jalapeno

If you are with vodaphone then no you will get naff all signal! But go with Telstra and you SHOULD be ok. We worked pretty much 5 days I think. For about a month but we only finished because the season ended and people had been there since April - nov. So you will be able to get all your days done there I think!

Yes I would say go for it. You don't know until you try and if you don't like it then fair enough There are different ways to pick zuchinnis. When we worked on Anna's farm she have us a knife and a belt and you attached the bucket to your belt and fill the bucket whilst you get used to it and then after a bit more experience she will let you just pick normally and hold them in your arms and put them into a boon (which is a tractor with a sort of conveyor belt on the back) and you put the zuchinnis on there and you go up and down each rows until all are picked. They have to be a certain size and I think for Anna it is the size of your knife. But the other zuchinnis farm we worked on didn't use a knife literally had to twist and pull but Anna likes to use knife. It is a lot of bending down and I seriously struggled the first and seriously felt like my back was so painful but seriously after a few days you defo get used to it and it gets a lot easier!! Just make sure you have a few long sleeve tops as zuchinnis plants are prickly and scratch you! (as not many places to buy from in Ayr - try jayjays or cotton on for some cheap ones as they will only get dirty) and also a good pair of gloves which you can get from Coles (the ones with the breathable material about $8) and also a big round hat. I think Anna prob told you she won't employ you without a round hat as you will most likely be in the sun all day and it defo helps. Also some sturdy old trainers or some crocs (hate crocs but easy and breathable and if you get wet they dry quick you can get from Kmart maybe $10) Also some long trousers too to stop legs getting scratched! Hope this helps!! And plus once you have all this stuff it's handy for other farms too!

Anna booth? We worked for her and she is a legit lady. I think you work 1.5hrs for accommodation and the rest about $20ph. She is tough but if you respect her she will respect you. She is a good farmer and she likes hard workers. If you work hard then she will be so nice to you. She also put us in contact with another farmer in VIC once the season with her finished which was so helpful and we worked there too. It is hard work but as I say I don't know anyone who can say farm work is easy. No matter what you are doing you will find things to complain about. If you want to get your days done I would say going to Annas is a good start. You could fly to Townsville and get the bus down. Her farm is about 30mins from the town of Ayr in a place call Clare but they do weekly food shops into town etc. I would say go for it if it is Anna! It's good money too and because your in the middle of nowhere you can't spend any money! Lol

Is it Anna?

What's her name?

Zuchinnis are the worst with bending down all day and chasing after a tractor to put them in BUT your back will get used to it. It's not easy but no farm work is. I would say take it and see. Which farm is it for I may know if it's a good farm since we picked zuchinnis in ayr. Will u be living on a farm?

Cool good luck on the search!

Good luck Scott you will have an amazing Aussie adventure no doubt! You will fall in love with the country! It's so diverse and amazing and so much to see! Just to clarify you won't find your regional work (if this is what you meant by specific work) in Melbourne itself. Although you may find it in plenty of places around VIC

Well we did all sorts of things! Picking zuchinnis, grapes, mangoes, squash and packing melons and capsicums and probably other things too! Too many different things. If you are in the sheperton area and don't mind going a bit further, you can try cactus country in strathmerton in Vic....not sure what the number is but if you google you will find. It's half paid at $13ph BUT this can increase once you prove yourself and half food and accommodation. Ask for Julie or John I think. They can treat you like a slave but I don't know any farmers apart from 3 who didn't!! but if you really want your days done and really want your visa then hey ho that's a start! Hopefully it is the picking season now I think just prepare yourself for long days and serious hard work. We also to a working hostel in Ayr in Qld but I had the worst experience ever there and I would never ever ever ever ever recommend them to you (lazy lizard hostel and I tell you the name so you don't end up going!!) absolute money grabbers and the owner is THE biggest prick in the whole of qld and I'm not just saying that. Plz take my experience - the farms don't give his hostel work because they don't like him. It's a small town and everyone knows everyone and that means they don't forget rifts and things and that is dead true!! And that's why the lazy lizard take your money but you end up waiting ages for any kind of work and if you get one day then you won't be allowed to work at any other places because that would count as you having a job. Anyway rant over..... You can also try Bowen for tomatoes picking but it's paid by what you pick so it's hard work to earn money. I'm not sure what the seasons are. You can also try in SA I think maybe cherry season but didn't work there! Sorry I hope this helps!

I agree! Go alone because you will have more freedom and only have to worry about yourself. Sydney is great for meeting new people and you will meet loads of people in hostels and traveling around!!!

