Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN)
The Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) assists producers and businesses to attract, train and retain workers.
This free service is available to agribusinesses with operations in Queensland, regardless of commodity or organisation membership.
How we can help
QAWN officers can support you with advice about:
- workforce planning
- sourcing labour and skilled workers
- recruitment induction
- requirements
- funded training opportunities.
Watch how QAWN can support you address your workforce challenges.
QAWN is funded by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Find your local officer
View the map to see which region you are in.
There are 7 QAWN officers in Queensland, hosted by regional industry or economic bodies.
This position is currently vacant.
Contact secretary@fnqgrowers.com.au.
Steve Harrison
- Email: workforce@bowengumlugrowers.com.au
- Phone: 0427 009 929
Steve covers the area from Proserpine up to Ingham and out west to Cloncurry.
Steve’s background is in vocational education delivery and policy, particularly in the field of aquaculture in which he has over 20 years' experience. He has also recently worked in a workforce and skills development role with Australia's largest aquaculture company.
Steve has a passion for creating workforce attraction and employment pathways through establishing mutually beneficial partnerships between industry bodies, employers, and education and training providers.
Steve is hosted by the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association.
Peter Albertson
- Email: peter_albertson@canegrowers.com.au
- Phone: 0457 201 927
Peter covers the Central Queensland region, which spans from Proserpine to Rockhampton.
Peter has experience in conducting and managing research projects in forestry, macadamia, sugar cane and the biofuel industries. His goals are to identify and reduce current and future labour shortages across the agricultural industries.
Peter is hosted by CANEGROWERS Mackay.
Meg Bassingthwaighte
- Email: awo@chrrup.org.au
- Phone: 0439 886 140
Meg is based in Longreach and supports the the Central Highlands and Central West regions.
Meg grew up in South East Queensland on a beef cattle property, gaining a love of all aspects of agriculture, especially working dogs with livestock. She has lived in the Central Highlands and Central West for the last 8 years, working as a governess and primary school teacher.
Meg will combine her passion for agriculture and education to instil an enthusiasm for working in rural industries and facilitate appropriate exposure and training across a range of agricultural disciplines.
Meg is hosted by CHRRUP Limited.
Kylie Jackson
- Email: kylie.jackson@bfvg.com.au
- Phone: 0488 533 801
Kylie covers the area from Gladstone to Gympie and west to the Banana Shire.
Kylie has a background in career development and training, and has strong connections with training organisations and jobseeker providers, the Office of Industrial Relations, and the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Kylie is passionate about educating the local workforce about agricultural career opportunities and working one-on-one with businesses to address their workforce needs.
Liz Ford
- Email: lford@qfvg.com.au
- Phone: 0499 833 868
Liz covers the Southern Queensland region—from the Lockyer Valley, Darling Downs and Southern Downs to the Bulloo and Quilpie Shires.
Liz has an extensive background in recruitment, employment and human resources, specialising in agriculture. Liz is enthusiastic about raising awareness of the many and rewarding career paths and opportunities that are available in the local area.
Liz will focus on workforce attraction and employment pathways through establishing mutually beneficial partnerships between industry bodies, employers and education and training providers.
Liz is employed by Growcom.
Amy Nash
- Email: anash@qfvg.com.au
- Phone: 0456 639 098
Amy covers the South East Queensland region – from Noosa, the Sunshine Coast, and Moreton Bay through to the Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, and Ipswich.
Amy has extensive experience in employment and recruitment specialising in agriculture, focusing on the development and implementation of effective employment strategies to overcome seasonal workforce needs.
Amy will focus her passion to support agribusinesses create sustainable workforce strategies by building mutually beneficial partnerships with industry bodies, employers, and education and training providers.
Amy is hosted by Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers.
- Last reviewed: 4 Dec 2023
- Last updated: 4 Dec 2023