Local Land Services helping people who are new to rural living

As more and more city people consider moving to regional areas prompted by COVID 19 circumstances, many are considering buying a rural property and escaping to the country. 

For many of us, the idea of ‘getting away from it all’ and becoming a part of a rural community is a lifelong dream. 

Acreage can be rewarding but people need to have the skills and knowledge to look after their land and animals properly, so the great Aussie dream does not turn into a nightmare. 

Local Land Services has responded to this need by releasing a toolkit of new and updated resources to help people successfully make the shift to country life. 

The new resources include the 2020 update of the Rural Living Handbook which is a starter guide to getting the most out of a rural property.

It covers a range of topics as diverse as emergencies, rural crime, owning livestock, farm safety, developing a property and what each landholder’s General Biosecurity Duty is. 

The handbook includes a ‘Before you buy’ checklist that lists the sort of questions a prospective rural property owner should ask prior to purchase, to avoid potential problems. 

The handbook is not designed to include everything a new or prospective rural resident may want to know but is intended to be a springboard for further personal research. 

Each section includes lists of useful resources and websites as well as contact details for organisations that provide support to rural landholders.  

“The landholders we help are pretty diverse, from large-scale primary producers to people who have a lifestyle block or hobby farm,” said Peter Evans, Senior Land Services Officer at Local Land Services. 

“We tailor our help to what they need with the end goal of making sure our farms and environments are productive and healthy.” 

“We understand it is not always easy to know what to do or the right people or organisations to go to for help, if you have never lived in a rural area before.” 

The Rural Living Handbook is the most up to date version of a guide that was originally compiled nearly 20 years ago for councils throughout Sydney’s drinking water catchment. 

It was largely based on the work of Jack Miller, a Landscape Planner at Goulburn Mulwaree Council who said he is pleased the handbook is just as relevant today as in 2004. 

“Back then, we saw a need for some basic information for people who were moving into our local government area who did not know much about rural life,” he said. 

“Over the years this publication has been reproduced in a number of formats in NSW and interstate and I am really pleased to see Local Land Services release this updated edition.” 

The Rural Living Handbook is available to read or download online at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/rural-living-handbook  and in printed form from selected Local Land Services regional offices.

A range of digital resources for new rural landholders or those on acreage can be found by searching the Local Land Services website www.lls.nsw.gov.au

There is the online information hub called ‘Every Bit Counts’ specifically aimed at ‘blockies’ and small area farmers and the Big Shift for Small Farms podcast which is designed to equip and connect small farmers with topics like ‘Startup farming’ and ‘Urban farming’. 

Any NSW rural landholder wanting advice, assistance or to attend training such as webinars can call Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or enquire at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/contact-us 

CASE STUDIES

Susie Crowe is one landholder who has been helped by Local Land Services and the Rural Living Handbook. 

She says she referred to the handbook a lot in the early days after she and her husband Greg bought a 134-hectare property at Wallerawang, west of Lithgow four years ago. 

They wanted the farm to pay for itself, but it was overrun with blackberries and they knew very little about how to achieve that goal. 

“We were consciously incompetent; we knew we didn’t know anything,” said Mrs Crowe. 

“When you’re starting out, you need to surround yourself with people you can trust, and Local Land Services provided such a diverse range of expertise.” 

David King also thanks Local Land Services for helping them gain farming confidence when they bought 33 hectares at Berry in the state’s south east. 

David says when he and his wife Kim moved from Sydney five years ago it was their first venture into farming and they had lots of problems at first and it has been a steep learning curve. 

“Local Land Services has been an enormous help, connecting us with training and advice to establish our beef, poultry and apiary enterprise,” Mr King said. 

“We attended as many courses, workshops and training sessions as we could on a range of topics including pest animals, agronomy, beekeeping, weeds, sheep and cattle handling and grazing management. 

“Without Local Land Services there’s no way we would be in the position we are now – we would have spent more money and made more mistakes. Their help has been invaluable.” 

Launch of new digital hub to support Australian small business owners

Everymind is pleased to announce the launch of the new Ahead for Business digital hub which supports small businesses to be mentally healthy.

