About Us

'Yakr' - It's Australian for Hard Work

Our story

Yakka is adapted from the Yagara language (yaga “work”) and is popular Aussie slang for hard work.

It is fitting, therefore, that our mission at Yakr is to empower individuals from all walks of life to achieve their aspirations and improve their standard of living by moving to Australia for some hard yakka. We help with tailored and comprehensive assistance before, during and after your journey to Australia.

We embrace a global outlook

We embody an optimistic and adventurous spirit

We are humbled by the faith our talent places in us

We are motivated by the opportunity that awaits you

We look to the world to solve your needs

We understand that our manufacturing, mining and automotive clients are also in a period of change, navigating a recruitment process that comes with inherent risk. At Yakr, long-lasting, meaningful relationships that deliver exceptional recruitment outcomes are nurtured through personalised, streamlined, highly targeted and ethical services that we have intentionally designed to outstrip all others.

At the heart of it, talent allocation is almost everything. But as a society, we’re not actually very good at it. We believe that for Australia to succeed it is critical we bring the best and brightest from overseas. We are proud to be at the leading edge, bringing outstanding talent to Australian shores in support of this growth and national success.

Our team

The below information will change as we are currently updating our website

Meet Ben, a seasoned recruitment professional with extensive experience in the Mining, Construction, and Technology industries. Ben has honed his skills while working for various technology and recruitment companies, developing a proven track record for helping businesses build successful teams.

At the core of Ben's approach is a unique blend of entrepreneurial flair and data-driven decision-making. He leverages his expertise in traditional and modern recruitment methods to deliver tailored solutions that cater to his clients' specific needs. Whether it's sourcing top talent, streamlining recruitment processes, or optimising employer branding, Ben is committed to delivering results that exceed expectations.

Ben DonnellyHead of Recruitment

Meet Freddie, an experienced professional with a diverse background in law (non-practising), finance and start-ups.

Freddie leverages his unique blend of experiences to drive Yakr's strategy and process improvement. He takes care of the operational aspects of the business. His expertise allows Yakr to provide effective solutions to its clients'.

Freddie Carlton-SmithHead of Operations

Meet Joe, a professional specialising in migration with a wealth of experience advising corporate clients on bringing international talent to Australia. With a proven track record of success, Joe is committed to providing strategic and practical solutions that help his clients achieve their business goals.

Joe's extensive operational experience for a diverse range of clients has made him a sought-after advisor in the industry. His passion for finding creative, business-oriented solutions sets him apart from the industry's orthodoxy.

Joe HansonHead of Immigration

Brendan is Managing Director at Venture Education, an industry-leading provider of community services training. In addition, Brendan has been a Director at Industry Graduates, specialising in the design and implementation of B2B professional development programs. Brendan has held various leadership positions within the Flight Centre Travel Group; including Strategic Growth & Partnerships and Risk Management.

Brendan has more than 20 years of experience as a corporate executive, with a knack for identifying industry trends, as potential avenues for expansion. He has implemented corporate governance structures to ensure long term sustainability. Brendan leverages his experience to drive growth, while ensuring strong governance with sustainable risk management strategies.

Brendan WilliamsNon-Executive Director