Welcome to Australia – the beautiful land with its vast landscapes, year-round sunshine, and exciting opportunities for adventure. For many travelers, farm work in Australia is not only a necessity but also a way to earn some extra money. It’s also a unique opportunity to experience rural life up close. In this blog post, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about working on a farm in Australia – from why it’s such an enticing opportunity to practical tips for making the most of your experience.
Our Farm Work Experience in Australia
During our time in Australia, we worked on two strawberry farms and one lemon farm. There were mixed feelings about these experiences, with both good and bad periods. Overall, however, it was a very rewarding experience in many ways. Our first job was planting strawberry plants. It’s something I don’t recommend! The working conditions are poor, and for the small amount of money you earn, you have to work very hard… plus, you’re bent over all day. So as you can hear, I don’t recommend planting strawberries!
After that, it got better. We worked in the packing shed and were paid hourly. It still wasn’t the best work because it was a bit strenuous, but at least we were paid well and had some really lovely people around us to work with!
Our second farm work was ironically also on a strawberry farm, but this time on a much better farm. Located in Manjimup, Western Australia, this farm was a great experience. We didn’t have to work as hard, and we were paid ridiculously well. We also stayed at a working hostel, and the advantage of that was after a day’s work, it was easy for us to head to the pub with the people we worked with. Looking back, those were some of the best moments!
We also tried working on a citrus farm where we picked lemons for a short time. It was okay. The pay was hourly, which is always nice, and it wasn’t super stressful, but the downside was that lemons have thorns, which can be quite painful if you’re not careful.
Why Choose Australia for Farm Work?
Australia, with its extensive agricultural industry, is one of the most sought-after destinations for people seeking seasonal work. Its diverse climate and geography create a variety of opportunities for farm workers year-round. Here, you can pick fruit in sunny Queensland, harvest vegetables in Victoria, or work with livestock in the vast regions of New South Wales. The beautiful scenery, the opportunity to get to know Australian culture up close, and the fantastic encounters with people from all over the world are just some of the reasons why many choose to work on a farm in Australia.
What’s Required to Extend Your Visa in Australia?
Most people who go to Australia quickly decide they want to stay longer than they initially thought. It’s easy to happen, it happened to us too! Australia is wonderful, and you’ll want to stay longer than just a year as your Working Holiday visa allows. To do that, you’ll need to do some “Farm Work.” Visa sees it as something negative, but it definitely isn’t as long as you find a good farm. If you end up on a bad one, you should switch as soon as possible.
The rules vary depending on which country you’re from when it comes to what counts as “Farm Work.” For Swedes, it only counts if you work on a physical farm, while for Spaniards and South Americans, for example, working in hospitality is sufficient.
To extend a working holiday visa, you need to work 88 days on a farm or roughly 3 months. NOTE: only working days count, not weekends. To extend the visa for another year so you can stay there for a third year, it requires double that. You need to work 6 months, but weekends are included in that.
Click here to read how to apply for a Working Holiday visa.
Seasonal Work: What You Need to Know
Working on a farm in Australia typically involves participating in seasonal activities such as fruit and vegetable picking, harvesting, or animal handling. It’s important to understand the different seasons and the types of jobs available at different times of the year so you can plan your trip accordingly. Fruit and vegetable picking are common during spring and summer, while the harvest of crops like wheat and cotton usually occurs during autumn and winter.
Plan your trip, and my tip is to take the opportunity to do farm work in Queensland or Western Australia during the winter months. Much nicer to do it in good temperatures than in Victoria when it’s raining and cold. Just try to avoid the northernmost parts of Queensland during the rainy season from January to March.
Working Hostel vs. Own Accommodation When Traveling in Australia
There are a couple of different ways to find Farm Work in Australia. Either you find your own farm or you go through a “working hostel.” If you manage to find a farm that seems good, just go for it! The big advantage is that you usually have your own accommodation, which can be very nice. It’s always nice to have your own space where you know things are clean and fresh. Since it’s not always like that in working hostels, it should be said that they tend to be a bit dirty and not always well maintained. That being said, a working hostel is a good option because you’re guaranteed to have both a job and accommodation sorted.