Funded by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, the hub has been has been developed with and for small business, providing tailored resources, peer support, check-ups and personalised action plans and showcases their experiences through podcasts, videos, blogs and case studies.

Everymind Acting Director Associate Professor Carmel Loughland said as Australia’s largest employment sector, small businesses are a critical setting for a focus on mental health and wellbeing.

“We know that more than 4 million people experience mental ill-health each year and almost half of the population has experienced a mental illness at some point in their life,” Associate Professor Loughland said.

“Research has shown that small business owners have an increased risk of mental ill-health due to the unique range of stressors they face; such as long working hours, feeling obliged to work when sick, multiple responsibilities, and financial stress.”

The new Ahead for Business digital hub is part of a national strategy designed to support small business owners in every setting and features a set of new features including:

• Interactive toolkits: Designed with small business owners and policy makers in mind, these toolkits provide practical guidance on how to support small business owners and how small business owners can make the most of their existing networks.

• Adverse events spotlight: A centralised hub of support, information and resources for small business owners and those who support them to assist in navigating adverse events like COVID-19, drought and bushfires.

• Voices and stories from small business owners: A blog space featuring the voices and stories from small business owners across multiple settings and industries.

• Personalised dashboard: A secure, private portal where small business owners can save resources, results and information and track their progress over time.

• Connect and chat online: Access an anonymous, peer-focused online forum featuring topics and issues that matter to small business owners.

• Directory of support: A section which connects to service providers and organisations who provide mental health, business and industry support for small business owners.

• Identify your stressors: Access a range of digital tools and plans to identify personal stress points and understand current mental health and wellbeing status, including personalised resources.

• Tailored multimedia resources: A series of podcasts, videos and case studies designed to empower small business owners, and those who support them, to take action on their mental health and wellbeing.

Safe places for women and children escaping violence

About 700 new safe places for women and children escaping domestic violence will be built across the country under the Government’s $60 million Safe Places initiative for new and expanded emergency accommodation.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston and Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services Luke Howarth announced 40 projects would be funded, supporting about 6000 women and children each year.

Projects include building new two and three bedroom homes, transforming office buildings into self-contained apartments and establishing small group homes.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said this was an important investment to improve access to suitable accommodation for women and their children.

“The first priority of the Morrison Government is to keep Australians safe and secure but, sadly, we know that home is not safe for many women and children,” Minister Ruston said.

“When women make the decision to leave it is vital that they have somewhere safe to go. This increase in emergency accommodation will support thousands of women and children as they rebuild their lives free of violence.”

Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services Luke Howarth said, tragically, family and domestic violence was a leading cause of homelessness for women and children.

“These new places will not only ensure women and children have somewhere safe to sleep but will also provide access to specialist family and domestic violence services to help create real and lasting change in their lives,” Assistant Minister Howarth said.

“Importantly about half of these places will be remote and regional communities supporting those who have had limited safe housing options.

“The Government also favoured projects which provide longer term, self-contained emergency accommodation which will give women and their children increased stability.”

The $60 million Safe Places Emergency Accommodation program is part of the $78 million funding package which includes $18 million to continue the Keeping Women Safe in their Homes initiative.

This funding forms part of the $340 million Australian Government investment in the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 which is provided in addition to our $150 million COVID-19 response package.

For more information on the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation grants, visit the Community Grants Hub.

South West Slopes Forestry Hub Community Survey

RDA Riverina is pleased to be a member of the South West Slopes Forestry Hub (the Hub).

The Hub was established to identify the constraints and impediments confronting the softwood industry in this region and potential opportunities to address those issues. It is part of the Australian government’s National Forest Industries Plan (a billion trees for jobs and growth program).  

The Hub is one of nine regional centres that will each receive $1million over three years to assist with expanding their local industries. The role of the Hub is to undertake the research and studies needed to identify industry constraints and recommend solutions to enable the expansion.

A key element of this is community engagement. Hearing the views of local people will help the Hub to understand the interests of the communities and increase awareness of the industry, the facts about softwood plantations and the sector’s contribution to jobs and community wellbeing.

The Hub has developed a strategic plan that will assist with planning the softwood industry’s future after the fires and through to 2050.

It is now developing a communication strategy and invites you to complete this short survey. Please tell us what you know and would like to know about the industry in your region and how you like to receive communication about these plans.

The survey closes on 18 October.

$2 billion to extend a range of COVID-19 health measures

On 18th September 2020, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Health announced that millions of Australians will continue to receive medical care and support in their own homes with more than $2 billion to extend a range of COVID-19 health measures for a further six months, to 31 March 2021.

Medicare-subsidised telehealth and pathology services, GP-led respiratory clinics, home medicines delivery, public and private hospital services will all be extended, as well as further investments in PPE.

Patients will continue to have access to Medicare-subsidised telehealth for general practitioner, nursing, midwifery, allied health and allied mental health services, where and when they need them.

Telehealth is also being extended for essential specialist services, such as consultant physician, geriatrician, and neurosurgery services. Bulk billing will continue to be available and regular billing practices will apply to all of these services.

Medicare-subsidised pathology and testing at the point of care will continue in 86 rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. This enables early identification of cases and rapid response if COVID-19 is detected in these highly vulnerable communities.

Government support for the next generation of energy technologies

The Australian Government is supporting the next generation of energy technologies with an extra $1.62 billion for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to invest, as well as expanding the focus of ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to back new technologies that will cut emissions in agriculture, manufacturing, industry, and transport.

The Government will provide ARENA with guaranteed baseline funding of $1.43 billion over 10 years. ARENA’s baseline funding will be supplemented in two ways:

1. Together with the Clean Energy Regulator, ARENA will be approved to deploy a portion of the $2 billion Climate Solutions Fund; and

2. ARENA will also become a clean technology grants hub for future initiatives, with a new $193.4 million provided to deploy targeted programs.

The Boards of ARENA and CEFC will continue to be accountable for individual investment decisions. The Government will introduce new legislation so both agencies can support new and emerging low emissions technologies (including zero and negative emissions technologies). That ensures they will be able to support critical technologies such as soil‑carbon sequestration, carbon capture and storage, production of green-steel, and industrial processes to reduce energy consumption.

Understanding people and communities in rural and regional Australia

The University of Canberra Regional Wellbeing team invites everyone to participate in this year’s Regional Wellbeing Survey. By participating, you help make a difference to communities across Australia, as well as being eligible to enter their prize draws to win one of 29 prizes worth a total of $9,200.

This year there is a special focus on understanding how events including COVID-19, drought, bushfire and floods are affecting people and communities across Australia (as well as asking some of the usual questions). You can do a short or long version of the survey, depending on how much time you have available.

Your contribution makes a difference. A range of community, farming and health organisations use this data and findings. Find out more at www.regionalwellbeing.org.au.

Complete the survey online using www.regionalwellbeing.org.au

It is recommended that you complete the survey on a computer or iPad/tablet if possible, rather than on a smart phone.

Want a paper survey or help? Call 1800 981 499.

In 2020 it’s more important than ever for us to understand how the wellbeing of different people and communities is changing. The team will be producing their first report on impacts of events of 2020 in December 2020, followed by more during 2021.

All survey participants aged 18 or older who complete the survey either online by going to www.regionalwellbeing.org.au or return a completed paper survey will be eligible to enter the draw to win prizes in (i) 11 weekly draws (valued at $200 each), and (ii) a grand prize draw for one of 18 prizes to the total prize pool value of $7000. Winners will have their choice of a WISH, Coles-Myer, Bunnings or Flight Centre gift card, or to donate their winning value to Australian Red Cross, Blaze Aid, WIRES or a charity of choice (limited to organisations formally registered as charities).

The survey is voluntary, confidential and anonymous, and closes on 30th October 2020, at midnight.

National Youth Policy Framework Consultation Survey

The Commonwealth Department of Health’s Youth Taskforce is pleased to announce the National Youth Policy Framework Consultation Survey is now live on their website!

The purpose of this consultation is to give young Australians an opportunity to help shape the development of the Framework and share their views on what is most important to them. Further, this consultation will help the Youth Taskforce to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting young Australians, information that will be invaluable as the Youth Taskforce continues to develop and refine the Framework.

