Temporary Harvesting Work in Australia

28th of June 2009

Be part of the Western Australia Harvest, temporary jobs available from October 2009

If you're spending all or part of your gap year, career break or extended holiday in Australia and you can be in Western Australia from October 2009, you could find a job with the CBH Group and help with the Western Australia Grain Harvest.
 
Although Harvest doesn’t begin until October, the CBH Recruitment Process starts from May through to August. If you are interested in working with CBH during the 2009/2010 Harvest, ensure to submit your application as early as possible.

The work is rewarding and many casual employees return on an annual basis. The hourly rates are competitive and accommodation is available at no charge. The number of vacancies and length of employment varies according to the size of the harvest and harvesting programmes of growers.

You should hold a Working Holiday Visa, have good communications skills, be able to follow procedures and work in a team based environment. Given the nature of the work you’ll need to be physically fit and happy working at heights as well as working flexible hours.

There is a requirement to pass an Alcohol and Other Drugs test prior to employment. This will normally be conducted during training and induction. Random testing applies during harvest.

There are three types of positions available in the country areas: Grain Samplers, Weighbridge Officers and Receival Point Operators.

Grain Samplers
A Grain Sampler extracts a sample of grain from the load being delivered and assesses the sample against standards set, using mechanical and physical analysis. The Sampler classifies the grain and, based on the assessment, will either accept or reject the load for discharge into the CBH storage and handling system. Successful completion of training is required prior to an offer of employment.

Weighbridge Officers
A Weighbridge Officer weighs the load being delivered pre and post discharge. Weighbridge Officers use electronic weighbridges and computerised data capture systems to facilitate payment to growers. Successful completion of training is required prior to an offer of employment.

Receival Point Operators (RPOs)
A RPO facilitates the movement of grain into the allocated storage and operates grain handling equipment as required. RPOs ensure the efficient discharge of grain and maintain hygiene around the discharge and in loading areas. Attendance at, and satisfactory completion of CBH delivered Safety & Induction Training is a requirement for employment to an RPO position.

More Information:

Visit the CBH Group Jobs website

Gapwork Gap Year Jobs Tips: Seasonal Work in Australia

Australia has a huge farming industry and harvesting and fruit picking is a tried and tested form of backpacker and gap year student job searching. It can be hard work, it won't make you rich, but a gap year or student working holiday spent harvesting and fruit picking is a great way to see Australia. One of the reasons the Australian government is so keen to set up working holiday programmes with other countries is that there is a chronic shortage of workers to help with harvesting - so, if you're relatively fit and keen enough to spend all day in an Australian field, you should have no problem finding work come harvest time!

Spending at least 3 months on a farm or doing harvest and agricultural work will also allow you to spend more time in Australia! From November 1st 2005 it became possible to apply for a second working holiday visa which will give you 12 more months in Australia - as long as you have worked for 3 months within a primary industries position (harvesting, fruit picking, meat works etc).

For more information on Jobs in Australia visit our Australia Jobs section, for info on getting an Australia Working Holiday Visa visit our Australia Visa page and to find out more about Harvesting visit our Harvesting Jobs page.

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