Where can I find work?
The best place to start is to search the
Harvest Trail website.
Then use the ‘Filter by’ location option under the map and select TAS to find your Tassie harvest job.
Tasmanian employers have already started promoting harvest jobs in preparation for the upcoming harvest period.
To speak directly with someone about job opportunities and how to register for jobs call the Harvest Trail Information Service on 1800 062 332.
What jobs are close to me?
The
Harvest Trail website shows the locations of the various growers seeking seasonal and harvest workers. You can use this information to determine how close they are to your location.
Do I have to have experience?
Experience is not always necessary, and many growers will provide on farm training for the work being undertaken. Please refer to the advertisement for the requirement for experience.
How hard is seasonal work?
Harvesting and related agriculture roles will vary depending on the type of business that you work for.
Picking, harvesting and packing jobs can be physical work at times and can involve being outdoors through all weather conditions. But these jobs can also be a fun and rewarding experience. You will be part of a supportive team, often working outside in the fresh air and you are bound to make new friends.
Given the physical nature of the work there might be some time for your body to adjust to the different muscle groups being used.
However, recent advances in farm technology, such as picking platforms, raised bed farming, covered cropping and automated grading machines have made some of the available roles less physically demanding.
What hours are involved?
This will depend on the employer and the type of role being undertaken. Some roles will require early starts as the daily picking may need to be completed before weather conditions change.
Generally, during the harvest season growers are looking for 30+ hours per week.
How much money can I earn picking fruit?
The amount earned will depend on your employer and the job you do, as some will pay an hourly rate while others will pay a piece rate which varies depending on how much you pick or pack. There can also be differences between different commodities (e.g. berries, apples, cherries).
Pay rates (as at 1 July 2021) for both awards are equal to or higher than the minimum hourly wage rate of $20.33 per hour.
Planting, picking, sorting and packing fruit and vegetables
| Horticulture industry award
| $21.38
| $26.73
| Yes
|
|---|
Working in vineyards picking wine grapes or pruning wine grape vines
| Wine industry award
| $21.68
| $27.10
| Yes
|
|---|
If you are on an hourly rate you can look at the
fairwork pay calculator to work out what the rate should be paid.
How does the Piece Rate work?
the piece rate is paid on how much you pick, pack or prune each day
your employer can do a combination of piece rate and hourly rate shifts
there should not be group rates, piece rates are based on what you pick yourself
to work on piece rates only you must have a written and signed piecework agreement
piece Rates vary on a number of factors including the availability of fruit, density of planting and the weather conditions
As you grow to be a good picker you have the opportunity to earn more than the base rate in the Horticulture Award:
for horticulture, the average piece rate worker must be able to earn more than 15 percent more per hour than they would on the minimum hourly rate
for the wine industry, the average piece rate worker must be able to earn more than 20 percent more per hour than they would on the minimum hourly rate
Piece rate pay can allow you to control your earning potential but even if you are just starting out and still learning to pick, in most cases you will still earn a minimum wage.
Have a chat with your employer about the range of money a first-year picker can earn on piece rates.
How can I manage my hours?
You can download the free
Record My Hours APP to record and store your hours plus other information about your employment. It is free and comes in many languages.
How do I get to my job?
If you are looking
for transport options to get to/from the farm, speak to your employer
about what might be available for you to link into in the area
What types of work are on offer?
Work varies from farm to farm, but the types of work will be outlined on the job advert. (e.g. planting, thinning, picking, packing, sorting, pruning).
Training may be available and on-farm Induction must be undertaken.
Is there anything I can do to increase my work prospects?
Agcard is a pre-induction tool developed by Primary Employers Tasmania.
When do the jobs start?
The start date will depend on the job and the industry (fruit/vegetable grown). Check the current jobs being advertised on the
Harvest Trail website.
Can I stay at one farm the whole time?
The ability to stay at the one farm will depend on the scale of the farm, the fruit/vegetable gown and the activity undertaken.
Some fruits have a very short season (e.g. cherries) and the harvest and packing will be completed in a few weeks, while other farms (e.g. berries grown in polytunnels) will have a season that lasts several months.