One of the more challenging aspects of running a business is planning ahead to fill your labour needs. If your levels of production and your sales numbers fluctuate from month to month, you may have to find additional workers who can fill in on a temporary basis and help keep your operations stable. This is especially true in industries like agriculture, where the business' needs are dictated in large part by the changing seasons.
If you run an organisation with seasonal labour needs, Australia has a good system in place to make your life easier.
If you run an organisation with seasonal labour needs, Australia has a good system in place to make your life easier. There's a simple process for Aussie businesses to hire temporary workers – but having said that, they may need accounting help to overcome the logistical challenges that crop up along the way.
Taking advantage of the Seasonal Work Incentives Trial
For managers who encounter planning challenges when it comes to seasonal staffing, the Australian government has resources in place to help. For example, the new Seasonal Work Incentives Trial makes it easy for employers to connect with individuals who are looking for short-term work.
For example, according to the Department of Employment, the Seasonal Work Incentives Trial is great for the horticultural industry, as growers also find themselves in need of staffing help during the harvest season. Participants in the Trial can either work locally, or they can relocate – they're eligible to receive a Living Away and Travel Allowance if their work is more than 120 kilometres from home.
The most common uses of the Trial are expected to be for relatively unskilled work in the horticultural industry, such as picking and packing fruit, nuts or other crops. There will be other uses, though. Jobactive, Transition to Work and Disability Employment Services providers will work hard to match eligible workers with all sorts of jobs.
What are your obligations as an employer?
As the Trial launches this year, the expectation is that employers across Australia will do what they can to find jobs for people in their local areas. According to the Australian Government, employers should take a careful look at the labour market and attempt to recruit people in their home cities before seeking access to international workers.
Another key obligation for employers is to give their new workers a safe, hospitable work environment. People helping on a seasonal basis should be treated just as well as full-time staff; this means they should have a welcoming workplace and their managers should comply with all safety regulations.
There are also financial aspects to consider, such as compliance with payroll tax laws. This is an area that some small business owners find a bit tricky, which is why it helps to reach out for help in the form of business strategy consulting.
Get help with all the logistical details of employment
Any time you're adding to your staff, whether it's a full-time employee or just someone helping on a temporary basis, there are sure to be complications. Paying all the necessary expenses, including not just wages but also taxes, insurance and other costs that come up, often brings a few surprises along the way. If you procure accounting services from the experts first, these surprises become a lot easier to manage.
At Accountants Australia, we have a truly comprehensive approach to helping you manage your business and its money. We want you to plan ahead effectively, but we also want you to focus on the nitty-gritty details in front of you today, such as taxation and employment law. Contact us today and find out more about the wide range of services we can offer your business.
