Powering Baiada’s Tamworth expansion with workforce certainty
Baiada’s $300M expansion in Tamworth delivering new and upgraded facilities and creating 700+ jobs by April 2026 represents a major growth milestone. In a region already operating at near full employment, securing a stable workforce at scale becomes the critical success factor.
Reliable, confident, trusted - from the ground up
In industries like food and agriculture, seasonal demands, skill shortages, high turnover, absenteeism and reliability issues are putting pressure on businesses productivity. Rising operational costs and the complexities of food safety and regulatory standards make it even harder.
But you don’t have to face these challenges alone. From the heart of regional Australia to cities nationwide, RWM is here to support you with hands-on expertise and genuine understanding of your needs. With over 20 years experience in regional Australia, we specialise in filling hard to find roles, bridging skill gaps and reducing turnover.
Let us carry some of the load, so you can save time and money with a productive, reliable and engaged workforce.
Powering Baiada’s Tamworth expansion with workforce certainty
Baiada’s $300M expansion in Tamworth delivering new and upgraded facilities and creating 700+ jobs by April 2026 represents a major growth milestone. In a region already operating at near full employment, securing a stable workforce at scale becomes the critical success factor.
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:
High turnover
Absenteeism volatility
Constant retraining
Increased overtime
Supervisory overload
High turnover
Absenteeism volatility
Constant retraining
Increased overtime
24/7 pastoral care
RWM’s site and cultural welfare teams provide 24/7 welfare support, prioritising workers emotional and religious wellbeing.
Labour market testing and recruitment
Conducting in-country interviews, information sessions, physical assessments and medical tests, ensuring a seamless process.
Immigration and visas
Handling immigration compliance, handling documentation and visa applications and coordinates with the Labour Sending Unit.
Travel and mobilisation
Arranging flights to Australia and transportation to host employer, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey.
Worker induction and onboarding
Thorough induction during their first week, including health checks and vaccinations to ensure workers are prepared for their new role and environment as well as to prioritise worker wellbeing.
Accommodation and transport
Provides safe, comfortable and convenient accommodation and reliable transport for an easy commute to work.
Personal finance and insurance support
We assist workers settling in, offering advice on managing finances and sending money home.
24/7 pastoral care
RWM’s site and cultural welfare teams provide 24/7 welfare support, prioritising workers emotional and religious wellbeing.
Labour market testing and recruitment
Conducting in-country interviews, information sessions, physical assessments and medical tests, ensuring a seamless process.
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.
“We've had about a 98 percent retention rate since the introduction of PALM Scheme where previously turnover was about 180 percent.”
Andrew, RWM client
Regional roots, workforce solutions
Rooted in regional Australia, we bring local expertise to every business we support, understanding exactly what it takes to keep your operations running smoothly. While our origins are in the country, our reach extends nationwide – from small towns to bustling cities – offering flexible workforce solutions wherever your operations take you.
The PALM Scheme
Outcomes for Baiada
By partnering with RWM, Baiada can:
Rapidly scale to meet expansion production needs
Reduce labour costs, absenteeism and turnover
Have a stable, engaged workforce year on year
Have confidence that new facility in Tamworth opens fully staffed
The PALM Scheme
Outcomes for Baiada
Rapidly scale to meet expansion production needs
Reduce labour costs, absenteeism and turnover
Have a stable, engaged workforce year on year
Have confidence that new facility in Tamworth opens fully staffed
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
Outcome
Retention increased by 5% in 12 months
Employee engagement improved by 12%
Turnover reduced by 14%
Absenteeism at 1.8%
Outcome
Retention increased by 5% in 12 months
Employee engagement improved by 12%
Turnover reduced by 14%
Absenteeism at 1.8%
“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 NAME and I will come to Baiada’s office of choice to meet and discuss the opportunity to partner further.
Chris Braddon
Sales Manager
P 0482 936 652
E chris.braddon@rwmgroup.com.au
Paddock to plate and everywhere in between
We’ve walked the journey from paddock to plate and we’re here to support every step along the way.
Where regional know how meets nationwide support
Your one stop solution for all your workforce needs, offering flexible recruitment and hands on expertise from the heart of regional Australia to the bustle of metro cities.
Managed
workforce
Scale up confidently with local and PALM workers – flexible, reliable and ready to meet your operational or seasonal demands.
Permanent Recruitment
Find an exceptional fit – someone who shares your values, commitment and drive for long term success and growth.
International
(non-PALM)
Access skilled international workers and backpackers when locals aren’t available, building a reliable, hardworking team beyond borders.
Traineeships
Invest in your business’s future with tailored training and qualifications that build skills, confidence and long term success.
Our country foundations - your strength
We understand regional Australia like no one else
With 20 years of deep regional expertise, RWM connects businesses in all corners of Australia with local and international talent, whilst offering workers jobs tailored to their unique needs.
From paddock to plate, a variety of solutions
Flexible casual, permanent and international staffing solutions across the food and agri supply chain, saving you time and resources.
Australia’s largest PALM Scheme provider
Connecting local businesses with hardworking, reliable and engaged workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor Leste, fostering success that lasts.
Name
General manager
Building your workforce, driven by your unique story
Partner with RWM to create a reliable, skilled and adaptable team tailored to your business needs.
Contact Us
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Adrienne Ritchie
General Manager Sales
Adrienne Ritchie
General Manager Sales
Building your workforce, driven by your unique story
Partner with RWM to create a reliable, skilled and adaptable team tailored to your business needs.
Contact Us
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please try again later.
Adrienne Ritchie
General Manager Sales
Building your workforce, driven by your unique story
Partner with RWM to create a reliable, skilled and adaptable team tailored to your business needs.
Contact Us
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please try again later.