The survey is accessible to all young Australians aged 18 to 29 and is the third consultation round since the Youth Taskforce began its work in June 2019. 

The survey can be accessed directly here and some information on the consultation at the Youth Taskforce website.

The survey will be open until Monday 12 October 2020.

Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge - Research Stream Finalists Announced

Bridge Hub has announced the eight research finalists from Australia and New Zealand who have progressed to the next round of the Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge Research Stream.

The purpose of the Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge is to uncover the best and brightest research, the most innovative ideas and the best startups that positively impact water sustainability within our agrisystem. The Water Challenge was launched in July by the Hon Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and the Hon Phil Twyford, Minister for Economic Development in New Zealand.

Finalists will now progress to the next round which includes a two week workshop series being delivered in partnership with Callaghan Innovations and the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN). CSIRO, the Australian Research Stream sponsor and Zespri, the New Zealand Research Stream sponsor will be involved in the next round of judging to take place.

One Australian research winner and one New Zealand research winner will each receive a cash prize of $25,000. Blue River Group will invest up to $100,000 into the commercial outcome of the prize winning research from each country.

The eight research finalists are:

Nitrate removal to safeguard water quality
Associate Professor David Leung
University of Canterbury, NZ

EFF-GO - 21st Century Solution for 21st Century Waste
Dr Peter Dyer
Callaghan Innovation, NZ

Real-time control of irrigation through acoustic sensing to prevent runoff and pollution
Dr Chandra Ghimire
AgResearch Ltd, NZ

Membrane Subsurface Irrigation
Professor Gregory Leslie
The University of New South Wales

Advanced Capture of Water from the Atmosphere
Prof Chiara Neto
The University of Sydney

Waste to plastic: converting agricultural wastewater to high value bioplastics
Damian Laird
Murdoch University

Microalgae harvesting using tuneable polymers
Professor Long D. Nghiem
University of Technology Sydney

Aquaporin Solutions
Dr Caitlin Byrt
Australian National University

The Water Challenge has created a cohort of individuals and organisations across research, industry and government who are committed to addressing the many water issues we face across the agrisystem. Importantly, the cohort is truly international, with involvement from Australia, New Zealand and Israel.

For further information please contact Dianna Somerville, Community Manager Bridge Hub: di@thebridgehub.co

Farmers wanted for pilot regional connectivity program

Zetifi is working with Birchip Cropping Group and Wimmera Development Association along with local councils and primary producers around Australia to put forward a new solution for solving connectivity problems on and off-farm using long-range Wi-Fi networks.

Their technology can provide better internet and Wi-Fi coverage for voice, data and video around your farm using a secure private network while improving connectivity around your region with an integrated long range public hotspot.

Zetifi are submitting an application for funding under the Federal Regional Connectivity Program to provide subsidised infrastructure that will benefit farms and regions in areas with poor connectivity.

If you are interested in being involved as a host farm for a ZetiCell fill in your details at the link below, they will use this information to complete a desk check and come back to you with a proposal that if accepted can be included in their application for grant funding.

New Snowy Valleys Tourism Video Released

A new promotional film inviting and encouraging holidaymakers and day trippers to visit the Snowy Valleys is being launched this week.

The four-minute short film captures the spirit of the region, and is aimed to emotionally connect with viewers, showcasing a region that was ravaged by bushfires but is bursting back to life.

The narrative is about beautiful landscapes, rugged adventure and peaceful wanderings and invites people to ‘come find us’ in the Snowy Valleys; the perfect place to escape from the stress of the everyday, with so much space to enjoy.

Snowy Valleys Council Mayor James Hayes said, “The film is about letting the wider population know that despite the challenges we suffered in the summer bushfires, and then further with COVID-19 restrictions, our region and its businesses are open again and ready to welcome Covid safe visitors”.

The film shows the many attractions and vistas that the Snowy Valleys is becoming known for including hiking, biking, boating, fishing, exploring, the freshest tastes direct from the farm gate, award winning cold climate wines, and the natural beauty of the quiet landscapes.

