Walkouts. No-shows. Missed briefs. More stress for your team.
If you’ve ever hired temps, you’ve probably experienced at least one of these. The truth is, temp recruitment can be both a lifesaver and a headache it all depends on how it’s done.
At Elements Recruitment, we’ve lived and breathed temp hiring for over 20 years across Western Sydney. We’ve managed desks of 50–60 temps at a time, coached recruiters, and supported hundreds of businesses through every possible scenario. Over those years, we’ve seen what makes temp placements work and what makes them fall apart.
Move quickly, but never carelessly
When a temp need hits, it’s usually urgent. Someone’s gone on leave. Someone’s resigned. Demand has spiked. Translation? You need help yesterday.
But speed without precision causes problems. The best temp placements don’t just fill a gap fast they find someone who fits the role, the pace, and the culture from day one.
That means:
- Getting your recruiter on site to understand your team and environment
- Setting clear priorities — what’s essential and what’s trainable
- Avoiding rushed decisions that create more work for your team later
When you move fast but with intent, temps stay longer, onboarding runs smoother, and your team actually gets value from the placement.
Think about sustainability and longevity
Western Sydney isn’t one big uniform market. Each area; Parramatta, Penrith, Wetherill Park, Campbelltown has its own ecosystem, pace, and culture. What works in one doesn’t always translate to another.
A candidate from Castle Hill might look great on paper for a Campbelltown role, but the commute alone can break the placement. Add in traffic, personal commitments, and cost, and it becomes unsustainable.
The best placements are those that work both logistically and personally. Roles that make sense for the candidate’s lifestyle and the client’s environment.
Prep your temps properly
No temp should walk in blind.
They need to know the team, the systems, the workload, where to park, and who to report to. The difference between a temp who stays and one who leaves often comes down to how prepared they were on day one.
Preparation builds confidence. And confident temps settle in faster, perform better, and stay longer.
Onboarding starts on day one, not week two
Even the best placements can fail if onboarding is missed. We’ve seen it happen a temp starts strong but leaves within days because they had no login, no direction, and no one to check in with.
A simple structure makes all the difference:
- Give them access, logins, and a clear contact person from the start
- Set expectations early and check in regularly
- Involve them in the team, even if it’s just for a few weeks
Treat temps like humans, not headcount
It’s easy to treat temp recruitment as a transactional process. But temps notice when they’re seen, supported, and respected.
Transparency, regular feedback, and genuine care turn short-term hires into long-term assets. Many of our temp placements have converted into permanent roles simply because both sides treated the arrangement as more than a stopgap.
Why this matters
Every temp placement has a ripple effect on your team’s morale, productivity, and trust. When done well, temps bring relief, stability, and fresh energy. When done poorly, they create more work and frustration.
Getting it right takes more than a database it takes experience, empathy, and local understanding.
Need temp support that actually works?
If you’re tired of no-shows or dropouts, let’s talk about a better way to manage your temp workforce.
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