Category: Agri Labour

Weather permitting, the record-breaking 2021 grain harvest will ramp up in September and we’re currently hiring hard-working individuals to get the job done and experience something different.

You’ll earn great money and learn so much about the agriculture industry, while living the rural dream in parts of Australia not often seen by the casual holidaymaker – or even many city-dwelling locals!

As if that wasn’t enough, there’s another big benefit to working the grain harvest – the warm and welcoming sense of community and the opportunity to make the kind of friends you’ll have for life.  In the grain harvest, you never know who’ll be working beside you. You could become great mates. You could travel the world together! Once borders open up again, that is. At Agri Labour Australia, we’ve seen it happen time and time again.

At the start of every grain harvest, people from around the country arrive on site – some skilled, some unskilled, most of whom don’t know each other. There are grey nomads and young backpackers; working holiday visa-holders and locals from down the road. Friendships form quickly through hard work and a commitment to getting the job done as a team. In-jokes develop, life stories are shared and unforgettable memories are made.

With everything that’s happened due to COVID-19 in the past 18 months – from the lockdowns to the border closures – we’ve never felt more isolated from one another. What we need now is togetherness, and that’s exactly what grain harvest offers. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with people as you work side by side to get the job done. Strong bonds between the most unlikely people are formed year after year at the grain harvest – strengthening both on the job and at the many friendly social events that happen over the course of a season.

“You meet interesting people from all over the world and form lasting friendships. Working alongside ‘salt of the earth’ people who make you appreciate the work they do every time you buy a loaf of bread is something that will stay with us forever.” – Raido Kuiv and Veronica Trisberg

Now’s the time to apply for a role in the 2021 Australian grain harvest. Head to our website to read more about what’s involved and to submit your application!

With the pandemic still having a huge impact on primary producers being able to obtain critical seasonal labour, ALA’s Tasmanian recruitment team have been embracing new pathways to source staff for farmers – all while giving young people pathways into agriculture careers.

ALA founders, Casey and Luke Brown have always been about giving people a chance. It was just what they needed to get their business started back in 2010, and it’s this belief that is now instilled into the workplace culture in their offices across Australia.

When recruiting locals proved extremely difficult, ALA Tasmania, Account Manager Rhys Hensen jumped at the chance to assist Austin Cornish when he made inquiries about work. At the time, Austin was living in Thyne House, an Anglicare youth accommodation facility in Launceston.

Now, having been with ALA for over six months, Austin has been a fantastic addition to the team and has also connected ALA with more young people who were waiting for their chance to prove themselves.

With the relationship still going from strength to strength, read more about this great partnership in the article, published in the Sunday Examiner, Sunday 29 August, 2021.

 

The Agri Family is always growing, so we were excited to welcome new recruitment consultants, Daijiro Yoshida and Amy Smith to the team!

These two have already been super busy assisting candidates find the best farm work available in Australia. With the 2021 Grain Harvest just around the corner and big summer crops needing thousands of workers, we think Dai and Amy have started at the perfect time to assist us with these big Australian agriculture events.

Read on about these two great people and get in touch with them today for your next (and most memorable) career move!

Name: Daijiro Yoshida (better known as Dai to friends and family)

Role: Recruitment Consultant

Office location: Kelvin Grove, Brisbane

Qualifications: Bachelor of Psychology and Business

What did you do before joining ALA?

I was an HR Administrator for a Disability Support organisation and before that I was a Duty Manager at MOS Burger (YUM!).

What drew you to working with ALA?

I wanted to gain more knowledge and experience in staff recruitment and selection. I was also excited to work with Operations Manager, Liam Palmer who is known for being very understanding and working cooperatively with everyone.

What skills do you bring to your role?

I take a lot of pride in having a great work ethic. I also love to get things done so I will do whatever it takes to get a certain project or work completed by the due date.

What are you enjoying about working with ALA?

I love the people and the culture. It’s a thriving place and I genuinely love coming to work every day.

Where did you grow up?   

I grew up on the Gold Coast and have lived there my whole life. #stillnotasurfer ☹ My Mum lives in Japan a lot of the time and I have five siblings! Three sisters and two brothers…one of them lives in Japan and another in America which is a bit of a challenge these days with travel restrictions.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I love playing sports with my friends, going to festivals, and playing games. I just like a little bit of everything. I also LOVE travelling. I usually go to Japan once or twice a year, but I have also been to Korea, Taiwan and few places in Europe like (Belgium, Netherlands and Italy). I am planning to do more travelling when we can again.

Favourite place in Australia and why?

I’d have to say Gold Coast, mainly because I have been there my whole life and all my friends are there but I do like Brunswick Heads in NSW – it’s very peaceful.

What are you looking forward to next?

