Why Is It So Hard to Find a Farm Job?

LKristinnn on 08/02/2024 - 17:52

I’ve been applying for jobs for over two months. I only applied for those positions in Victoria at first but recently i realized that it’s not easy to get one so I’m looking for the regional area in VIC, SA, NSW, WA, QLD. I also applied some meat factories’ positions, some fruit picking and packing positions…

I’ve called so many companies and sent tons of applications and got a lot of rejection emails. Some agents or HR just said we’re not hiring at the moment. I know it may be harder because I almost have no experience in agriculture or livestock but I’m still shocked by the results. Like, i sit in front of my computer in the morning until evening to seek jobs and I’ve never ever been this confused and sad. I don’t even mind if i get the lowest legal pay or working seven days a week all I want is just work 🥲

Education & Work

Comments

  • brendanm on 08/02/2024 - 18:08
    +6

    Something doesn't compute here.

  • pegaxs on 08/02/2024 - 18:11
    +22

    You’re not an overseas student/backpacker that they can manipulate and underpay.

    I know heaps of farmers around my area that are begging for staff, but when given the option to hire, they don’t want Australian staff because most of them want to pay cash in hand and pay like $5/h to illegals and backpackers desperate to fulfil their 88 day work visa stipulations.

    • Bunnyburger on 08/02/2024 - 18:27
      +2

      Yeah, poor english and lack of understanding of employment laws helps a ton!

    • Kristinnn on 08/02/2024 - 18:39

      that is ridiculous omg

      • AndyC1 on 08/02/2024 - 19:53
        +3

        Looks like you have not done your homework as this is the norm in allot of the ag gig economy.

      • hasher22 on 08/02/2024 - 21:42

        I agree but this exploitation been happening for decades

    • SydStrand on 09/02/2024 - 00:01
      +1

      Yep. Used to travel a lot doing on-site support for farms in Gippsland, and 90% of the 'ground crew' you'd meet at large dairies were backpackers, most of whom had never seen a cow in person before. The host would provide free housing (demountable with bunks) and pay $100 cash for 10 hours of hard manual labour in frozen cow shit starting at dawn.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 08/02/2024 - 18:29

    Think you missed the boat, they generally want hands prior to December

    • Kristinnn on 08/02/2024 - 18:35

      Yeah i was a Christmas casual during that time

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/02/2024 - 18:34

    HR

    HR… on a farm?

    • Kristinnn on 08/02/2024 - 18:37

      nah HR from those agri companies

    • Nugs on 08/02/2024 - 18:42
      +3

      Heavy Rigid?
      .

  • AustriaBargain on 08/02/2024 - 18:47
    +3

    If you're willing to work for less than minimum wage and for cash they are easy to find.

  • Iwantthebestprice on 08/02/2024 - 18:54
    +4

    Mates dad is a farmer, all I ever see on his farm when I travel is Indians and Asians who speak next to know English and would have zero clue around any employment law. I assume they get paid bare minimum and don’t ever complain. I don’t even know where he finds them if via a website or migration company but there is a whole business for this which unfortunately will affect you doing this work. It’s a joke it’s still happening in 2024 and I have no idea why the government does nothing about this!

    • randomusername2017 on 08/02/2024 - 19:50
      +13

      next to know English

      Can they weed and white though?

    • ihbh on 08/02/2024 - 21:56
      +1

      I have no idea why the government does nothing about this!

      And push up food prices dramatically and get voted out by the public?

  • Dollar General on 08/02/2024 - 19:22
    +9

    If you want to be paid the lowest legal amount you’re not going to get a job

    They pay well below minimum and dock you a hefty amount for accommodation and food. Then they complain to Murdoch media who need a news story on how aussies are bludgers and only want high paying jobs

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 08/02/2024 - 19:34
      +5

      Also Murdoch media "It ain't hard to get a farm job, just buy a farm"

  • mapax on 08/02/2024 - 19:29
    +2

    Some of the farm jobs now go to people who are disabled and “work for the dole”. The employer gets a gov payment and bonuses etc.

    Do you have any skills, qualifications or MR licence?

    • Kristinnn on 08/02/2024 - 23:58
      +1

      unfortunately i only have some customer service experience and a bachelor of architecture degree i just graduated from uni a few months ago

      • mapax on 09/02/2024 - 13:43

        What area do you live in?
        Have you considered mowing for a council? Likely tasks are often operating a ride on mower, brushcutting, leaf blowing etc.

