We have gathered together a few key points about working on livestock and crop farms in Australia. 
​Awareness of these will help you to make a success of your farm work. ​

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Not all lollipops and rainbows

1. Rural Australia is a hard working place. Farming is not all lollipops and rainbows and is often quite different from the romantic adventure that some people imagine.
2. Most farm roles offered to short term workers is entry level, day to day routine farmwork. 
3. Australian Farmers are hard working independent minded characters, and you will need to adapt to this.
4. Work on livestock or crop farms is very different to fruit picking. it is usually more skilled and with greater risk and more responsibility.  
5. Your ability to adapt, fit in and learn fast is what will give you the best chance of succeeding in a farm role. 
6. Previous experience and relevant skills are greatly valued, even if they are not always essential.

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Time and place

1. You are searching for an employer with a short to medium term job that fits you, at a time that suits him, at the time that you need it, in a location that suits you. This is a challenging combination of factors that have to line up. 
2. Be realisitic and be flexible with time and location.

Pay

1.  To employ a farm worker at minimum wage rates costs a farmer approx. $1,000 per week for 38 hours work.  
2. 38 hours gives the employee approximately $500 take home pay. 

Skills and abilities 

1. Farmers will not usually consider employing workers with little previous relevant experience.
2. Farm livestock and machinery are very valuable and potentially dangerous.  Previous experience, responsible and safe practice are very important. 
3. Useful skills that Farmers look for
   1. Can drive manual vehicles
   2. Can ride a manual motorbike / dirt bike 
   3. Any practical, physical work or activity experience
   4. An understanding and awareness of physical safety and risks
   5. Speak and understand English well 
   6. Eat a normal diet (because special diets are not always easy to accommodate in remote areas, and because much of farming is related to the meat industry)
   7. Are fit enough to work hard on their feet all day 
   8. Are willing to start early / work late
   9. Can cope with basic living and working conditions 

Working Environment

1. Farms in Australia can be a significant distance from shops and other facilities.
2. Most farms provide on farm food and accommodation as part of the employment package, so you may need to adjust to living and working in the same place.
3. Mobile phone service and internet may be limited or not exist. 
4. Living conditions and accommodation may be basic. 
5. Bugs, dirt and wild animals are part of Australian rural life that you need to be able to accept and work with. 

​Competitive market for workers - 
Get organised - be prepared - invest in yourself 

1. Tens of thousands of working holiday makers seek farm work in Australia every year. 
2.  It pays to get organised and be prepared. Be prepared to get skills and demonstrate abilities that make you employable.
3. If you dont have the right skills then we recommend that you invest in yourself by getting some training and experience before you get here.