Working holiday makers and travellers visiting Australia who hold appropriate work visas can find seasonal farm work. Farm Worker Jobs in Australia is an excellent way to earn money while travelling and to learn about country life in regional Australia.
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The tropical town of Bowen on the Great Barrier Reef coastline offers fruit-harvesting opportunities twelve months of the year. Tomatoes, mangoes and melons are harvested here. Accommodation and meals are provided.
Introduction to Farm Worker Jobs in Australia
Australia’s thriving agricultural industry is in need of a good crop of new farm workers. It offers work opportunities that can give you the chance to experience the Australian outback, save some money and even get your second working holiday visa. Farm workers are needed for seasonal harvests in every state and territory. The agriculture sector is a vital part of the Australian economy and provides jobs for thousands of people.
You can find fruit-picking and other farming jobs in most parts of Australia, depending on the time of year and type of crops. Besides fruits, you can also look for work on cotton and tobacco farms, as well as in aquaculture industries producing fish and seafood.
The main season for farm work in Australia is from November to April. This is the best time to go to the southwestern part of the country, such as Margaret River, where you can find grape picking or wine-making jobs.
In the south, you can also find a job in a vineyard or at a tobacco plantation. And in Queensland, you can work on a mango farm or a sugarcane field. The picturesque town of Bowen is a great place to start your search for a farm-work job, because it has a perfect tropical climate.
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Job Opportunities for Farm Workers in Australia
Specified work isn’t just about fruit picking, and there are plenty of other options for working holiday makers. Whether you’re after a spot on a cattle farm, fishing trawler, construction site or mine, the options are endless. The Department of Home Affairs website is the best place to start researching what’s available.
Queensland’s pretty beach town of Bowen is a great choice for seasonal workers with its sunny tropical climate and proximity to the Whitsunday Islands. Fruit pickers can also find work in Bundaberg, where grape, vegetable and citrus production is high all year round.
In Victoria, fruit and vegetable growers need help with harvesting throughout the state. There are opportunities in regions such as Mildura, Ballarat and Bendigo.
Most of these jobs are paid by the piece so it’s important to bring sun protection, a wide-brimmed hat and sturdy shoes. It’s also a good idea to take plenty of water and snacks to work, as you will be spending a lot of time outside in the heat.
Qualifications and Skills Required for Farm Worker Jobs in Australia
The qualifications and skills required for farm worker jobs vary depending on the type of farming. In most cases, formal education is not necessary. But a high school certificate and a VET qualification in agriculture can be helpful. Some farm workers may also benefit from additional specialized training or on-the-job experience.
The agricultural industry is essential to Australia’s economy and national food supply. Farms are responsible for producing around 90% of the country’s food, and they also make an important contribution to improved environmental outcomes.
Most farm worker jobs are seasonal, and the type of work available varies by location. For example, if you are interested in fruit picking or harvesting, the best time to look for these jobs is during the spring. And summer when many regions of Australia have plentiful crops to pick. In Queensland, for instance, there are several options to choose from including avocados, mangoes, and vegetables. While in New South Wales and Victoria you will find plenty of opportunities for grape picking or citrus fruits.
Other types of seasonal work in Australia include livestock and aquaculture. Livestock farm worker jobs focus on feeding, grooming, and exercising livestock, while aquaculture jobs involve catching or breeding fish. Some farm workers are also needed to maintain agricultural machinery such as tractors, harvesters, and slashers. The qualifications and skills for these positions are similar to those required for other farming occupations.
Where to Find Farm Worker Jobs
Many people who work harvest jobs in Australia are on a Working Holiday Visa that allows them to stay in the country for a year and fund their travels by working. Often the first year of work only whets their appetite and they find themselves wanting to extend their trip.
For this, they need to know whether or not the work that they are undertaking is considered ‘specified’ and therefore qualifies them for a Second Working Holiday Visa.
This can be found out by checking with the Australian Department of Home Affairs. It is also worth ensuring that any job that you are applying for is with a reputable company, preferably one that has been operating for a number of years and has references. In Victoria, it is important to check that the labour hire company is registered with the Victorian Labour Hire Authority.
The type of work that is available in different regions of Australia will depend on the season. For example, if you are looking for a vineyard harvest job then you will likely need to head to the Coonawarra region between December and March. This is a popular wine growing area that also has plenty of opportunities for fruit picking and vegetable picking.
Tips for a Successful Farm Worker Job Search
You should also be clear about the hours the job will require and how busy it will get during certain times of the year. If a candidate cannot handle the increased workload, they may not be a good fit for your farm.
Also, you should consider offering skills to attract potential employers. This will make your resume stand out from competitors and help you to get the best farm worker job.
Finally, be sure to advertise your job opening in as many places as possible. Use social media, third-party recruitment websites, and traditional advertising methods to reach as many potential farm workers as possible.
Benefits
Farm work is a great opportunity to learn new skills, especially in the areas of animal husbandry and crop production. It’s also a fantastic way to meet people and experience Australian culture. Many farm workers find that their work gives them a sense of purpose and allows them to contribute to the local community.
Farm workers are a valuable resource to the economy and national food supply. They provide much-needed support to the country’s farming sector, which produces more than 90% of Australia’s food. Depending on the season, different regions may require more farm workers to harvest or look after livestock.
In Queensland, for example, there are numerous opportunities to pick mangoes, sugarcane and bananas in the Atherton Tablelands, Bowen, and Stanthorpe. While in Victoria and Tasmania, grape picking and citrus fruits are popular. Some farms hire workers year-round, others seek more help during the summer months.
Some employers are even willing to sponsor workers on a visa to keep them employed during periods of drought or other challenges. This is one of the ways that governments can help keep people working and out of poverty.
For example, in 2014 Victoria set aside funding to employ farm workers to do environmental work and rehabilitate sites damaged by drought. This helped locals stay in jobs and also provided valuable work for low-skilled agricultural workers who otherwise would have been unemployed.