I also know many who have said their farm work time at a working hostel was the best time they had in Australia. I think that says a lot. Be careful not to end up in a dodgy hostel somewhere because you don’t want that. But when you find a good hostel, it’s so much fun. The sense of community is unbeatable, everyone is in the same boat, and it’s a lot of fun all the time. Most hostels also have private rooms, and that’s something I recommend instead of sharing a dorm with 6 other people.
Popular Agricultural Regions for Farm Work in Australia
Australia is vast, and agricultural lands stretch across the country. Some of the most popular agricultural regions include:
Queensland
Known for its fruit and vegetable picking, especially in areas like Lockyer Valley and Atherton Tablelands. There’s plenty of work in these areas for most of the year thanks to the warm climate that allows crops to grow year-round. We worked in Caboolture in Southern Queensland outside of Brisbane, and there are some farms to look for jobs at. An incredibly beautiful area!
Victoria
Perfect for harvesting fruits like apples and pears in areas like Yarra Valley and Goulburn Valley. Victoria also offers many opportunities for vineyard work. A popular destination for those interested in working in the wine industry.
New South Wales
Here you’ll find many opportunities for livestock work and wheat and cotton harvesting in areas like Riverina and Hunter Valley. New South Wales also offers a fantastic rural environment and is known for its beautiful landscapes and friendly communities.
Western Australia
There are excellent opportunities on the west side, and I highly recommend doing your farm work here. The competition among other backpackers is much less, so it’s much easier to find a good job. Plus, the weather is much better. From the Margaret River region to Albany, there are many different options. Western Australia is known for paying backpackers better than in other parts because of the slightly lower competition.
Working Conditions and Pay During Your Farm Work
When it comes to working conditions and pay, it can vary depending on the employer and the type of work. Many farm jobs are paid on a “piece rate.” This means you get paid based on the amount you pick or harvest. It’s important to do your research and be aware of your rights before starting work on a farm. It’s also important to remember that wages can vary depending on factors such as experience, skill, and type of work. External factors during farm work, like weather, also affect how much you work.
You have to be careful not to be exploited. Many farms pay backpackers far too little. If the farm only offers piece rate, check out the farm beforehand to make sure it’s legitimate and not a farm that exploits people.
What Visa Do You Need to Work in Australia?
For foreign workers who want to work on a farm in Australia, a suitable visa is usually required. The most common visa for farm work is the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417). It allows you to work and travel in Australia for up to a year. To apply for this visa, you must meet certain criteria, including age requirements and financial requirements. It’s important to apply for the visa in advance and have all the necessary documents ready before traveling to Australia. If you want to read more about how to get a Working Holiday Visa in Australia and other good things about it, you can read this post: Working Holiday in Australia
Tips for Finding and Securing Farm Work in Australia
Finding and securing farm work can be challenging, especially if you’re new to the area. Here are some tips to help you find the right job:
Explore different job portals and farm work programs. There are many websites and programs dedicated to matching job seekers with available jobs in agriculture. You can find farms on Facebook, contact various working hostels to see if they can suggest anything, but also just google farms to possibly find job vacancies.
Contact local farms directly. Contacting farms directly can be an effective way to find work, especially if you’re flexible about location and tasks.
Be prepared to travel. Sometimes it may be necessary to travel to remote locations to find work. Be prepared to be flexible about location and be ready to explore different parts of the country. See it as an opportunity to see more parts and environments of Australia!
Make sure you have the right equipment and clothing. Depending on the type of work you’ll be doing, it may be important to have the right equipment and clothing. Be prepared and buy everything you need before you start working. Usually, you need to wear yellow/orange shirts, you can find cheap ones at places like Kmart.
Our Thoughts on Doing Farm Work in Australia
Working on a farm in Australia is not just a way to earn money, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to experience the country’s unique rural life and culture up close. With the right preparations and attitude, it can be a memorable and enriching experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. So why not take the chance and embark on your own adventure in the Australian bush? With the right tips and expectations, you’ll be ready to embrace this exciting and rewarding journey.
Dags att göra ditt Farm Work i Australien? Klicka här för att ta del av alla mina tips inför ditt sökande av gård i Australien.
Click here to read more about our adventures in Queensland, Australia.
