saren Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Hi everyone, Just a few general questions about fruit picking in Tasmania, in February, and March, i am on a WHV, i know it's too late for cherries, but apples are approaching, how easy is it to find work without the services of a "working hostel"? What method is most effective to secure casual work? Email farms? Calling in? I can't go door, to door, as i don't have a personal transport. I am researching websites, like pickingjobs, and other Australian job sites, but just wondering how far I'd get without the help of a working hostel? How much per hour, or per day (4am-12pm shift) can I expect if i work quickly? Are there are any deductions, expenses the farm will subtract from my earnings? Like food, shower, getting to/from the farm, etc.. I'll for sure check the noticeboards on hostels, but I think they only help out people who stay as guests in the hostel, something I'm not interested in doing (mostly because i will have accommodation elsewhere). Staying with friends mostly nearby the picking areas south of Hobart, but also throughout Tasmania. I don't have a campervan, or a tent. I usually get lifts from friends and mostly hitchhiking (far distances), cycling (short distances). What do you think? How should I go about securing work? Any advice from backpackers who didn't stay at hostels? Also, if given the choice, should I opt for working hourly, or by weight? I am pretty quick worker. Just curious what the pros/cons are of each picking method? My purpose is to make as much as possible before the Tasmanian weather cools down. Also, if you know, does it make a difference (in how much a picker) makes if he works alone, or in unison with other pickers? Are earnings dependent on teamwork? Thanks, and sorry for so many questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I can't help with the "technical" questions but cherries are still being picked at the moment. Don't know where you are, though. There will also be pears about the same time as apples and grapes after that...but don't know how long you want to stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saren Posted January 16, 2013 Author Share Posted January 16, 2013 I will be there Feb, and March, i am doing a circle around Tasmania, combination of couchsurfing, helpxchange, and paid work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalis Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Tasmania has got an infamous reputation amongst backpackers for bad working hostels. Google a few reviews and find out. Heard some right horror stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saren Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 Actually i will be using the arrangements of working hostels, because i won't be staying in hostels during my trip, like i said i will be couchsurfing, and helpx/wwoofing, with paid work on the side, if i can arrange it. Accomodation is already taken care of, just need to find paying work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saren Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 I meant to say i will NOT be using the arrangements of working hostels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I have a sticky on here for fruit picking work in Tas http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/backpacking-whv/150639-fruit-picking-jobs-tasmania-backpackers-working-holiday-visa.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalis Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Working hostels are the easiest way tbh, but word of mouth next best followed by a visit to the farm. If not any of these a phonecall but I'd get used to the idea of ringing a few as farms get deluged with offers of 2nd year work. Whatever you do plan well in advance. If say the season starts in May for example, be there by latest mid april. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saren Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 I'm arriving in February, and i have done no advance contact/preparation, my guess is to just travel around, talking to people, and maybe they'd offer a job with their friends (who own farms), a kind of word of mouth, right place, right time kind of thing. I don't think door, to door or cold calling works very well in regional Australia, does it? Actually, does it work well anywhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 There was a segment on the local Tasmanian ABC TV news last night about backpackers and harvesting work. The two employers interviewed said they both used labour hire firms to recruit their workers. But they didn't name the firms concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saren Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 LIke recruitment agency, i guess that's good for them, but it is costly for backpackers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 LIke recruitment agency, i guess that's good for them, but it is costly for backpackers. Labour hire firms here have traditionally charged the employers, not the employees. I haven't heard anything recently about the process changing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saren Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 How do i get in contact with labour hire firms in Tasmania Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickachu Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Google labour hire firms in Tasmania and search for their contact details. Then email or phone them. Simples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 There are some contact details under Employment Contacts here: http://www.workaboutaustralia.com.au/Highlighted_Locations/Tasmania/tasmania.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 How do i get in contact with labour hire firms in Tasmania Lots of contact details on the post that was hyperlinked earlier in the thread, but here it is again http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/backpacking-whv/150639-fruit-picking-jobs-tasmania-backpackers-working-holiday-visa.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saren Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 I did a gooogle search and found a few labour hire firms, many are regional, and few are national wide, they cater more toward people with transferable skills like boilermakers, and forklift drivers, with unskilled laboure jobs the minority. Hopefully can find something through them., Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalis Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I did a gooogle search and found a few labour hire firms, many are regional, and few are national wide, they cater more toward people with transferable skills like boilermakers, and forklift drivers, with unskilled laboure jobs the minority. Hopefully can find something through them., Welcome to Oz lol. Better get used to the idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I did a gooogle search and found a few labour hire firms, many are regional, and few are national wide, they cater more toward people with transferable skills like boilermakers, and forklift drivers, with unskilled laboure jobs the minority. Hopefully can find something through them., The top company on that link I gave you above Work Direct Labour Hire in Devonport was probably the one used by the employers on the ABC program the other day as they were both in the Devonport area. You could ask them who does equivalent hiring in southern Tasmania (if they don't). I suspect that the firms hiring backpackers for harvesting would all be regional. The nationwide ones would specialise in trades/skilled work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saren Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 It seems like you have have your own transport, that may be a problem for me as i usually hitchhike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Backpackers, by definition, don't have their own transport. But I guess that's why they use working hostels...which provide transport to and from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalis Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 It seems like you have have your own transport, that may be a problem for me as i usually hitchhike I get the distinct impression you are on a wind up. In fact, I am almost certain you are another poster on here with a sockpuppet account, good effort though almost had me going! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalis Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Backpackers, by definition, don't have their own transport. But I guess that's why they use working hostels...which provide transport to and from. True but it's amazing the amount of prospective employers who demand it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saren Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 I meant they expect you (the employers), not you Skani. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I get the distinct impression you are on a wind up. In fact, I am almost certain you are another poster on here with a sockpuppet account, good effort though almost had me going! I did wonder if he was jackrew (again). But the written English is better...maybe a cousin? :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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