Private recruitment firms are commercial or independent businesses that perform recruitment services on your behalf. They allow you to focus on running your business by acting as the interface between you and potential employees (RCSA 2006).
There are around 3600 private recruitment organisations in Australia (RCSA 2006).
Services offered by private recruitment firms
Most private recruitment firms are for-profit organisations so there is usually a fee associated with their services.
They can assist with one or more of the following:
- Recruitment services to find, select, refer and place people into jobs.
- On-hired Employee Services or Contracting Services provide flexibility so that you can respond to changes in demand for labour.
- On-hired employees are employed by the recruitment firm itself or another on-hire service provider but undertake work for you at your premises under your general management and instruction. On-hire employees can be called in during peak periods, to cover absenteeism or when specialist skills are needed
- Contracting Services utilises employees or sub-contractors employed or engaged by the recruitment firm where a specific result is achieved through a managed project or contract.
- Workforce Consulting Services where the recruitment firm responds to workplace issues and implements strategies to help you achieve business success.
Job Placement Services
Some private recruitment firms are licensed by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to lodge vacancies on one of Australia’s largest online jobs databases, Australian JobSearch (see Related Links). These firms are known as Job Placement Organisations.
Recruitment and Consulting Services Association
The Recruitment and Consulting Services Association (RCSA) is the leading peak body for Australia and New Zealand with over 3600 members in recruitment, on-hire and workforce solutions services. Association Members are responsible for over three million job placements every year (RCSA 2006).
The Association has established a Code for Professional Practice for its Members. The Code provides standards for the professional behaviour of its members to make sure that employers and job seekers receive a high level of professional service.
For more information, including a copy of the Code of Professional Practice, see the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association web site—Related Links.
References
Recruitment and Consulting Services Association (RSCA) 2006, General Industry Information, fact sheet, Recruitment and Consulting Services Association, Melbourne, viewed 15 May 2007, <http://www.rcsa.com.au/documents/rcsa_fact_sheets/RCSA_in_WA.pdf>