Hiring and keeping great talent on your farm doesn’t have to feel like a constant uphill battle. In fact, with the right approach, it can be one of your strongest advantages. According to our 2024 State of the Farmer report, over 50% of Australian respondents hired two or more employees last year, and of all employees hired, nearly two thirds (64%) of those hires were casual, part-time, or seasonal workers. This mirrors broader industry trends, where sectors like horticulture and broadacre farming increasingly rely on non-permanent labor, especially during peak seasons such as harvest and planting​. Post-COVID life has also reshaped the agricultural workforce. Labor shortages and the return of international workers have intensified the need for farms to develop strong strategies for hiring, onboarding, and retaining seasonal workers​.
This growing trend of non-permanent staff highlights just how crucial it is to have strong strategies in place for hiring, onboarding, and retaining top talent. Whether you’re working with international seasonal staff or looking to keep young workers on board, we’re all in this together, and we’re here to help you get it right!
1. Growth is the new paycheck
Today’s workers aren’t just looking for a paycheck—they want a future. If you can offer training, career progression, new networking opportunities or a chance to learn new skills like getting a truck license or attending field days, you’re not just hiring someone for the season—you’re building a team for the long haul.
2. Transparency trumps surprises
No one likes to be sold the dream, only to find they’re stuck doing backbreaking fencing work for months on end. Be upfront about the reality of the job, whether it’s long hours, repetitive tasks, or working remotely for extended periods. Setting clear expectations from the get-go builds trust and loyalty—and in farming, that’s everything.
3. Nail the onboarding experience
Getting your onboarding process right isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for retaining your on-farm hires. In Australia, where agriculture often relies on seasonal and part-time workers, creating an effective, structured onboarding process can also be key to keeping workers engaged, especially as the sector faces labor shortages. Team-friendly farm management tools like AgriWebb can help streamline this process! Interactive farm maps and real-time task assignments can help hires quickly familiarise themselves with the operation, understand who’s responsible for what, and access key farm data in real-time. When workers feel prepared and connected, it sets the foundation for a successful working relationship right from the start.
4. Pay matters—and right now, ag wages are looking good
Let’s not beat around the bush—ag wages are on the rise. If you’re offering competitive compensation, including shift work bonuses and overtime, you’re already ahead of the game. With the increasing demand for skilled labor, especially during harvest, it’s a prime time to show workers that farming can be as lucrative as it is rewarding.
5. Make your farm the place to be
Let’s face it: farm work can be tough, but your farm can also be the place where people love to show up. The first step? Comfort. From decent accommodation to thoughtful benefits like free fuel, covering utility bills, or offering work gear (who doesn’t love some good swag?), these simple perks make a big difference in attracting top talent. And when you throw in a food allowance or home-cooked meals, you’re not just providing a job—you’re offering a lifestyle.
6. Your tools say a lot about you
No one wants to drive a rusty old ute when the job could be made smoother with modern tech. Ensuring your gear, machinery, and farm management tools are up-to-date sends the message that you’re serious about efficiency and care about your team’s comfort. When your farm works like a well-oiled machine, your workers will too.
7. Work hard, and smart
We all know farming involves its fair share of repetitive tasks, but tech can ease that burden. By using tools like remote water monitoring or grass measurement tools, you free up your workers to focus on the more engaging tasks—and everyone benefits from a boost in productivity.
8. Stay connected with tech
When your team is spread out over different parts of the farm, communication can make or break the day. That’s another place where AgriWebb’s team and task management tools come into play. With real-time task updates, easy communication, and access to the latest data, everyone knows what’s happening and when. It’s about keeping your farm running smoothly, making sure your team is in the loop, and giving them the tools to succeed.
9. Tap into Aussie-based resources to recruit
There are plenty of Australia-based platforms that can help you find the right talent while giving back to the next generation of farmers who will keep our industry thriving in the future. Check out:
- Ag Careers start for your opportunity to train tomorrow’s generation of farmers
- AgriLabour Australia for recruitment across all regions
- FarmReady Hub to offer training and support for your team
- Rural Jobs Australia for targeted rural and ag job postings
Hiring and retaining great farm talent is easier when you’ve got the right strategies in place. From competitive wages to fostering a positive culture, together we can make your farm a place where people want to stay, grow, and thrive. And with the tools and tech that AgriWebb offers, you’ll be managing your team with confidence, knowing you’re set up for success—today and into the future. 🌱
Keen to learn more about AgriWebb’s team and task management tools? Check out this webinar recording.