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Hiring Good Quality Farm Labour

  • Year: 2005
  • Author: Nugent, Toni
  • Publisher: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
  • Published Location: Barton, ACT
  • ISBN: 1741512093
  • Country: Australia

An effective work force can make or break a farming business, so it is vital for farmers to place particular emphasis on the employment process. This report provides a guide for farmers looking to employ staff, both family and non-family, and

shows how adopting a professional approach can make the process of employing staff much easier.

Finding quality farm staff is not easy but according to Australian farmers the secret of recruiting and retaining quality labour lies in the professional standards of employers.

Farmers who take a professional approach are those who invest time and effort into their people, help build career paths, value employees as part of the team and pay competitive wages.

Cost is often a major deterrent when employing farm labour. For example, basic salary and benefits packages range from a minimum of $26,453 for a first year jackaroo, up to $49,000 for stationhands and from $32,000–$62,000 for overseers.

The red tape of occupational health and safety rules and other risks associated with employing staff also has deterred many farmers from expanding their farm staffing levels.

But there is a need to recognise that high-calibre and loyal staff are one of the most valuable assets in any farming business. 

This Research Report was put together to show farmers how to source farm labour and keep quality people once they are employed. It will aid the speed of adoption by farmers of proven and professional methods of sourcing, hiring and retaining quality farm labour.

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