Farmers can now receive free quad bike training across NSW.
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This training is part of a state-wide safety improvement program aimed at reducing the number of deaths on rural properties.
Goulburn MP Pru Goward said eligible farmers and their workers who completed an approved training course would also receive a free helmet (worth about $120) - suitable for use while riding their quad bikes.
She said these changes could save farmers up to $230.
“SafeWork NSW has partnered with Tocal College to deliver up to 100 training events in regional and remote areas across NSW,” Ms Goward said.
From May 8, free training will also be available through authorised Registered Training Organisations. Eligible farmers and their workers who complete this training also receive a helmet compliant to NZS 8600:2002.
Previously, farmers attending an approved training course (costing up to $510) received a rebate of $310.
Ms Goward said more than 200 farmers had attended Tocal College training days since the quad bike safety program was launched last year.
“I want as many farmers to undertake this training so they can be as safe as possible at work on their properties,” Ms Goward said.
“We know time is money to farmers and it’s not easy for them to give up a day’s work to undergo quad bike training. While we can’t put more hours in the day, we can make the training free, and encourage farmers to use helmets, as the next step in our campaign to increase farm safety.”
In March, the government doubled the rebates to $1000 for the purchase of a side-by-side vehicle, $500 for the retrofitting of operator protective device to an existing quad bike and $90 for the purchase of an approved helmet.
Farmers can apply for two rebates, up to the value of $2000, recognising that farmers often have more than one quad bike.
See SafeWork.nsw.gov.au for more information.