“This new film touches on all of those experiences, and much more and we are very excited to be welcoming visitors again,” said Clr Hayes.

Four shorter versions of the film, each with its own theme, will also be released in coming weeks. The films will be supported by social media and print marketing.

The tourism film project was funded as part of the NSW Government’s New Council Implementation Fund round one.

Council’s Executive Director Community and Corporate Paul Holton said the visit Snowy Valleys film is being released now to captialise on VisitNSW’s current Love NSW campaign.

“We know there are travel restrictions between states at the moment so we are especially targeting people from across NSW and the ACT to consider the Snowy Valleys in their future travel plans and as a destination for their next holiday,” Mr Holton said.

“We will be showcasing all the films on our own social media channels and on the Visit Snowy Valleys website, as well as partnering with Destination NSW, Thrive Riverina and Country Change to hit a wide audience,” Mr Holton explained.

“We are also encouraging local businesses and operators to share the films and other Snowy Valleys content through their own social media channels and we hope that regional media outlets will also help to share the message about coming to find us in the Snowy Valleys”.

People can view and share the promotional film via the Visit Snowy Valleys social media sites and it will also be housed on the visit snowy valleys website in the coming days.

Riverina Skills Audit - Phase 2

Earlier this year we began the first phase of our Riverina Skills Audit with a survey. We had a great response to the survey and received important information that we need to understand the skills needs of employers in our region.

We are now at the second phase of this work. This will be a series of focus groups and interviews with members of the business community in the Riverina. We are now recruiting additional participants for these focus groups.

We are looking for business owners and recruitment managers from businesses and organisations across the Riverina in any industry. These focus groups will take about 1 hour of your time and will be conducted online.

Game Set Match! Evonne Goolagong World Premiere to headline new Wiradjuri Festival

The glittering World Premiere of Sunshine Super Girl, a brand new theatre work celebrating National Living Treasure and sporting legend Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, will be the centrepiece of the inaugural Yarruwala Wiradjuri Cultural Festival, in Griffith this October.

It was ‘Love All’ when Griffith Regional Theatre secured the highly sought after rights to premiere Sunshine Super Girl, by Yorta Yorta Gunnakurnai playwright and director Andrea James, produced by Performing Lines, with Melbourne Theatre Company and major national festivals amongst the other contenders.

Griffith Regional Arts and Museum Manager, Raina Savage never doubted the work would premiere on Wiradjuri country.

Ms Savage said, “Evonne was born in Griffith, and when we consulted the Wiradjuri community about the project, they were adamant that her story should open where it had its roots, on her traditional country.”

Sunshine Super Girl is a quintessentially Australian story about an Aboriginal girl from the bush who, with the support of a small farming town and her loving family, became a world tennis champion and household name at the tender age of 19.

Evonne won 92 professional tournaments and was a finalist in 18 Grand Slam events and seven singles – winning Wimbledon twice, the French Open once and the Australian Open four times. Her heart-warming story is a celebration of spirit and passion over privilege and discrimination; and a tribute to a great Wiradjuri woman who overcame racism and disadvantage and inspired a nation.

The Sunshine Super Girl World Premiere on Wednesday 7 October is the jewel in the crown of Yarruwala Wiradjuri Cultural Festival, an exciting new festival promoting and celebrating Wiradjuri arts and culture in the Western Riverina. A spectacular Wiradjuri Cultural Ceremony will welcome VIP guests onto country for the event.

Griffith Mayor, Councillor John Dal Broi is looking forward to what he expects to be an exciting celebration of Wiradjuri arts and culture.

“The Yarruwala Wiradjuri Cultural Festival will be a fantastic event and I am extremely pleased that our Theatre and community get to be part of it,” he said. 

Meaning ‘very strong, powerful’ in the Wiradjuri language, the full Yarruwala Festival Program was launched in a live-streamed gala event at Regional Art Gallery on Saturday 15 August curated by Creative Director Kerry Johnson. Due to COVID-19, the launch was a digital event.

The festival program features Aboriginal arts and cultural experiences and events in the Griffith, Leeton, Murrumbidgee, Narranderra and Jerilderie LGAs.

