Jobs
Our greatest asset is our people. Without a large, dedicated and enthusiastic workforce, we just have plants in the ground. To turn them into juicy, sweet strawberries requires people and we take pride in offering a safe, happy workplace that complies with and exceeds employment legislation.
We are known as one of the best-paying and most caring farms in our area. We ensure our staff earn great rates and also have time to enjoy themselves and explore the region. We have a multi-cultural, multi-gendered workplace that welcomes anybody to join our team (providing they are happy, respectful and willing to participate). While the vast majority of jobs are seasonal, harvest-related positions, there are some opportunities for longer-term positions and we hand-pick candidates from our picking teams for those roles. Positions in our air-conditioned packing shed are highly sought as we pay the highest rates and have generous bonus systems to ensure our packers earn great money in less hours than other farms. If you are interested in a position, please complete the form below.
If you are new to Australia or new to the workforce, it is a good idea to apply for a Tax File Number TFN with the Australian Taxation Office ATO. It is also beneficial for you to open a superannuation account with a provider. We use Sunsuper as our industry fund but you can research funds and select your own. If you ‘own’ the fund and know how to log in and check your balance, you can ensure your various employers are paying your superannuation entitlements correctly. You will also need a bank account. Make sure you store all of those important numbers.
Strawberry Picking FAQs
How are strawberries picked?Pickers sit on a trolley that has a small roof for sun protection. You sit amongst the plants and pick one plant on either side of your seat and push backwards down the rows. Our equipment is designed for picking at speed and to reduce fatigue on our staff to optimise earning potential and fruit quality. By using trolleys, back muscles aren’t overworked.
How is the work paid?We mostly have piece rate positions which pay by the kilogram picked.
What is the kilogram price/rate:The rate varies depending on time spent in field, yield and production. It is calculated each day by computer and according to Fair Work legislation to ensure effort is rewarded.
How much should I expect to earn per hour?The faster, experienced pickers earn up to $45 per hour whilst new, inexperienced workers earn from $10 on their first day but this should increase every day with experience and confidence. It takes, on average, 3 weeks to be earning the casual rate equivalent (around $24).
Is there any training subsidy?This is completely at the discretion of management, who do reward effort and enthusiasm. There are some government incentives for Australian workers, ask us about current programs.
What are the typical working hours?Start times vary with the changing day length. We only work in daylight hours and usually start at 7 am. We have been doing this work for decades and understand that the body gets sore and tired if overworked. We aim to do no more than 7 hours picking each day and try to have at least one or two days off per week to refresh. Weekend work is a given but we do have a roster system that ensures the crop is picked without wearing everyone out.