What are the conditions of employment?

Accommodation

- The employer provides all accommodation with most of the harvest crews staying in caravans. These are large with air conditioning, toilets, showers, cooking facilities and sometimes a laundry. Sleeping arrangements vary with up to eight employees in bunk beds. Remember you are working and living with your colleagues so a high standard of housekeeping is essential. Everyone is expected to do their share, so if you don't do dishes and clean bathrooms now you should expect to when on the harvest run. Do not apply if you will be uncomfortable living with others in close quarters. Some crews will be accommodated in motels. For those employed on farms the employer will furnish housing with full facilities.

Meals

- These are furnished by the harvester, though the system of payment and reimbursement may vary. You will be given either home cooked meals, supplied food to be prepared by you and the rest of the crew or taken to cafes, diners or truck stops. When you are harvesting you can expect meals to be brought to the field. Any snacks between meals are your responsibility though some employers will supply these. Farm employees are responsible for the purchase and preparation of their own food.

Hours

- Hours are determined by the weather conditions. For much of the season you will leave the caravan at 7:00 am and not return until 11:00 pm to midnight. This will continue for seven days a week if the weather holds. It is impossible to predict how much time you will have to yourself but you can expect to be driving something most of the time. There will be opportunities to visit points of interest and tourist attractions on the days you are not working. Farm employees hours can vary according to the time of the year. On a farm you can expect to be working from 40 to 80 hours a week. Australians are admired for their willingness to take up the challenge of long hours of work so if you are not prepared to continue this do not apply.

Travel costs

- The employer is required to reimburse you for ½ of the travel cost at the completion of ½ the work contract time. The remainder will be reimbursed at the completion of the contract. Travel costs are taken as the fare between Melbourne or Sydney airport and the airport at which the employer requires you to arrive or disembark. So that we can coordinate arrivals and connections to suit employers we arrange the travel on your behalf. Specific arrangements will be made for you, taking into account your choices for travel at the completion of the contract. - - Estimate of reimbursable amount = from AUD$2450 (including taxes) or USD1840

Laundry

- Normally you will wash your clothes as time allows. Some caravans will have washing and drying facilities, otherwise, you will need to use a laundromat. These cost very little but remain your expense. Washing must be done during your own time.