        Councils will often take unskilled workers and train them up for mowing positions, sometimes you have to go through a labour hire company though.

        The degree could be seen as a hinderance though, as they usually want people to stay at least a few years to make it worthwhile in getting them trained for a chem certificate and a truck licence.

        • Kristinnn on 09/02/2024 - 17:54

          i live in the west area of melbourne never think of this before sounds awesome!! but i gotta find a job asap because my visa is gonna expire this year so it's a bit hard to get a certificate or licence at the moment. thank you for your advice! i really appreciate!

          • mapax on 09/02/2024 - 18:34

            @Kristinnn: Depending on the council/company you don’t necessarily need either of those to be a mower, if they think you have good work ethic and pass the probation period they will pay for you to get them.

            Turn your private messages on, or PM me. I asked a mate if he knows of any jobs, he has nothing solid at the moment but gave me a general employment link that you could apply for.

            • Kristinnn on 09/02/2024 - 22:08

              @mapax: thank you mate just sent you a message

  • 7ekn00 on 08/02/2024 - 19:58

    DEI quotas, the jobs are going to migrants, people of color and disabled first ;)

  • Benoffie on 08/02/2024 - 20:18
    +2

    Depends on the work. For example, SA is about to go into Harvest/Vintage. Then after that itll be Riverland and Hills for winter fruits and then lambing and sheering season and then wheat harvest etc.

    People move with the work unless they are on stations. If you want work here, email vineyards etc direct.

    • Kristinnn on 08/02/2024 - 23:59
      +1

      thank you so much for ur advice!

  • DJR9000 on 08/02/2024 - 21:54
    +1

    Wine vintage coming up. Hunter valley is already mostly picked, looking like early vintage across the board maybe with our unusual summer. Ring a few regional wine associations and see who's hiring.

    • Kristinnn on 09/02/2024 - 00:02
      +1

      thank you mate i’ll do some research and contact them tomorrow

  • scooba on 08/02/2024 - 23:15

    "I don’t even mind if i get the lowest legal pay or working seven days a week all I want is just work"

    Herein lies the problem…

    • Kristinnn on 09/02/2024 - 00:02

      i know right🥲

      • scooba on 09/02/2024 - 00:20

        I'm really sorry to say this, but you have misread my comment.

  • Ozbargainite on 09/02/2024 - 00:12
    +2

    Good Luck. You sound like you deserve some.

    • Kristinnn on 09/02/2024 - 17:47

      thank you mate i'll keep trying!

  • Sinnerator on 09/02/2024 - 08:28
    +2

    because all international working holiday visa holders need to do a farm stay/work to extend their visa by an extra 12 months

  • ramshead on 09/02/2024 - 09:22
    +1

    Baiada often advertise for chicken catchers. Usually will need your own transport. Good luck.

    • Kristinnn on 09/02/2024 - 17:47

      thank you mate i'll search this one have a good day!

  • 2esc on 09/02/2024 - 13:30
    +1

    I reason you may not be having any luck is if you dont live in the area.

    Some farms get heaps of applications from people just testing the waters thinking about a career change, some when they get a job change their mind and just dont show up.

    Once they think about how far from home it is.

    Losing regular contact with friends and friends.

    Accommodation problems as 99% of farms dont provide accommodation and since covid rental accommodation is very very hard to get in most areas (many regional towns now have more Airbnbs and holiday homes than they did in the past.

    A lot of farms are just tired of people considering a change.

    • Kristinnn on 09/02/2024 - 17:46

      exactly think i need to book the ticket asap

  • bargain huntress on 09/02/2024 - 14:44
    +1

    If youre just looking for casual you will struggle if your aussie for the reasons many have said

    Try the advice to follow the harvest and contact relevant organisations

    If you are serious about a career then you could get a qualification from tafe or uni and then you would able to apply for the jobs that need that. Then youre not competing with exploitable illegals and backpackers

    And if you're serious about a whole new lifestyle and a straight female then the TV show Farmer Wants a Wife is pretty much always casting

    • Kristinnn on 09/02/2024 - 17:43

      thank your so much mate really appreciate!

  • afah0447 on 09/02/2024 - 16:34

    Call up A Current Affairs or Ch 7,9 or 10 and tell them you can't find a farm job. As soon as the politicians find this out you'll get thousands of job offers!

    • Kristinnn on 09/02/2024 - 17:44

      that definitely works! hahaha

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