Hopefully Covid -19 becoming more under control so I can travel again. Otherwise, getting better at my job here at Agri Labour Australia 😊

 

Name: Amy Smith – Amy is currently at QUT completing the second half of her double degree in psychology and business majoring in HR.

Role: Recruitment Officer

Office location: Brisbane             

What did you do before joining ALA?

Payroll and HR officer

What drew you to working with ALA?

I was wanting a more social job where I get to directly interact with employees and candidates.

What skills (unique or otherwise) do you bring to your role?

Being at uni means I’m always learning and applying that knowledge into the workplace.

What are you enjoying about working with ALA?

The team environment and the level at which people care for their candidates.

Would you like to tell us about your family? (optional)

I have two sisters and am the middle child 😊… but I have now moved out of home so my own little family consists of a six month old cavoodle and my partner.

Where did you grow up?   

Brisbane

What are your hobbies and interests?

Do cuddles with my puppy count?

 Favourite place in Australia and why?

Frazer Island. My family and I go there every year, we leave our phones for the whole week and focus on enjoying the beautiful sights and spending time together.

 What are you looking forward to the most?

MY NEW JOB!!!!

 

It’s always one of the biggest events on the agri calendar, and the 2021 grain harvest is shaping up to be a record-breaker!

Anyone who’s done a season will tell you there’s never a dull moment at grain harvest time. There’s a buzzing atmosphere, spectacular scenery and the chance to have a laugh with workmates from all walks of life – all while earning good money that’s easy to save when you’re away from the spending temptations of the city.

As usual, we’ve already had a lot of pre-interest in our grain harvest roles and there’s plenty of work to go around. Agri Labour Australia grain harvest jobs are in hot demand from backpackers, grey nomads, students and locals eager for the chance to learn what the backbone of our economy – the agriculture industry – looks like up close. Whatever your age, skill-set, gender or location preference, there’s bound to be a fantastic grain harvest role to suit you. We’ve got a variety of positions available in regional and rural areas across Australia.

Since we were founded over a decade ago, agricultural recruitment has been our specialty and our passion, and we’re extremely proud of the many great people and crews we’ve hired for past grain harvests. Many of these workers have had such a positive experience they return year after year and, having seen the memories that are made and the life-long friendships that are formed, we can’t say we blame them!

When and where does the action happen?

One thing you need to know about the grain harvest is that it’s highly weather dependent. Having said that, things usually kick off in September and finish up in December. The large-scale harvests can last for a couple of months at a time, while others are done and dusted in a few weeks.

What kinds of jobs are available?

The grain harvest in general is a mixed bag that offers something for everyone. From grain sampling to driving a front loader or carrying out general site duties, grain harvest roles are diverse and interesting. You’ll gain experience working with different types of crops too, including wheat, sorghum, canola, barley and chickpeas.

Your role may include:

• Grain testing (operating a special vacuum that grades the grain and checks for moisture, protein and pollutants)
• Weighbridge grain receivables and data entry
• Operating front-end loaders, grain hoppers, tractors and augers
• Monitoring grain flow
• Storage and protection of grain, including tarp folding, welding and bunker covering
• Sweeping, shovelling, dust blowing and other site cleaning
• Working in confined spaces

What experience do I need to qualify?

Commitment is important. Grain harvest workers must be dedicated to the season and have flexible expectations – we can’t stress enough how weather-dependent the grain harvest is. Climatic conditions regularly impact the ability to process grain.

A willingness to work hard is also vital. Grain harvest jobs are intensive and full throttle, and those who are energetic and in good health tend to sustain the pace.

If you suffer from asthma or allergies, the grain harvest may not be the best environment for you because grain sites are dusty places.

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Are willing to undertake drug and alcohol tests
• Are physically fit and able to work long hours on flexible shifts
• Have your own transport
• Can demonstrate English language skills
• Thrive under pressure
• Possess a strong work ethic
• Are a great team player
• Have worked wheat and grain harvests before (highly regarded but not essential)
• Are qualified to drive a Heavy Rigid Truck or higher (front-end loader licences are highly regarded)
• Showing us a Confined Spaces Certificate is also a huge plus!

Why choose Agri Labour Australia?

Our goal is to ensure the grain harvest recruitment process is easy for everyone. We genuinely care about our candidates and their safety, and our team negotiates very hard to get you the best pay rates and penalties in the industry.

As for training, we ensure you arrive on site prepared, confident and ready to hit the ground running. If you have any questions or issues, our friendly consultants are always on hand to deliver advice and support.

Here’s what you can expect when you join Agri Labour Australia for the 2021 Grain Harvest:

• A competitive hourly rate starting at $27.80 ($1.80 up from last year), with applicable overtime and penalty rates. Higher hourly rates are offered to returning and highly skilled workers.
• Work with your friends! If you’re travelling together and get through the recruitment process, we will do our best to ensure you can work and travel together on the grain harvest.
• We’ll connect you with more work.
• We employ local, travelling and international applicants.
• Before you start, you can watch videos of your work environment, so you can get an insight into your day-to-day tasks.
• We support you. You can talk to your recruiter regarding any issues or questions you may have throughout your placement.

