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| THE HARVEST TRAIL |
| From grape harvesting in Berri, to mango picking in Darwin, each year thousands of people find work helping to bring in the fruit and vegetable harvests. The Harvest Trail gives them the opportunity to combine seasonal harvest work with travelling around Australia. The Trail offers a way for young, middle aged and older Australians to finance travel around their country. By working and following the Harvest Trail jobseekers from Australia and overseas find a great way to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle, are able to meet people from around Australia and the World and can travel and see Australia at their own pace while working and earning money. There is of course not just one harvest trail, but many. Harvest workers can chose to circle the continent or follow the sun. They can go south from the wet tropics of far north Queensland to Tasmania’s Huon Valley or east from Western Australia’s Margaret River to the Riverina. In some locations it is possible for workers to follow seasonal activities through much of the year on a trail within kilometres of their doorstep. |
| HARVEST WORK |
| Harvesting of fruit and vegetable crops around Australia can often involve working singly, in pairs or teams. The job can involve climbing ladders, standing, kneeling or sitting while moving through the crop. The work can be repetitious and tiring. Crops are collected in various ways. Produce is often placed into buckets, tubs or lugs. It can be picked and placed into a bag strapped to the shoulders. On some occasions produce can be harvested in bunches and placed onto trays or placed into bins. Start time is usually from early morning and often the work is late into the day. Some evening and night time work can be required, especially in the packing of produce harvested earlier in the day. There is often work associated with the harvest in packing sheds, canneries and other processing plants or factories. |
| HARVEST CROPS |
| There is a variety of crops listed on the Harvest Trail. These are regularly being added to. The list of crops shows the towns where these crops are grown and the approximate time during the year that labour is required for harvesting or other crop activities. There are other activities required for crop production besides picking of produce. These activities are available on the Trail. They include pruning and trimming vines and trees, thinning and trimming flowers and bunches and general maintenance crop work. Most crops and harvesting jobs are very dependant on local weather conditions. The size of crops and when they are harvested are often controlled by local weather during the year. Considerable variations can occur and it is most advisable to check with local harvest offices for correct information. Some crops cannot be harvested whilst the produce is wet and many others are affected by very hot or extremely cold conditions to a point where harvest is not possible. However remember not to rely on general talk. ALWAYS contact a local harvest office for up-to-date and accurate information. The National Harvest Information Service on Freecall 1800 062 332 can help to connect you to these people. |
| TOWNS |
| The location of harvest work opportunities is listed by towns across the States. You should be aware that many of these areas are known locally by regional names such as the Riverina, Far North Queensland, the Barossa Valley and the Riverland. Always ask if you are unsure. Many crops are planted in large volumes in specific areas and as such harvest labour requirement can be spread over a number of towns in a region at the same time. |
| HARVEST WORK OPPORTUNITIES |
| Generally placement is easiest for jobseekers that have their own transport and accommodation but both are available at different locations particularly during peak harvest times. Arrival at the right time is extremely important. Being early means limited work and unless you have money and wish to be a tourist for a short while do not arrive in a potential work town prior to the availability of work. Late arrival of course can mean that many of the jobs are taken. |
| WORKING CONDITIONS |
| Weather Most harvesting jobs are done out-of-doors with little or no protection from the weather. Many happen in locations where extremely high temperatures are common and at the time of year when they are most likely to occur. Physical / Personal Most harvest jobs require a reasonable level of individual physical fitness. The job can involve climbing ladders, standing, kneeling or sitting while moving through the crop. Lifting is often a required activity. The work can be repetitious and tiring. Times When the crops are ready they must be harvested as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Many harvesting jobs require working six days each week, with Saturday often being the day-off to meet market requirements. Usually the long hours of summer daylight are used to advantage to harvest the crop. |
| PAY RATES AND CONDITIONS |
| Pay rates and calculations vary from crop to crop and may include: - Wages paid on a 40 hour weekly basis - Casual work paid on an hourly basis - Piecework paid on a per unit harvested basis; and - Negotiation agreed on a start to finish basis. |
| WORK REQUIREMENTS |
| Australian Tax File Number (TFN) To work you will require an Australian Tax File Number. Appropriate taxes are to be paid on all earnings by you. The rate will be determined by your background and the current working arrangements. Taxes are collected by the farmer and submitted to the Australian Taxation Office. If you fail to provide a TFN you will be taxed at the highest rate. A Tax File Number may be obtained from the Australian Taxation Office. For further information and online service visit the ATO website. You can link directly to this website site from any of the Harvest Town listings via the Harvest Trail website.
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| WORKING VISAS |
| If you are visiting Australia and you wish to work you will require a current and appropriate Working Visa. These may be obtained from the Department of Immigration & Multicultural Affairs (DIMA). For further information and online service visit the DIMA website. You can link directly to this website site from any of the Harvest Town listings via the Harvest Trail website The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) implemented changes to the Working Holiday Visa with the aim to increase the number of Working Holiday Makers (WHM) participating in harvest work. WHM’s are now entitled to apply for a second Working Holiday Visa if they have completed a minimum of three months seasonal work in regional Australia while on their first Working Holiday Visa. The extension of the WHV is tied to the work being ’seasonal’ which by definition is: This must be in ’regional Australia’ which is defined as “anywhere in Australia except Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the NSW Central Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne or ACT.” A full list of postcodes included in the definition is available at Postcodes Details on how to qualify and apply for this extension can be found at DIMA's website To follow a “Harvest Trail“ can be a great adventure as an individual, a couple or as a group. A Harvest Trail can be anything you want it to be, from a short haul close to your homebase, or a long journey which may take a year to travel and work right around Australia. There are no formal arrangements required. Join in wherever you are and whatever the season might be. You will find that to move in a similar direction to others and to share work tasks with them is a valuable life experience. Have a good read of this guide and work out your own personal Harvest trail. Look to take in work opportunities and to visit places of interest and history wherever you choose to travel. Seek out accommodation advice. Remember to ask first before moving on, use the Freecall 1800 062 332 to gather your information. |
| HANDY HINTS |
| - You require hard wearing clothing that will keep you well covered and protected against the weather conditions and the work environment. - Maximum protection against the sun is essential. A suitable broad-brimmed hat is essential with your well covered clothing. You should use a sun screen cream with protection factor of at least 30+. Sunglasses are also to be recommended. - Footwear requires sturdy work boots or shoes. - During the long hot days a good supply of water is required to prevent dehydration issues. A large suitable water bottle for use every day with a suitable lunch where required is suggested. - Eat well and get useful rest each night for the day ahead. Harvesting crops is demanding work so pace yourself accordingly. - Insects are very common in crops. They can be both annoying and dangerous. Always carry a strong effective repellent and use it regularly. - Listen carefully to instruction given on the harvest and all aspects of health and safety advice. ALWAYS follow the instructions given. Be careful when handling the produce and only harvest what has been specified. If you are in doubt, please ask! - Having your own transport can be an advantage in obtaining a job. Always let people know of your situation when discussing possible work opportunities. - Accommodation is often a significant problem in many of the small harvest locations. Make sure you talk with local offices and farmers to ensure arrangements are made before moving to an area. Always let people know immediately if you have your own accommodation eg. Tent, caravan or campervan. - Make sure of your future work plans before you move on from your present location. Call the National Harvest Labour Information Service (Freecall 1800 062 332) and seek assistance with making your plans. Grab Your Copy of the National Harvest Guide (PDF) |
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