Chris Capel (Longreach, Qld)

Ms Chris Capel is a current board member and past president of the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women (2003-2005). In 1997, she was the first person to perform a Brisbane based public service job as a teleworker based in a remote location. She has worked in a variety of roles for state government and voluntary organisations on a part-time basis and now works full-time. Chris currently fulfils her role as Manager of Communication and Information (west region) with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries from her home “Evesham”, 90 kilometres north-west of Longreach.

Chris works from a home-based office, with one day in the central office in Longreach. She has two dedicated phone lines, a laptop for travel and attends face-to-face meetings and jobs as required. Most of the report writing and project management work is done from home.

There are a number of benefits to teleworking in a regional area. Chris has had the advantage of three paid, interesting jobs off the farm. Chris considers that teleworking provides opportunities for professional development, interaction with a diverse mix of people, peer support and networks and a career path, which workers in rural areas might not otherwise have. The other benefit is employment for the station hand’s wife who is paid as a child carer for Chris’ children while Chris works.

There are also spin-off benefits in the form of local work for IT technicians and computer salespeople. In times of drought, telework kept Chris employed and the farm financially viable—it can be used as a positive drought strategy. Telework provides better work life balance, as Chris can spend more time with family and less time driving. There are also benefits for employers as Chris works more hours than required due to time saved by not driving and preparing for work and also because she values the opportunity of teleworking.

There are a number of issues related to teleworking in a rural and remote area, separate from general teleworking issues, including difficulties in getting a teleworking job in rural/remote areas and the need for reasonable and reliable telecommunications.