Your safety comes before everything else

At Agri Labour Australia, we’re committed to ensuring the safety of all our staff. COVID-19 training is now also included in our induction and pre-employment processes.

*You’ll be required to undertake drug and alcohol testing prior to being contracted by Agri Labour Australia, as well as randomly throughout the grain harvest.

Ready to start your grain harvest adventure?

Click here to apply now – we can’t wait to hear from you!

 

At Agri Labour Australia (ALA), we have the country covered when it comes to farm work and agriculture careers.

With clients and staff all over this expansive land, we connect our candidates with great jobs, excellent pay rates and the best working conditions. Our genuine care for the people who work for us is one of the reasons behind our great reviews and loyal staff – when you work for us, you become part of ‘My Agri Family’!

We know many of our candidates want to travel and see Australia while working. ALA specialises in helping our team members explore the country, by placing them in roles near or where they are wanting to visit. The only catch – you need to prove yourself to be a dedicated and reliable worker!

Australia is a big place, so to help you understand the various regions and the work available we will highlight a different state or territory to showcase the industries, type of work, places to see and best time of year to work there.

This month we are looking at New South Wales! Australia’s founding state, NSW is one of the smaller regions in Australia, but it’s got incredible diversity and has a big population! The northern areas of the state are quite temperate, but when you head west into the Orana and further south into places like the Riverina-Murray and Tablelands, the temperature cools significantly.

Agriculture industries

The state has eight key regions that support an incredible range of agriculture industries including:

• Fruit – berries, apples, bananas and grapes
• Nuts and olives
• Livestock – sheep, poultry, goats and cattle
• Grain – wheat, barley, oats, pulses
• Broadacre – cotton and canola
• Dairy
• Rice
• Wine making
• Aquaculture

Types of work available

The list is endless for work opportunities. Whether you’ve got some experience, you’re unskilled or have a trade, there’s always plenty on offer. Some are short term, others like cotton and grain harvest can go for longer periods and see you earning some serious dollars! Here are just some of the roles we regularly advertise for:

• Tractor & forklift drivers
• Mechanics & maintenance fitters
• Poulty attendants
• Cotton harvest teams
• Grain harvest staff
• Fruit pickers
• Meat, fish & fresh produce processors
• Farm hands

Things to see and do

NSW offers the best of both worlds with its beautiful coastline and rugged ranges. There is the incredible scenery of the Hunter Valley (where some of Australia’s best wines are made), Guy Fawkes River National Park, the Blue Mountains and exciting snow fields of Thredbo and Perisher. The Far West region delivers the perfect outback experience for those who are looking to see stunning landscapes and big skies. The coastal regions speak for themselves with lush land and incredible beaches for surfing and playing.

Best time to be there

Any time! The climate in NSW lends itself to a wide range of jobs and fun activities throughout the year.

Check out our candidate testimonials, and view current jobs and upcoming harvests here!

While most of Australia has been doing well with managing Covid-19 over the last few months, things have shifted quickly with snap lockdowns taking place all over the country – including rural and regional areas.

With these cooler months making all of us more vulnerable to various colds and illnesses, it’s absolutely vital that our teams keep themselves, their workmates and our communities as safe and healthy as possible.

It can be easy to get relaxed about social distancing and strict hygiene practices. However, we all need to help stop the spread so here’s some reminder tips:

1. If you have any cold or flu like symptoms, please let your supervisor know immediately
2. Get tested if you have been anywhere listed as a contact point
3. Always carry masks with you – keep them in your car or your bags
4. Social distance and make sure you sanitise and wash your hands as frequently as possible
5. If you are travelling interstate please ensure you check what the current restrictions are for that state or territory

For More Information

Visit the Australian Government’s Coronavirus website or contact the Coronavirus Helpline: 1800 020 030 (all hours)

Working in Australia’s great agri industry doesn’t have to mean a move to the outback.

If you’ve always dreamed of a job in agriculture but don’t want to move to a rural or remote region, Agri Labour Australia has just the career for you. With a diverse range of city-based jobs in metro areas around the country, these largely ongoing positions are less weather-dependent than their rural counterparts, and mean there’s no need to leave your life in the city.

Available jobs are varied and plentiful, and can include:

• Process workers
  
• Quality-assurance personnel
  
• Stock controllers
  
• Hygiene workers
  
• Maintenance fitters
  
• Team leaders
  
• Production supervisors
  
• Machinery operators
  
• Forklift drivers

The automation in the Australian agriculture industry is some of the most advanced in the world, and the level of job satisfaction derived from working in an efficient, paddock-to-plate process that benefits Aussie families is huge. With so many agriculture companies now having metro bases and offering excellent job progression, your career path can be continuous and stable whilst still enjoying all the benefits of city living. 

