First RCCIWA Members Forum of 2021 

Planning is already under way for the first Member Forum for 2021. We have not set the dates yet as we are waiting for the WA Parliamentary sitting dates for 2021 to be set. This should happen soon. We expect it to be held some time in mid-June. As soon as we have the dates, we will let you know. 

We have already spoken with several Members of Parliament, have secured a sponsor for our BAH (to be announced soon) and have our host Minister in place. 

For now, we are seeking your feedback on the speakers and content you would like to see over both days. Suggestions for particular topics and recommended speakers are encouraged.

Information from Tourism WA on what labour programs are available 
In the face of staff shortages in our sectors, Tourism WA has been taking a more active role in identifying and delivering workforce initiatives; These shortages are part due to border restrictions limiting access to Working Holiday Makers (WHMs), a rapid surge of intrastate travel and the increased rate of payments for Job Seeker/Job Keeper recipients.   Normally an estimated 8,000 WHMs would be in WA, however due to border closures, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has estimated that there are currently less than 5,000 WHMs in WA. 

We were approached by a Regional Development Commission for information about one of the options to fill critical labour gaps in the short term, i.e.  the Federal Government’s  Seasonal Workers Program (SWP)/Pacific Workers Program (PWP) that can bring in large groups of workers to WA, currently from (COVID free) Vanuatu and Fiji, and these Programs are accessible by the WA accommodation/hospitality industry. Therefore, we thought it would be timely to share the same information with you all in case it is useful. 

In WA, Melissa Denning is funded (by DPIRD), to assist agricultural and accommodation employers to access the schemes and is happy to be contacted for assistance: 

 Melissa Denning  
Labour Scheme Facilitator 
West Australian Vegetable Growers Association Inc. 
702-704 Murray Street, West Perth WA 6005  
T 08 9486 7515  M 0477 477 044 
E melissa.denning@vegetableswa.com.au  W www.vegetableswa.com.au 

Please be aware that it can take up to 6 months for a business to be approved to participate in the SWP and here is a link to the application form.

Ellen Smith, DPIRD, recently confirmed that  the Pacific Labour Facility / DFAT has indicated that if there were sufficient demand from new employers through their online expression of interest process, it would help them to make an argument to redirect more resources to processing new Approved Employer applications, and hopefully speed up approvals. EOI form here.

The PLS process for approval can take around 3 months and here is a link to the form to express interest.

It is possible to access workers through an already approved employer, i.e. a labour hire company, as is the case for many regional Australian agriculture sector employers, and Michael Fryszer  is happy to assist WA hospitality/accommodation businesses, to consider securing workers through the aforementioned programs. 

Michael Fryszer – Founder & Managing Director 
The Connect Group 
mfryszer@theconnectgroup.com.au 
Mob:  0417 347 716 

Michael’s business is an approved employer, and The Connect Group  is very experienced in sourcing workers through these Programs. 

Other approved labour hire companies who can access the Scheme and may potentially provide  WA Accommodation employers with workers include: 

• The Job Shop – Andrew Coldbeck – 0427 703 851 – SWP & PLS – has experience placing workers with hospitality employers & I will be pleased to arrange an e-intro to him if desired. 

• Owen Pacific – Grant Owen – 0429 585 356 – SWP & PLS  

• FIP Group - Nakita Lima - 0408 897 567 – PLS only – currently recruits for Meat Processing 

There is also some general information on the programs here. 

RCCIWA Administrative Items for Members 
To assist us with keeping our website and communications as up to date as possible can you please send to Emmi at  admin@regionalchamberswa.com.au the following: 

• Any changes to your contact details, particularly following your AGM. Please also let Emmi know if you have any committee members or general members that you would like added to the newsletter and we will pop them on the distribution list.  

• Your new logo if you have refreshed or changed it recently. 

• Any activities, initiatives or events you would like us to include in our weekly newsletter. You will notice that we like to include member showcases in our newsletter that features a great idea, program or event that  our members are delivering. If you have something you would like us to share – please send through the details to Emmi at admin@regionalchamberswa.com.au  

• Any events you would like added to our Facebook Events Page. 

• Just a reminder that as a RCCIWA Member you have access our resource library that contains a wide variety of documents from all of our members. This is a great reference point to refer to when planning events, setting up polices or updating your own collateral. Please email Emmi if you need access to the portal. We are regularly uploading documents however to keep it current, could you please email Emmi at  admin@regionalchamberswa.com.au any documents that you are happy to share with your fellow members. We will assume if you send it to us that you are happy for us to upload this on the members only access section of our website. Please send in pdf format (and in the smallest size you can), documents such as: 

  • Your Constitution 

  • Your Strategic or Operational Plans

  • Membership Forms, Membership prospectus 

  • Member Benefits flyer 

  • BAH information 
  • Sponsorship information 
  • Directory information 
  • Business Awards Information 
  • Job and Position Descriptions, HR documents 
  • Events information 
  • Policies and Procedures 
  • Commmittee Induction pack