Introduction

INTRODUCTION THE NATIONAL HARVEST LABOUR The National Harvest INFORMATION SERVICE Telephone Information Service (FREECALL 1800 062 332) The Department of Employment and This service operates weekdays from 8.00 Workplace Relations contracted MADEC to am to 8.00 pm throughout the year, to establish a National Harvest Labour answer queries related to harvest labour Introduction Information Service to coordinate and and to connect callers to appropriate distribute information on harvest labour providers. Call-Centre operators are in in Australia. The service commenced on contact with growers, labour providers 1 July 2003. and jobseekers. As growers often have difficulty finding The National Harvest Guide sufficient workers at harvest time, this new The National Harvest Guide provides service helps to match an itinerant pool of jobseekers with concise and comprehensive workers with variable seasonal work. information about harvest work A diverse range of organisations, growers opportunities, working conditions, transport and job seekers use this service. and accommodation. It is available free of charge to jobseekers across Australia, both The National Harvest Labour Information in hard copy and on the internet. Service is operated by MADEC. Based in Mildura, MADEC has established itself as a "Harvest Trail" website viable, community based business, with 35 www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail years service to regional communities. Employment and Harvest Labour services are currently delivered by MADEC Jobs Australia sites extending across three states. This is supported by their Education and Training Unit which delivers accredited and non-accredited training. The work of the National Harvest Labour Information Service includes: Harvest Trail Website; (www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail) The website has been significantly expanded and improved, providing comprehensive information about harvest opportunities, harvest locations, accommodation, transport and other requirements. Harvest jobseekers are referred to harvest vacancies listed by Job Network Service Providers and Growers. Freecall 1800 062 332 1 GENERAL INFORMATION From Grape harvesting in Berri, to Mango Start time is usually from early morning and TOWNS a required activity. The work can be picking in Darwin, each year thousands of often the work is late into the day. Some repetitious and tiring. people find work helping to bring in the evening and night time work can be The location of harvest work opportunities fruit and vegetable harvests. The Harvest required, especially in the packing is listed by towns across the States. You Times Trail gives them the opportunity to combine of produce harvested earlier in the day. should be aware that many of these areas When the crops are ready they must be seasonal harvest work with travelling There is often work associated with the are known locally by regional names such as harvested as quickly and as efficiently around Australia. harvest in packing sheds, canneries and the Riverina, Far North Queensland, the as possible. Many harvesting jobs require other processing plants or factories. Barossa Valley and the Riverland. Always ask working six days each week, with Saturday General Information The Trail offers a way for anyone eligible to if you are unsure. often being the "day-off" to meet market work in Australia, be they young, middle HARVEST CROPS requirements. Usually the long hours of aged or older to finance travel around the The information listed under the town summer daylight are used to advantage to country. By working and following the There are a variety of crops listed on the names will assist you with travel, harvest the crop. Harvest Trail jobseekers from Australia and Harvest Trail. The list of crops shows the accommodation and important local overseas find a great way to maintain a fit towns where these crops are grown and the contacts. Also check the smaller localities Transport and healthy lifestyle. They are able to meet approximate time during the year that included in the town listing. Air, Rail and Bus services generally operate people from around Australia and the labour is required for harvesting or other throughout Australia between State Capitals World. They can travel and see Australia crop activities. Many crops are planted in large volumes in and larger regional centres. at their own pace while working and specific areas and as such harvest labour earning money. There are other activities required for requirements can be spread over a number There are also regular local public crop production besides picking of produce. of towns in a region at the same time. services in many regions. Check the Towns There is of course not just one Harvest Trail, These activities are available on the Trail. list for local details or call the National but many. Harvest workers can choose to They include pruning and trimming vines Harvest Labour Information Service. circle the continent or follow the sun. They and trees, thinning and trimming HARVEST WORK OPPORTUNITIES can go south from the wet tropics of far flowers and bunches and general crop Remember that many jobs are located north Queensland to Tasmania’s Huon Valley maintenance work. Generally placement is easiest for jobseekers on farms some distance from the Harvest or east from Western Australia’s Margaret that have their own transport and Town where public transport is often River to the Riverina in NSW. In some Most crops and harvesting jobs are accommodation but both may be available not available. locations it is possible for workers to follow very dependant on local weather conditions. at different locations, particularly during seasonal activities through much of the The size of crops and when they are peak harvest times. Arrival at the right time Accommodation year on a trail within kilometres of harvested are often controlled by local is extremely important. Being early means Harvest workers with caravans, their doorstep. weather during the year. Considerable limited work and unless you have money camper vans or tents can be variations can occur and it is most advisable and wish to be a tourist for a short while do accommodated on many properties HARVEST WORK to check with local harvest offices for not arrive in a potential work town prior to and there is commercial accommodation, correct information. the availability of work. Late arrival of caravan parks or backpacker hostels in most Harvesting of fruit and vegetable crops course, can mean that many of the jobs areas if on-farm facilities are not available. around Australia can often involve working Some crops cannot be harvested whilst are taken. Always contact the National singly, in pairs or teams. The job can involve the produce is wet and many others are Harvest Labour Information Service before Some farms provide basic climbing ladders, standing, kneeling, laying affected by very hot or extremely cold moving to a harvest area. accommodation with beds, food or sitting while moving through the crop. conditions to a point where harvest is storage and cooking facilities. You may The work can be repetitious and tiring. not possible. WORKING CONDITIONS need to provide your own bedding, but again check before you arrive. Crops are collected in various ways. Produce However, remember not to rely on general Weather is often placed into buckets, tubs or lugs. It talk. ALWAYS contact a local harvest Most harvesting jobs are done outdoors can be cut, clipped or picked and placed office for up-to-date and accurate with little or no protection from the into a bag strapped to the shoulders. information. The National Harvest Labour weather. Many jobs are in locations where On some occasions produce can be Information Service, on extremely high temperatures are common. harvested in bunches and placed onto trays FREECALL 1800 062 332, can help or placed into bins. to connect you to these offices. Physical / Personal Most harvest jobs require a reasonable level of individual physical fitness. The job can involve climbing ladders, standing, kneeling, laying or sitting while moving through the crop. Lifting is often 2 Freecall 1800 062 332 Freecall 1800 062 332 3 A HARVEST TRAIL OF YOUR CHOICE PAY RATES AND CONDITIONS SUPERANNUATION Appropriate taxes are to be paid on all To follow a "Harvest Trail" can be a great earnings by you. The rate will be determined adventure as an individual, a couple or Pay rates and calculations vary from crop to In most work circumstances a by your background and the current as a group. crop and may include: superannuation contribution is made working arrangements. Taxes are collected • Wages paid on a weekly basis by the Employer to a nominated by the farmer and submitted to the A Harvest Trail can be anything you want • Casual work paid on an hourly basis superannuation scheme on your behalf. Australian Taxation Office. If you fail to it to be, from a short haul close to your • Piecework paid on a per unit The amount paid is a regulated percentage, provide a TFN you will be taxed at the homebase, or a long journey which may take harvested basis; and currently 9%, based on your ordinary highest rate. a year to travel and work right General Information • Negotiation agreed on a start to earnings. This money is paid into a around Australia. finish basis. Superannuation Fund, in your name, either A Tax File Number may be obtained from on a monthly or quarterly basis, ready to be the Australian Taxation Office. There are no formal arrangements required. Rates and conditions are based on of benefit to you on your retirement. For further information and online Join in wherever you are and whatever the registered awards that are binding on the service visit the ATO website season might be. You will find that to move in farmer and you. It is extremely important It is wise to try to ensure that if you are (www.ato.gov.au).

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