Hard Yakka

Hard Yakka is an Australian clothing company that specialises in workwear, safety footwear, and related accessories. The company was founded in 1935 in Brunswick, Victoria as D. K. Laidlaw & Sons Pty Ltd, but later adopted the brand name Hard Yakka, Yakka being Australian slang for work.

Hard Yakka

Industry	Workwear
Founded	1930; 95 years ago (1930)
Headquarters	Melbourne, Australia
Products	Shoes, apparel
Website	www.hardyakka.com.au

Hard Yakka is considered one of the largest suppliers of workwear in the Southern Hemisphere and manufactures clothing designed for use in various industries including construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.

History

Hard Yakka began when David K. Laidlaw started producing overalls and heavy-duty clothing in his parents’ home in Brunswick, Victoria^[1]. As demand grew, the company expanded its operations, moving into an old army hall in Sunbury, followed by factories in Brunswick and Broadmeadows. The Broadmeadows facility later became the company headquarters^[2].

In the 1970s, Hard Yakka gained wider recognition through advertising campaigns, including the “Railway” television commercial featuring a chant written by musician Mike Brady. Other advertisements during this period also contributed to the brand’s association with Australian workwear^[3][4].

Etymology of name

"(Hard) yakka" is Australian slang for work, especially strenuous labour, recorded as early as the 1840s,^[5] with examples in print from 1888^[6] and 1892.^[7] It is derived from the Yagara language of southern Queensland (yaga "work").^[5] The name was adopted by the company to promote its Australian image and its industrial-wear products.^[8]

Ownership

In 2007, Hard Yakka was acquired by Pacific Brands, expanding the company’s distribution network in Australia and New Zealand^[9].

In 2014, Pacific Brands sold Workwear Group, which included Hard Yakka, KingGee, and Stubbies, to Wesfarmers for approximately AUD 180 million.^[10]

Sponsorships

Hard Yakka supplied uniforms for major Australian sporting events, including:

• 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games
• 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

Hard Yakka was also the official workwear partner to the Sydney Kings during their 2023 and 2024 season^[11].

Products

Hard Yakka produces workwear for men and women, safety footwear, and work accessories. Its product ranges include^[12]:

• Core: Safety workwear, including Hi-Vis.

• Legends: Heavy-duty garments for demanding environments

• X-Range: Athletic, flexible, performance-focused workwear

• ToughMaxx: Rugged, durable, everyday workwear

• 3056: Casual, work-inspired clothing

• Safety footwear: steel-toe and composite-toe boots

• Accessories: belts, socks, underwear, and beanies.

Products comply with Australian workwear and safety standards and are used in various industries^[13].