Creative Director Ms Johnson said, “The festival is a ground-breaking cultural occasion to bring the communities together, as we celebrate Evonne Goolagong-Cawley’s life-time achievements. An integral element will be to look back to our roots, remember the sacrifices and be inspired to continue the legacy.” 

Sunshine Super Girl premieres on Wednesday 7 October, with performances on 8th -10 October at 7.30pm, and matinee on Saturday 10 October at 2pm.

Tickets for Sunshine Super Girl are available from Monday 27 July through Griffith Regional Theatre Box Office at 1 Neville Place, Griffith, or contact the theatre on 02 6962 8444.

For any inquiries please contact Raina Savage raina.savage@griffith.nsw.gov.au or Aanya Whitehead at Western Riverina Arts rado@westrivarts.com.au

RDA Riverina CEO Rachel Whiting takes part in SEGRA Conversations 25 - More Jobs than People

In this webinar recording, RDA Riverina CEO and Director of Regional Development Rachel Whiting and Megan Dixon, Director of Regional Development, RDA Orana joined SEGRA for a conversation on the challenges of attracting and retaining a skilled workforce. Both RDA Riverina and RDA Orana have established programs for growing their regions. This webinar identifies the key elements of these programs and explores how they might work for your region.

Rachel Whiting has lived in regional communities in NSW, Western Australia and Queensland throughout her professional career. Her passion and enthusiasm for development in regional and rural communities is evidenced in the success stories of the organisations she works for and in partnership with. Rachel has worked extensively with not-for-profits both as a board member and as management. In her spare time, Rachel has also been breeding horses for the Olympic disciplines for 20 years and is involved in Arts Practice and Facilitation. Rachel is an Adjunct Professional Staff Member at Charles Sturt University, a Fellow of Leadership WA, holds a Master of Communications from Charles Sturt University, a Graduate Certificate in Animal Studies from UQ and a Bachelor of Education majoring in Visual Arts and English from QUT.

Passionate about regional Australia, Megan Dixon has lived and worked in the Northern Territory and regional Queensland and New South Wales, holding various positions that have all been focussed on regional economic development. Now the Director of Regional Development Orana, based in Dubbo, Megan has spent the last four years focussed on workforce development and labour shortages, working strategically and through partnerships on the push/pull ecosystem that drives skills and labour shortages in inland Australia.  

‘Help Harvest NSW' launched to help secure Ag workers to bumper harvest

Farmers will be able to capitalise on what is predicted to be the best harvest in many years, with the launch of a new one-stop resource which will help the agriculture industry overcome a COVID-induced labour shortage and get unemployed Australians into critical work.

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall announced the launch of the ‘Help Harvest NSW’ website, which will connect unemployed Australians with farm work opportunities across the State as part of the NSW Government’s COVID Recovery Plan.

With NSW at the forefront of this year’s big winter crop comeback after drought and horticulture about six weeks from harvest, Mr Marshall said it was critical to act now as there would be a shortage of between 3,500 and 5,000 workers needed in the state.

“Farmers are desperate to find contractors and employees willing to work to make the most of the bumper harvest we’re about to have,” Mr Marshall said.

“A high volume of primary industries labour generally comes from overseas and due to COVID-19 international travel restrictions there simply isn’t the number of farm workers the ag industry needs at the moment.

“The Help Harvest NSW website will help to overcome this challenge by connecting job-seeking Australians with agricultural work opportunities in NSW.

“I want to see more Aussies climb off the couch and get out into the regions where there’s plenty of good paying work on until the end of the year.

“At a time when we are just beginning to emerge from drought, our State’s farmers cannot afford to miss out on the financial uplift that comes from a strong harvest.”

With higher than average unemployment due to COVID-19, Mr Marshall said that ‘Help Harvest NSW’ was a way to get the State’s workforce moving again.

“Never before and never again will Australians have a better chance to take up farm work, earn a decent wage and see first-hand our beautiful regions where the food we buy every day from the supermarket is produced,” Mr Marshall said.

“My message to the increasing number of people looking for a job at the moment is this: get off your bum and get into agriculture – we need you.

