Australians encouraged to take up jobs in regional areas

There’s a mini jobs boom about to happen - and Grey Nomads could benefit by turning their holidays into a lucrative money maker.

Aussies are being offered up to $2000 a week to lure them to the regions to fill critical workforce shortages, as Covid-19 lockdowns threaten to destroy Australia’s $9.3 billion crop industry.

Up to 3000 jobs are on offer across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia including fruit picking, grain harvesting, truck driving, customer service and cattle station work.

Usually, skilled workers from the Northern Hemisphere would travel to Australia to work on the harvest.

But since the Covid-19 crisis began and with border closures, Australia has struggled to find enough foreign workers to help harvest crops, with estimates the shortfall is as high as 25,000 workers.

“Almost 40,000 Grey Nomads are on the road at any one time, looking to build outback and rural experiences,” Programmed Skilled Workforce executive general manager David Hele said.

“Why not spend the October-December period having a wonderful adventure, and getting paid for it at the same time?.

“The same goes for university students or those already living in regional areas, and looking to pick up some reliable employment this spring.”

Executive General Manager – Industrial of Programmed, David Hele. Picture: Supplied

Pictured Stephanie, 51, and Frans, 52 De Rooy live in Edens Landing, QLD

A good pay, flexible hours and a “great work environment”, is what led 51-year-old Stephanie De Rooy and her husband Frans, 52, from Queensland to take up the seasonal job in NSW.

“We just really needed a lifestyle change, so we decided to follow the cotton season which then led us into harvest season,” Mrs De Rooy said.

“We love the lifestyle and meeting new people and as it‘s not full-time work we have the flexibility to still enjoy semi-retirement while we continue to earn some money, travelling and working.

“We also learn so much about the land and what it takes to get the grain ‘from the ground to the table’. It’s a great lifestyle for young and more mature people and for anyone wanting to try a new skill.”

Pictured Julie and Phil Stokes sold their house in Melbourne, and bought a caravan to travel around and work seasonally for 7-9 months per year.

Me Hele said farmers normally relied heavily on 150,000 backpackers who fill 80 per cent of the seasonal workforce required on farms.

“However, since the pandemic hit Australian shores, there are currently 75 per cent fewer backpackers in Australia, leaving a gaping hole this harvest season.,” he said.

“Despite Covid-19 shutting down many of our cities, our farmers are heading towards a record crop in the coming months.”

For Victorian couple Julie and Phil Stokes, leaving their full-time jobs was a decision they don’t regret.

“I had a role in senior management in a Melbourne hospital and my husband Phillip was a tradesman, and after emigrating from the UK nine years ago, we decided we wanted a change and to travel,” Mrs Stokes said.

“So we sold our house, bought a caravan and made the change three years ago. Harvest season really provides us with the perfect balance to both travel Australia and work as we go. Now we’re living the dream.”

Jill and Peter Schmid from South Australia said: “Harvest season comes right before Christmas, so for us it provides the perfect temporary work at the right time which suits us perfectly.

“It’s a great work environment and we are surrounded with great people and everyone is treated so well.”

The government is also offering a sweetener for those that put their hand up.

Under a federal government initiative, jobseekers will be eligible for up to $2000 in relocation assistance when they complete 40 hours of agricultural work in a fortnight.

If workers stay in the job and complete 120 hours over at least four weeks, they will be reimbursed up to $6000.

Temporary visa holders will also be eligible for handouts worth $650 and $2000, respectively.

You can find the nearest job and apply for government assistance by visiting www.programmed.com.au/jointheharvest.

Originally published as Australians encouraged to take up jobs in regional areas