Skip navigation
Government of South Australia - Department of Industry, Innovation and ScienceOffice for Small Family and Business

Hiring employees

Information and tools to guide you through the hiring process

Introducing new people and fresh ideas can take your business to the next level.

Your business may be reaching a new level of growth when you decide it is time to hire employees.

It might be time to consider employing staff when:

  • Your forecasts show growth in the near future
  • Customers are requesting new products and services
  • Demand for your products and service consistently exceeds supply
  • You are actively pursuing growth in your business.

Entrusting responsibilities to people outside your business is a big step and you should take your time and hire the right person. It is important to plan to ensure you can afford to take someone on, are clear on what duties they will be performing, and they will have the right skills and attitudes to fit your business.

When you bring staff into your business, you are looking for people who can work hard, build relationships with your customers, and enhance your brand and reputation.

There are lots of resources available to help you find the right people for your business. Start with the steps below.

Preparing to hire:

  1. What are your workforce needs?
  2. How much support do you need? Full-time, part-time, or a casual worker or contractor to meet a short-term need.
  3. Check the award that covers your industry or the occupation using the PACT tool. Are you able to allocate the required pay and conditions to the role?

Use the checklist to guide you through the hiring process.

Hiring Employees Checklist
PACT tool

Here are some tips:

More support

You may wish to seek the services of a Recruitment specialist to support you through the recruitment process.

The Australian Government’s Jobactive Program is an end-to-end recruitment service that helps you hire staff at no cost to you. They can help advertise your job vacancies, shortlist, screen and recommend suitable candidates for your business. Your business may be eligible to receive financial incentives to help you hire or trial staff.

Find out all you need to know about hiring staff at the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Small Business Showcase
Hiring employees online course
Jobactive program
Announcements and practical advice straight to your mailbox.
Name

Please enter a personal email address. Generic addresses beginning with ‘info@’ or ‘admin@’ may be blocked from our email distribution system.

All information is collected and used in accordance with the DIIS Privacy Statement.