“Take a look at Help Harvest NSW and see what job opportunities are around the corner.”

To explore ‘Help Harvest NSW’ visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/help-harvest-nsw.

Applications Open | School of Rural Medicine | Charles Sturt Orange Campus

Regional students strongly encouraged to apply for the new Doctor of Medicine – applications now open

After years of lobbying, planning and building, the School of Rural Medicine is about to become a reality, opening its doors at Charles Sturt University’s Orange Campus in February next year. Thanks to the support of our communities, we will now be able to “grow our own” doctors right here in regional NSW.

Applications for prospective students for the Doctor of Medicine are now open. Applicants from rural and regional backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply through the rural entry admission scheme. Rural and regional students will need to submit a community member confirmation form as part of their UAC application.

Students have until Wednesday 30 September to apply for the course through the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). Under the Rural Entry Admissions Scheme, the ATAR requirement for rural and regional applicants is 91.5. For non-rural applicants, the ATAR requirement is 95.5

The first cohort of 37 students will commence their studies in Orange in February next year. All of the teaching and clinical placements for the course will take place in rural and regional areas of NSW. The curriculum for the course has been designed for rural contexts, taking into account the healthcare needs of rural communities and the capabilities of local health services.

Students will be taught in a supportive community environment, which includes state-of-the-art teaching facilities, small class sizes, and a personalised teaching approach.

The program will also include a multidisciplinary approach where students are provided with opportunities to learn and train alongside Charles Sturt’s allied health and nursing students. Many of the lecturers, tutors and supervisors will be practising rural and regional medical doctors and allied health professionals.

This is a very exciting time for Charles Sturt University. Establishing a full Doctor of Medicine degree in the heart of regional NSW is a game-changer for health in our communities.

Australian border travel exemption categories now include agriculture and primary industries

Australia has strict border measures in place to protect the Australian community during COVID-19.

The Home Affairs Department has a webpage for those who fit the critical skills sectors and would like to apply for a travel exemption. Exemptions have been extended to include those with critical skills in agriculture and primary industries. A person does not need to hold a visa when they apply for an exemption, however they will need to have a valid visa to travel.

All travellers arriving in Australia, including Australian citizens, are subject to mandatory quarantine for 14 days at a designated facility, such as a hotel, in their port of arrival.​ See Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for travellers. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. To find out more about quarantine requirements, contact the relevant state or territory government health department.

Travel exemption requirements for individuals in critical sectors or with critical skills

The Commissioner of the Australian Border Force may grant an individual exemption if you are a non-citizen:

• travelling at the invitation of the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority for the purpose of assisting in the COVID-19 response

• providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations and delivering critical medical supplies

• with critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services (such as in medical technology, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, engineering and mining, supply chain logistics, agriculture, primary industry, food production, and the maritime industry)

• delivering services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery (such as financial technology, large scale manufacturing, film, media and television production and emerging technology), where no Australian worker is available

• providing critical skills in religious or theology fields

• whose entry would otherwise be in Australia's national interest, supported by the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority.

An individual can submit a request for a travel exemption under this category or a business can submit a request on their behalf. The applications of multiple travellers within the same group/business can be linked, so that the requests are considered together.

Please request an exemption using the form below and provide appropriate evidence to support the claims. Requests may be finalised without further consideration if insufficient evidence is provided. All documents need to be officially translated into English.

An exemption should generally be applied for at least two weeks, but not more than three months, before planned travel. Urgent business travel will be considered inside this timeframe.

Seasonal and Pacific workers to help fill labour gaps

Australia's farmers and regional businesses will be able to recruit much-needed workers from the Pacific and Timor-Leste under arrangements agreed between the Australian Government and the States and Territories.

The agreement struck today paves the way for the resumption of recruitments under the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS), which connect Pacific and Timorese workers with Australian businesses and fill rural and regional workforce shortages when Australian workers are not available.

The arrival of new workers under these programmes had to be paused in March because of necessary COVID-19 travel restrictions, which are protecting the health of Australians, Pacific Islanders and Timorese.