Another benefit of working at a metro-based agriculture business is that the rates of pay tend to be higher than at their rural and seasonal counterparts. Generally starting at around $25-$26 per hour for a new starter, Sunday rates can go up to $40 per hour and beyond – great rates that make a fulfilling job even more rewarding. 

Finally, with an increasing number of workers in the Australian agriculture industry coming from the domestic workforce, your colleagues will be both casual and permanent employees ranging from new recruits to industry experts – and whatever your skill-set, there’s an agriculture role for you. So if you’re a city-dweller looking for a long-term career path in one of the most rewarding industries around, the opportunities within the Aussie agriculture industry are some of the very best.

Australia! One of the most popular places in the world for people to work while travelling. Australia has it all when it comes to working holidays. With an incredible range of landscapes and climates, Australia offers spectacular scenery and a huge range of work options wherever travellers go.

With Covid-19 still impacting on travel restrictions and so many farmers finding it a challenge to get good staff, there’s enormous opportunity for motivated people wanting to work and travel across the country.

At Agri Labour Australia, we are always looking for great people to join our team. Whether you are traveling with friends, flying solo or are an adventure seeking couple – we’ve got loads of options for you in almost every state and territory.

Our company is known for great working conditions and we are proud of our reputation as an employer of choice among backpackers and working holiday makers from all over the world! We have employed people from the following countries:

Algeria Argentina Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belgium Bhutan Brazil Burundi Cambodia Canada Chile China Colombia Congo Cyprus Czechia Denmark Ecuador Estonia Ethiopia Fiji

Finland France Germany Ghana Greece Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Japan Jordan Kenya Kiribati Korea Lao Macau Malaysia Malta

Mexico Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Norway Pakistan Papua New Guinea Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Romania Rwanda Samoa Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa Spain

Sri Lanka Sudan Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan Thailand Timor-Leste Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Kingdom USA Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Zambia Zimbabwe

We get so many great testimonials from our international candidates. Mathieu Plante and Lisa Androge from France recently took the time to upload a video for us on how working with ALA is helping them travel the country while experiencing different agricultural jobs.

Mathieu and Lisa had a job within three days of applying and we are happy to say they’ve now been with us for over six months. They have been a great asset on the grain and almond harvests, and are now starting on the cotton harvest.

While everyone who works for us has their own story, most of our candidates say the same things about ALA. ‘ALA takes care of us’, ‘ALA really helped us and made sure we were getting paid, having breaks and knew our job’, ‘ALA gave us the best jobs we’ve had since arriving in Australia’.

If you’re considering your work and travel options while in Australia, check out the fantastic jobs on the ALA website. Our team is ready to make you feel welcome and help you start your very next adventure!

 

Our latest Candidate Conversation is with one of our most memorable people, Su Lunga – which means Rainbow! Living up to her wonderful name, Rainbow brings happiness and smiles wherever she goes.

Rainbow has been a part of the Agri Labour Australia team since 2020, and is known for her positivity, smile, hard work and reliability.

We had a chat with Rainbow about what she likes about working in Australia and what her next plans are for the next year. We love talking with Rainbow and also watching her fantastic YouTube video which we know you’ll enjoy as much as we did.

Name: Su Lunga

English nickname: Rainbow

Birthplace: Alxa, Inner Mongolia, China

How long have you been in Australia?

Arrived in Australia in January 2020

What is the role you are currently performing?   
I have been picking coriander in Nobby, which is a small farming community near Toowoomba in Queensland.

What’s the best part about your job?
People care about each other. There’s not a lot of pressure and it’s nice to see everybody enjoying their work and being calm and relaxed.

What’s the most challenging?
Weather! Sometimes it is hot and wet and some places I visited there were a lot of insects or occasionally, snakes! But this is still OK.

What are your career goals?
For now, I think I want to start my Master’s degree in Linguistics, but what I really want to do, is go home to Mongolia and become a herdsman so I can pass down the traditional culture.

How has ALA helped you while you have been working with us?  

ALA have been very helpful to me. Especially Parris! They found me a job that I could start immediately and were always so considerate in helping me with my accommodation and transport problems.

Favourite place in rural Australia and why?
My favourite rural place is Nobby.  The working atmosphere was great and I saved money while I was there! We also got to spend time on the weekends hiking and exploring interesting places which I really enjoyed.

Advice to anyone wanting to do farm work in Australia?

Working with Agri Labour Australia was the best thing for me! Helpful, encouraging and they placed me with good jobs that paid well.

Where to next?

I’m working in the Gold Coast now, after that I’ll go to Melbourne then Tasmania. I extended my visa so I could be here longer as Australia is just SOOO GOOD!