Job : Australian Harvest Trail

	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. 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. 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. 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. 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. These 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 maybe obtained from the Australian Taxation Office. For further information and online service visit the ATO website www.ato.gov.au 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 & Indigenous Affairs. For further information and online service visit the DIMIA website www.dimia.gov.au
	Location:	Australasia
	Duration:	Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
	Job Type:	Fruit Picking Agriculture
	Website:	jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail
	Email:	jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail