The local reality
The challenge is both filling roles plus sustaining attendance, stability and productivity at scale to keep production high and costs down.
local unemployment = not enough locals to fill roles
Among top regional NSW for job ads
Intense competition in food processing, construction, mining & renewables
Accommodation & housing under pressure
Why the traditional model struggles
It's a leaky bucket with:
Baiada's solution - the PALM scheme
RWM partners with
Baiada
to deliver a reliable, engaged workforce recruited from Pacific nations and Timor-Leste via a staged ramp up aligned to Tamworth’s schedule. It will target one third of the 700+ new roles (assuming the remainder is combination of skilled and local employees). Workers will be mobilised in structured two week increments to ensure smooth onboarding and operational stability, scaling to 250 within six months.
RWM can complement
Baiada’s
PALM workforce with local and backpacker staff to fill any gaps, while also supporting permanent back office roles.
About the PALM scheme
Regional Workforce Management (RWM) is proud to be the largest provider under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme where Baiada may recruit workers for up to four years.
RWM can deliver a fully compliant, end to end workforce solution that removes complexity for Baiada, with in country welfare support that improves integration, communication and workforce stability.
workers deployed to date
turnover, lower than the industry average at 61%
lower absenteeism than the industry average at 8%
Case study: Brisbane based poultry plant
Problem
A major poultry processing facility handling 34K+ broilers annually (20% of Queensland’s production) faced high turnover and difficulty retaining staff, which was impacting productivity and operational efficiency.
Solution
RWM implemented a PALM workforce solution tailored to the facility’s scale and needs:
employees on site at peak
dedicated site managers overseeing PALM workforce
workers completed formal training - Certificate II and III in Food Processing
“We need you to keep doing exactly what you’re doing because it’s working. It reduces the burden, admin burden and cost associated. There’s so much extra care and attention that goes into the program that people don’t see.”
Andrew, HR Business Partner, Manufacturing client
Our clients
Let's catch up
RWM’s CEO Brad Seagrott, Cultural and Welfare Officer Pa Enari or Mick Seduadua and I will come to Baiada’s office of choice to meet and discuss the opportunity to partner further.
