills in a range of events that showcase the produce and industries of some of our clients! The team will be participating in:

• Egg and spoon race
• Mushroom dexterity challenge
• Potato sack race
• Pin the tail on the pig
• Guess how many blueberries in the jar!

We’ll also be hosting a BBQ in honour of our beef farmers #GrowForGood

Click here for more information on National Agriculture Day!

With some of the country’s largest annual harvests about to commence and the need for agricultural workers more pressing than ever, the Australian federal government has announced changes to two visa programs in an effort to better support farmers and regional communities.

The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program will soon have some of its restrictions relaxed. From July 2019, visa holders (from subclass 417 and 462) will be able to stay in the country for up to three years – provided they complete six months of regional agricultural work during their second year. The Australian government is also allowing WHM visa-holders to work for the same employer for 12 months in response to increasing agricultural work opportunities.

Prior to the changes, Working Holiday Maker (subclass 462) visa-holders were only able to complete their regional days in Northern Australia. The new changes have opened up additional locations in Southern Australia that count towards the regional total.

This gives farmers an easier pathway for recruiting agricultural workers and will boost the economies of regional communities outside of Northern Australia. Increased numbers of workers across the country will be hugely beneficial for farmers, who will be able to achieve better continuity with crops and reduce the expense of training new workers.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, a total of 210,456 WHM visas (subclass 417 and subclass 462) were granted in 2017-18. As at 30 June 2018, there were a total of 134,909 WHM visa-holders in Australia.

These are significant numbers that are expected to grow with the introduction of the visa changes later this year. Backpackers have been a staple in agriculture recruitment for decades. By providing more flexibility and a greater scope for working and travelling across the country, the Government hopes these WHM visa-holders will be attracted to regional areas that were previously off limits.

Agri Labour Australia fully welcomes these changes, which enable us to more efficiently provide our clients with solutions to their agricultural worker needs in all regions of Australia.

November heralds the beginning of stubble and strange wispy chin hairs on men from all corners of the globe as they embark on their facial hair journey to raise funds for the Movember Foundation.

As the leading charity striving to change men’s health, Movember addresses some of the biggest issues faced by men, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

The Agri Labour Australia team is always keen to inspire, entertain and build awareness for a great cause, and Movember is one of their favourites. With male suicide rates, injuries and disease significantly higher in rural locations, the team at Agri Labour Australia are committed to assist the change through fund (and hair) raising for the Foundation.

We aim to raise $1000 by growing our our mo’s and for our fresh faces that aren’t quite up to the task we’ll also be participating in ‘Move for Movember’, where you can walk or run 60km during the month.

While men’s health remains a serious issue, Movember is a fun, easy and healthy way of raising money for a great charity.

Please help us reach our target by visiting https://moteam.co/agri-mo-australia?mc=1

Be sure to check out our ‘facial progress’ on Instagram

For more information on Movember, visit their site: https://au.movember.com/

Initial excitement in the farming sector about the introduction of an Ag Visa has been replaced with frustration for many farmers who are about to kick off their harvests.

With the new Ag Visa now unlikely to be introduced before next year, it is understandable some agribusinesses are concerned about how they will address pressing labour shortages before then.

The Ag Visa was proposed by the National Party to reduce restrictions on foreign workers coming into Australia and addressing chronic workforce gaps in the agriculture sector, particularly regarding seasonal unskilled labour.

The agriculture industry and the agriculture recruitment sector have long been lobbying for a dedicated Ag Visa to address the industry’s shortfall in workers.

The proposed Ag Visa was aimed at reducing costs and administration, which would simplify the process for Pacific Island and working holiday visa holders.

However, the new plan outlined by the Australian Government means once the new Visa has been introduced; farmers and agribusinesses will first have to register their work requirements with the National Harvest Labour Information Service.

If they are deemed eligible they will then be linked with welfare recipients who could be placed into the positions.

This new plan is problematic for farmers who need their agriculture recruitment requirements met in quick time for fast-approaching harvests. It is also an issue for farmers who cannot provide long-term work or a set number of hours each week.

The proposed plan also raises significant issues for larger agribusinesses, given the expense and time required to undertake large agriculture recruitment campaigns.

With time ticking on the upcoming seasons and workers needed now, Agri Labour Australia knows the demands that farmers face in trying to fill their staff vacancies and that they cannot wait for regulatory uncertainty to be clarified.

As Australia’s leading agriculture recruitment specialists, we understand the stress of harvest season and the needs of our farmers in the short and long term.

We are specialists at effectively and efficiently connecting large numbers of pickers and horticultural workers with businesses all over Australia through our harvest trail which allows our agriculture recruitment staff to engage workers for back-to-back roles.

When workers have work scheduled for the entire harvest calendar, they are motivated to stay the course and less likely to abandon a project if there are delays or if conditions change.

Agri Labour Australia is managed by a team of consultants who are committed to the ongoing success of our clients’ business and our candidates’ careers. We are dedicated to supplying employers with staff who are keen and work-ready.

Need staff for your upcoming harvest? Call 1300 247 823.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) Member and Family Transition Seminars are an excellent initiative by the Department of Defence. They are held throughout the year to assist defence members with transitioning successfully back into civilian life.

At the 23 October Seminar, Agri Veterans (a program developed by Agri Labour Australia) will be represented by our very own veteran, Tim Chapman. Tim will be there to chat with attendees about the various roles Agri Veterans recruits for and how effectively ADF skills translate into exciting and rewarding agricultural career options.

Like the land, Australian veterans lie close to our heart at Agri Labour Australia. We are genuinely committed to seeing our veterans connect their existing skills and capabilities to roles that provide stability, enjoyment and professional satisfaction.

Find Tim at the Seminar and talk to him about your possibilities!

When: Tuesday 23 October

Time: 9am – 4:30pm

Where: Townsville Entertainment Centre

For more information, visit: http://www.defence.gov.au/DCO/Transition/Seminars.asp or contact Tim Chapman at Agri Veterans on 0499 184 555

This week you’ll find Agri Labour Australia exhibiting at our very first BeefEx! Held from 8 – 10 October at Brisbane Showground’s Royal International Convention Centre and hosted by the Australian Lot Feeder’s Association, this is a major industry event aimed at all those involved in the grain fed beef supply chain.

With an established reputation for sourcing and supplying the best candidates around, Agri Labour Australia has placed 1500+ workers to the livestock industry since 2010, as well as a range of permanent roles, from Maintenance Technicians to Operations Managers.

As one of the leading suppliers of staff for the Australian livestock industry, members of our management team will be on hand to share their knowledge and provide expert advice on recruitment and workforce solutions.

Come and visit us at Booth 41!