The Australian Government is focused on ensuring Australian growers and other critical industries have access to the labour force they need. Filling these positions will not come at the expense of getting Australians into jobs. Approved Employers can recruit through the Pacific labour mobility programs only if they can demonstrate they cannot find suitable Australian workers.

The agricultural sector is facing unprecedented pressure on labour supply as a result of COVID-19. These new arrangements will help ensure that States and Territories can address labour market shortages affecting Australian farmers and other regional businesses.

The programmes support food production in Australia so that farm produce does not go to waste, and help ensure the agricultural sector continues to play a key role in Australia's economic recovery.

States and Territories can opt in to these arrangements. Any recruitment will be subject to States and Territories demonstrating sufficient health and quarantine system capacity.

There will be stringent health conditions in place to ensure any recruitment follows required directives and does not put at risk the health or safety of Australians and Pacific workers. Workers will comply with required quarantine periods.

The approach is being informed by a trial recruitment of Pacific workers in the Northern Territory to address labour shortages affecting mango farmers.

Pacific labour mobility will contribute to the economic recoveries of Australia, the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

Our labour mobility programs deliver direct and tangible benefits to our Pacific family, providing income, skills and valuable remittances to support the economic development of our region.

We will work with the Pacific and Timor-Leste governments who want to resume participation to ensure the schemes operate safely.

This announcement builds on the visa changes the Australian Government announced in April to enable temporary workers in Australia to continue to support critical sectors like agriculture, following the disruption of international travel due to COVID-19.

It also follows the announcement earlier this month of a trial in the Northern Territory to address labour shortages affecting mango farmers.

Industry and regions invited to connect to Inland Rail

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The Australian Government is calling for ideas to improve freight transport and supply chain connections with Inland Rail, delivering easier and more efficient access to the line, encouraging the shift from road to rail and building competitiveness in our regions.

From 17 August to 18 September 2020, industry, governments and communities are invited to submit an expression of interest for the Government’s $44m Interface Improvement Program.

The program is a chance to:

• Explore freight connections to make the most of Inland Rail

• Develop ideas that improve industry and local links to the line

• Be matched with business advisors that are appointed and paid by the Government

• Explore costs and benefits to communities and regions through feasibility studies and strategic business cases

• Attract investment through developing a business case that follows best practice infrastructure investment planning processes.

The Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program is administered by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and helps people to prepare for the new freight line.

The program uncovers and develops a range of ideas that could improve connections to Inland Rail, giving people specialist support to build their business case and attract investment. It does not fund the capital costs of implementing projects.

Industry, governments and communities can submit their expression of interest from 17 August 2020.

Take 3 steps to apply:

• Read the guidance and see examples at www.InlandRail.gov.au

• Make sure your idea supports the program principles

• Get the information you need together and submit by 18 September 2020.

JobTrainer Skills Package for economic recovery and growth

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced $1 billion to support over 340,000 new training places across the country. The fund will give the trainees access to new skills by upskilling and retraining them for sectors with increased job opportunities.

Courses will be free or low cost and will help school leavers and jobseekers access pre-apprenticeships and full qualifications creating a pathway to growth sectors. 

The Federal Government has committed $500 million in 2020-21 for the fund, contingent on a matched contribution from states and territories. 

The JobTrainer Fund has been proposed to operate from September 2020 to 30 June 2021. 

The JobTrainer Fund is expected to support around 340,700 additional training places. The exact number will depend on the type of training undertaken and in negotiation with states and territories. 

Funding will be available for nationally accredited qualifications and skillsets in sectors that are identified as 'genuine need'. These areas are based on a list agreed by the National Skills Commission. 

Both short courses and full qualifications will be covered by the fund. 

The Supporting Apprentices and Trainees measure provides a wage subsidy to help employers keep their apprentices and trainees in work. The initial program was announced in March 2020 to help continue development of skilled labour during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the JobTrainer announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a further $1.5 billion will be made available to expand and extend the subsidy.

The wage subsidy is not available to apprentices and trainees who are receiving JobKeeper payments during the same period. However, where a business stops receiving JobKeeper, they will then be eligible to apply for the subsidy if they had an apprentice or trainee engaged on 1 July 2020.