As most backpackers in Aus on working holiday visas will
already be aware, if you do your part for Australia and put in some work, they
will be kind enough to grant you a second year. That’s right a whole extra
year! The requirements are that you complete 88days worth of ‘specified work’
which consists mostly of rural jobs, in ‘regional areas’ which is basically
anywhere that isn’t a big city – for more detailed info check out: https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/417-
When we first decided that this was something we wanted to
do, I trawled the internet looking for advice or reviews of certain areas and
really struggled. So here is a little something based on my experience that I
would love to share.
I’m currently at the point where I’ve lived in a place
called Shepparton for the past 4 months, and have just got 68 of the 88 days
signed off. That means that the majority of my year to date has been spent in
what I would call a small town (though don’t say that to locals... they will
soon correct you and let you know it’s a rural city!).
I feel like we have been blessed in our experience and know
that we have had it easy compared to many – as an example of what I mean, Becky
and I have worked for one company for the entirety of the past 4 months, the
vast majority of this being under the same manager. A combination of making
sure we worked hard, were friendly, were vocal about how much we appreciated
the work and wanted more and to be completely honest, sheer luck, has made this
happen.
So here are some myths I wanted to dispel for those
seriously considering farm work:
It’s 3 months of work
Not a chance. By the time we are finished we will have spent
at least 5 months doing this work, which has been the case for most people we
have come into contact with. If you’re a casual member of staff, which is
highly likely if you are working on orchards pruning or picking, then they can
only sign off days worked. This means weekends, public holidays, days where
weather stops you starting work – these don’t count. For us, starting work in
November and going until late Feb, there were more public holidays than would
have been preferred (I mean really, Victoria, who needs a day off for a horse
race?) but these broke up the chunk of work, and meant we had time to
drive to Sydney for NYE. So I guess it is bittersweet, depending on your
stamina for work.
Having said that – it’s not always that way; there are
instances where you can get on contracts with companies and they will sign all
days contracted (SPC in Shep is good example of this).
However, I still think a realistic mindset coming into it
would be to expect to spend 4-5 months completing the work. If that’s starting
to sound too much and not worth it anymore? Maybe you should just make the most
of your 1 year.
You’ll be surrounded by other backpackers/like
minded people
The whole time in Shepparton we have met less than 10 other
workers completing the work for visa reasons. The farms we have been working on
have a steady base of workers who work there the entire year. They, understandably,
get massive priority over the work available and the managers will often try to
ensure they are kept busy. Who can blame them? You’re gonna be history in a
month or two and they’re still gonna need people there to do the shitty jobs or
the jobs that require a bit more experience on the orchard.
So, thinking of it that way, there’s only really space for you when there is unusually high labour is required. But because of this group of steady workers, they don’t need huge numbers, just some to increase the workforce. This isn’t to mention that many managers have a preference towards Asian workers, who typically work harder and are willing to work longer hours, for less money and don’t complain. That is not me being racist; that is just the reality I saw. So let’s just say managers aren’t scrambling to fill positions with backpackers. You’re going to have to put aside a lot of what you think is reasonable working expectations and just work as hard as you can when given the chance to prove you’re worth the try. Before I finished, I worked 80hours in 10 consecutive days, because I knew the work was running out and wanted to do as much as I could before it ended. (That said, please look after yourself with water and good meals – I didn’t and had a two day recovery period after where I was rough as).
Now – this WILL be different if you choose to live in and
get work with a working hostel of course. I’m talking from our viewpoint and we
did everything independently. Lived in a houseshare, found the work directly
with the manager, got ourselves everywhere we needed to be.
You’ll be able to save up money for travelling
Hahaha… this was one of my favourite misconceptions I came
with. Out of the $7000 I’ve earnt here, I’ve saved around $2000. I know they
aren’t awful numbers but when I think about the expenses I’ve had, I should
have been able to easily live on $300 a week… So where’d the rest go? Well we’ve
admittedly done a few trips to Melbourne and to Sydney for NYE, and spoiled
each other at Christmas since we were away from family…
But the main problem we had is that the pay changed
depending on the job you were doing. Thinning nashis, picking cherries, male
pruning on kiwi trees – these were all contract jobs, paid a certain amount for
what you do (i.e. a lug of cherries was $15-20). Then thinning kiwis, female
pruning on kiwi trees and picking nashis has all been hourly pay ($21.61
minimum wage for casual staff). So despite having earnt $7000, it’s not been
even. Our worst week to date had a lot of rain and not much available work and
we walked out with $160 for the week. Whereas hourly paid weeks we’ve come home
to $900+. I think this makes it difficult to save since you have to constantly
sub yourself for the worse weeks. To sum it up – work is inconsistent, pay is
inconsistent... these don’t lead to saving easily.
I mean my $800 speeding fines didn’t help the situation
either… but that’s a different topic…
You’ll be exploited at every opportunity
Now – there are many horror stories out there. However, if
you take precautions to make sure no one is taking the piss (avoid working
hostels and contractors if at all possible, who have different priorities to
you) I honestly don’t feel like everyone is out to get you.
As I mentioned previously, you’re gonna have to leave behind
your previous standards of reasonable working situations etc and go with the
flow. There are workers out there willing to do it, so if you don’t, you’re not
gonna start a revolution, you’re just gonna miss the working opportunity. It’s
shit – but it’s the reality, so deal with it or don’t do it.
It’s hot everyday
Okay so this is more Victoria specific than anything. We
have worked days where we have finished early because it’s hitting 40+ degrees
and then the next day not been able to go in at all because of rain. We’ve
missed more working days for rain than sun that’s for sure. Personally, I don’t
mind it because I couldn’t deal with either for the entirety, so mixing it up
works for me.
All of that said and done – I have had such a positive
experience overall here in Shep (despite speeding fines, some idiot busting my
wing mirror off, tonsillitis, a broken toe and countless bruises). I’ve worked
harder for my money than I’ve ever worked in my life and I really think that’s
been a really good experience to have.
I’ve been working with many Punjabi immigrants to Australia
who work harder than anyone else I’ve met in my life, some with their families
and children still living in India. It’s been a humbling experience and these
people are some of the nicest and most welcoming people I’ve met on my travels.
We have really been embraced by them while working there, working through
language barriers. Oh and not to forget they’re extremely honest, as I’m coming
to learn is a recurring theme with Asians… My favourite quote: Paris you look
good now! When you first came to this farm you had some fat *rubs stomach*.
There’s a compliment in there somewhere right?
Even if I don’t end up using my second year (which is a
serious possibility if they impose the 32% flat rate tax for working holiday
visa holders) I wouldn’t regret the 5 months I’ve spent doing this as it’s
something I’ve never thought I’d do and will be unlikely to repeat. I've learnt things about the world and fruit production in particular that I had no idea about as well as achieving some sort of personal development. If you can
come into farm work with that mindset – then you will not regret it at all.
However if you think you’ll work half-arsed for 3 months, save a ton of money and
be handed another 12 months – my advice would be to just enjoy the 12 you already have.
