The Australian Grain Harvest Is Preparing for the 2020 Edition

Grain Harvest is exciting to work – set against Australian outback scenery, where people can have fun and be part of a team that works hard and earn a good salary, all while creating memories for a lifetime.

Each year, Grain Harvest jobs are sought after by backpackers, international travellers, grey nomads, students and local residents who are all looking to be a part of this great seasonal work. A range of Grain Harvest roles offers short term job opportunities for any skill set, age group or gender across various locations in Australia. Among the people and teams that Agri Labour has employed to work in the annual grain harvest, many of them return every year and follow the harvest from start to finish.

When and where is the Australian Grain Harvest?

Weather dependent, Grain Harvest usually begins in September and runs through to January. Grain season starts in Queensland before heading south to New South Wales and Victoria. Some grain sites will have extended harvests, while others may only go for a few weeks.

2020 Grain Harvest jobs

From grain sampling to driving a front loader and general site duties, Grain Harvest roles are diverse and interesting. The people will experience working with a variety of crops including wheat, sorghum, canola, barley and chickpeas. Grain Harvest roles may include the following tasks:

• Grain testing – application of a special vacuum to grade the grain and check for moisture, protein, pollutants
• Weighbridge grain receivals and data entry
• Operating front end loaders, grain hoppers, tractors and augers
• Monitoring grain flow
• Storage and protection of grain including tarp folding, welding and bunker covering
• Sweeping, shovelling, dust blowing and other site cleanings
• Working in confined spaces

Skills to work in the 2020 Grain Harvest

Grain Harvest workers need to be committed to the season and have a flexible attitude due to weather often impacting on the ability to process grain. Grain Harvest needs people who have energy and can sustain the pace. Grain sites are dusty, therefore it’s important that grain workers are free from allergies to dust or asthma.

The people must address the following criteria:

• Able to pass drug and alcohol tests
• Physically fit and able to work long hours with flexible shifts
• Have their own means of transport
• High level of English communication skills
• Thrive under pressure
• Strong work ethic
• A great team player
• Previous experience in wheat and grain harvests is highly regarded (not essential)
• Heavy Rigid Truck or higher, and Front-End Loader licences are highly favourable
• Confined Spaces Certificate is a huge plus

Agri Labour Australia aims to make the Grain Harvest employment process easy for both job seeker and employer and genuinely cares about the candidates, their safety and making sure people get the right pay rates and penalties.

When people join Agri Labour Australia for the 2020 Grain Harvest, they can expect:

• A generous salary starting at $26 per hour, with applicable overtime and penalty rates. Higher hourly rates are offered to returning and highly skilled workers.
• Work with friends.
• Connections with more Grain Harvest work and opportunities to travel with the harvest, moving from central Queensland to southern Victoria.
• Hiring local travelling and international candidates.
• Watch videos of the work environment to get an insight into day-to-day tasks.
• Talk to the recruiter regarding any issues or questions.

Safety

Agri Labour Australia is committed to ensuring the safety of all staff. Covid-19 is now also included in the training, induction and pre-employment processes.

Drug and alcohol testing will also be carried out prior to people being contracted by Agri Labour Australia and randomly throughout the Grain Harvest season.

Source: Agri Labour