The best thing is to look at the oztrail harvest guide. It's provided by the government and it gives you info on where to go and what's in season to pick at certain times etc. also - I would advise that it's is a massive advantage to be in these places to work rather than applying before you get there because in a nice way - they could say they will save a job for you until you arrive but then the next person who gets there who can do the job will probably snap it up. Because they are already there. It sucks but that's the way it is. Just be realistic and make sure you give yourself loads of time to complete the 88days. Try not to expect continuous 88 days of work as it depends on seasons. It took me and my bf 5 months to finish the 88 days due to the delay in produce and end of seasons and end of picking etc. I'm not saying everyone's experience takes that long but just be mindful that it can happen. Most jobs we did we're paid hourly. Only one job was half paid and half food and accommodation. But by the time you are nearing the end of the 88days, you will do anything to speed it up haha!! Good luck!!

Of course I totally agree! If they wanted to get his criminal info they could anyway regardless of if it was 'spent' and he knows he regrets it and takes full responsibility for his actions back then. I have said to him they are most likely to ask him questions about it when he declares the conviction on the passenger card anyway and to just be 100% honest and make their job easier and make it as easy as poss! and expect a little delay in going though the boarder!

He is on the 651 visa and meets the requirement. So we will stay on this one after being advised that he will be fine by immi phone call. Also his conviction was over 13 years ago now and in theory it will be classed as 'spent' after 10 years which technically means it's gone from his record. However, we will still declare of course and all should be fine. I'm freaking out over nothing lol! Thank you all for your help

Ok so I spoke to immigration on the phone and he has informed me that my step-dad should be fine to travel on the evisitor 651 visa and make sure he declares it on the passenger card as his conviction was for 9 months and the requirements for this visa is that the passenger does not have any criminal convictions totalling 12 months or more. I have also emailed them hoping for them to put this in writing to be sure (even though I know that ultimately it is the person at the boarder who gets the last say) If they reply to say its best to go for the 600 visa then we will do that. I had a look on the immi website and I am a bit confused about how much the 600 visa costs?

Oh ok I guess we will apply for that one then instead just to be certain! I don't want any dishonesty or confusion to affect him coming all this way! Thanks for your advise x

I guess.... Now I'm unsure. I will call immi tomorrow and ask but just in case, how much does the 600 visa cost and how long does it take to process? L

I can see that. But his conviction was only for 9months not over 12? confused.com.....

Ok now I'm confused. As the 651 visa only says you can't apply if you have had any convictions of 12 months or over. I can't see where it says you shouldn't apply if you have any convictions at all??

ok thank you all for being so helpful! now we just have to book the flights! and then a long count down until they arrive ahah! :jiggy:

Yes we wil labsolutely declare. I think its only best to be honest! and let them know that there was no where to state any convictions less that 12 months and that this indicated that a conviction less than 12 months was not a restriction for applying! I think im overthinking it!...... thank you!

Also - having a look at the passenger declaration card, i see that it states - 'do you have any crmiminal conviction/s?' I understand he will have to tick YES for this answer. Does anyone know what the procedure is for going through immigration? what will they say to him or what will he have to do? Will he be able to come in? or will he be turned away

Just an update for everyone! I found out that my step-dad was actually sentenced to 9 months but only served 6 weeks in year 2000. Either way, this still complies with the visa requirements for the eVisitor (651) visa where the requirements are as follows - During the application for the eVisitor visa there is actually no where to declare any convictions at all. I believe this is because if you did have any convictions over 12 months, you wouldnt be able to apply for this particular visa at all so the option to declare any convictions under 12months is maybe not necessary. Happy to say that my mum of course has been granted her tourist visa and my step dad has also been granted his tourist visa

I agree with everything that has already been said. You can actually open up a bank account online with ANZ before you actually arrive in Australia. Once you arrive, all you need to do is go into your selected local branch and show your passport and they will give you your bank card. So atleast you will be prepared for earning money Australia is beautiful and full of all different kinds of backpackers and locals. You will surely meet some characters on your travels so no problem there! Plenty of people are in the same position and looking for like minded people to hang with on their trip. I would defo save as much as you can to tie you over until you find a job. We found jobs through gumtree and seek.com.au Bare in mind that some employers see the 6 month work restriction off putting as they would prefer to invest putting training in a long term employee rather than just for 6 months. However, my fiance got a job within the first week working in a call centre for $25ph. The hours werent great but it was good money and i think call centre jobs are easy to come across. You can also try different recruitment agencies too

ok well thanks everyone fir your input and i will update you on our outcome when they apply for the visa

I dont understand the stressed emoticon...........