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The Australian Centre for Agricultural Health & Safety (University of Sydney) has developed a new policy statement in relation to rollover protection devices for quad bikes.
This policy statement is accompanied by an update of the guide for use of quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles on Australian farms.
The policy and guide can also be downloaded from www.aghealth.org.au

17 March 2011

Supported Skills Recognition

Rural Skills Australia (RSA) is seeking expressions of interest to identify up to sixty (60) individual primary producers sourced through the NFF and its member bodies, commodity councils and affiliates to participate in an On-line Recognition of Prior Learning trial.

This trial aims to make skills recognition more achievable in regional Australia. Participants will have the opportunity to be guided through an online supported process whereby assessment of their skills, knowledge and experience can lead to formal recognition of their agricultural competencies in the form of qualifications at the Diploma or Certificate IV level. Each selected individual will be required to contribute $200 towards the costs of this initiative.

The trial will be conducted in the first half of this year, across five States: - NSW, VIC, SA, QLD and WA, and can involve up to twelve (12) participants per State.

Regional Skills Training Pty Ltd has been contracted to provide mentoring and assessor support. Interested individuals should forward their contact details to admin@ruralskills.com.au by 25 February 2011, noting their location and membership details or contact Rural Skills Australia on 1800 647 798 for more information.

View promotional flyer
14 January 2011

Sunbeam Future Farmers Fund to go again in 2011

Rural Skills Australia (RSA), in conjunction with Sunbeam, is delighted to announce that the Sunbeam Future Farmers Fund, launched in October 2009, will continue in 2011. This year, 27 employers from across Australia, together with 43 of their Production Horticulture Australian Apprentices were successful in securing sponsorship payments through the Sunbeam Future Farmers Fund.

The Sunbeam Future Farmers Fund aims to give apprentices a great start in a rural career, offer much needed support to our farmers and importantly, maintain the vital skills base that will keep our agricultural industry healthy.

The program provides a financial incentive to selected apprentices on completion of their studies and financial support to Australian farmers by contributing to the cost of their apprentices undertaking Production Horticulture qualifications at the Certificate II, III or IV level.

Applications will be accepted from employers from anywhere in Australia of full-time, part-time and school-based Australian Apprentices undertaking Production Horticulture qualifications at the Certificate II, III and IV level – closing on 30 April 2011. The program is open to all growers, not just those within the Sunbeam network. However, those successful in receiving sponsorship in 2010 are not eligible to reapply.

More information, including 2010/11 Application Forms, is available online at: www.ruralskills.com.au. Prospective applicants can also contact Rural Skills Australia on 1800 647 798.

View official media release here
15 November 2010

NSW Farm Worker Safety Induction Program

Brochure here
4 August 2010

NSW State Award Traineeship Wage Rates

Trainee wage rates for the following awards have changed.
Rural Traineeships (State) Award
Dairying Industry Employees (State) Award

Detailed information of these changes here
2 February 2010

Tools For Your Trade (TFYT) Payments

From 1 January 2010 Australian Apprentices undertaking Agriculture and Horticulture qualifications may be eligible for the Tools For Your Trade (TFYT) payments that fall due during the nominal term of their qualification (but no less than the first 2 payments). The final payment, payable upon successful completion, will only be paid for short nominal duration qualifications in cases where the date of completion does not fall at the same time as a previous payment.

Full article here
11 November 2009

Traineeship Wage Rates for NTW and Fair Pay Commission - Level C (effective 1 October 2008)

See document here
29 October 2008