Working Here
Practice your English skills, and have fun working with the locals!
The Seasons
The banana industry works and harvests fruit all year round. The need for workers in bananas varies a little across the year, depending on how rapidly the plants are growing.
Other crops have a more defined season. A chart of seasonal demand for workers is here.
The Law
The Australian government encourages working holiday makers and backpackers from a wide range of countries to work in Australia. You need to make arrangements before coming here. More details on how to go about this can be found on the Australian Department of Immigration website.
What is the Work Like?
It depends on what job you are doing, of course. If you are working harvesting bananas, you need to be quite fit. "Humping" as it is known, is heavy work. You should be able to carry about 50 kg on your shoulders. You won't have to lift this, just support it as you carry the bunch - gently- to the trailer and put it down.
The conditions can be hot in summer. At any time of the year you should bring a hat, sunscreen, and loose cotton clothing.
Sorting fruit takes place under cover in a processing factory. It requires persistent attention to detail. And it is not so hot.
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