The NSW Farmers (Industrial) Association
About Us
NSW Farmers’ (Industrial) Association exists to advocate the collective interests of NSW Farmers’ members on all employment related issues and to provide members with day to day assistance in managing their workforce.
What We Do
The Industrial Relations (IR) team consists of practical minded IR practitioners whose main role is to advise, represent and assist members in meeting their obligation relating to workplace relations. The IR Team inform and assist members with all issues pertaining to labour relations (e.g. engagement, immigration, workers compensation, training, etc.), assists with the provision and implementation of safe work practices, provides support to human resources professionals and importantly, seeks appropriate regulation and policy reform from government as required.
Our work can be split into three broad categories:
- Advocating on behalf of member interests in relation to employment related matters. For example: minimum wage increases, workers compensation reforms and modern award reviews.
- Providing timely and tailored advice to members, collectively or individually. Most of our work is spent directly speaking to members to advise and assist them in resolving any employment related issue they may have in their farming business. In addition to providing verbal advice to members, we also assist members to draft employment related documents (e.g. employment contracts, IFA, policies and procedures). We also put out regular publications to update members on current issues in IR.
- Representing individual members in tribunal matters and matters relating to the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Fair Work Commission.
Who we are - Our Team
Gracia Kusuma - Industrial Relations Manager
Grace joined the Association in 2011 and became the IR Manager in early February 2012. Her wealth of knowledge and experience in the Industrial and Employment relations fields has proven her to be an invaluable member and leader of our team.
Matthew Waring - Special Counsel
Matt leads the industrial relations team at NSW Farmers and has over 10 years’ experience in employment law and industrial relations, regularly dealing with large clients in agriculture, building and construction, manufacturing and maritime.
Matt operates his own private legal practice when he is not working for NSW Farmers and deals with property, commercial matters and litigation.
Cassandra Low - Industrial Relations Advisor
Cassandra has been part of the Industrial Relations Team at NSW Farmers’ Association since 2015. Prior to this she undertook work experience at a community legal centre and completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource Management).
Membership Offerings