Wow - great response - and thanks to all for your welcomes. We hope to be able to use this thread often - however most times we are working in very remote areas and unable to use the internet. We usually do 2 to 3 months at a time on stations, roadhouses and communitys. We love the lifestyle and the work and we get to enjoy some great spots in this wonderful country. After 4 years it has now become an addiction. Hey barrie you're right - there is plenty of work out there, my point is that it's getting more difficult for Aussies and not just us grey nomads to compete against the cheap and free labour.
Welcome Boots. Like you, we have also been "pipped at the post" by back-packers. We have worked with them in Birdsville, Winton and in the Flinders Ranges, and were pipped by them in Winton (different job). What I find most unusual is when you go into some remote, out of the way outback roadhouse or pub, you are greeted by Irish or German or English or American accents. Where are the jobs for our locals?
JayDee said
10:03 PM Jun 30, 2013
We have no problems with Back packers and Fruit pickers, as 2 of our sons in years gone by left home with their worldly possessions on their backs to work and travel overseas in Africa America England and the Continent.
Only issue I have is that B.P pick up and get rid of their rubbish.
Jay&Dee
herbie said
10:33 PM Jul 2, 2013
Was just reading an interesting article on ABC,regarding the the influx of back packers in OZ looking for work. It went on to say in WA they have never seen anything like it before.
The influx of back packers flocking to farm gates looking for work has jumped to its highest level in the space of a year.
In Kunumurra WA there is at least 200 back packers in town looking for work.The employment places when people ring are telling them not to come there, due to not enough jobs to go around.
Immigration laws mean only those who complete three months work in agriculture or construction work can apply to have their visas extended for another year.So they are fighting tooth and nail for the jobs.The reason for them wanting to stay is of the down turn in Europe.
The number of back packers allowed to stay longer has jumped 30 per cent in one year and 85 per cent of those who applied were allowed to stay.
So from reading all this YES they sure as hell are taking jobs away from our own. And another thing these back packers get the same rate of pay as our who would get. So as for thinking if they were not picking out fruit and vegies would be dearer ..UM no that's not true either.
Gravy said
03:54 PM Dec 12, 2013
I just found a new site for grey nomads jobs. Looks interesting and no cost. Grey Nomads Jobs
Welcome Radar, I've learned something tonight because I thought a woofer was something to do with a loudspeaker. Enjoy your reading and your travels.
Phew, glad to see I'm not the only who thought it was a speaker Learn something new everyday.
Vic41 said
04:36 PM Dec 12, 2013
Thanks for the link Gravy, looks interesting.
With the volume of backpackers and woofers I saw on the road during my recent trip and the one's I spoke to, including those working at roadhouses, caravan parks and pubs/cafe's etc, they all seemed to be a nice calibre of person, and I couldn't help thinking they would make good immigrants to this country and who knows if some of them may have the qualifications or desire to immigrate to Australia due to their travels in Oz at some future time.
Welcome Boots. Like you, we have also been "pipped at the post" by back-packers. We have worked with them in Birdsville, Winton and in the Flinders Ranges, and were pipped by them in Winton (different job). What I find most unusual is when you go into some remote, out of the way outback roadhouse or pub, you are greeted by Irish or German or English or American accents. Where are the jobs for our locals?
We have no problems with Back packers and Fruit pickers, as 2 of our sons in years gone by left home with their worldly possessions on their backs to work and travel overseas in Africa America England and the Continent.
Only issue I have is that B.P pick up and get rid of their rubbish.
Jay&Dee
Was just reading an interesting article on ABC,regarding the the influx of back packers in OZ looking for work. It went on to say in WA they have never seen anything like it before.
The influx of back packers flocking to farm gates looking for work has jumped to its highest level in the space of a year.
In Kunumurra WA there is at least 200 back packers in town looking for work.The employment places when people ring are telling them not to come there, due to not enough jobs to go around.
Immigration laws mean only those who complete three months work in agriculture or construction work can apply to have their visas extended for another year.So they are fighting tooth and nail for the jobs.The reason for them wanting to stay is of the down turn in Europe.
The number of back packers allowed to stay longer has jumped 30 per cent in one year and 85 per cent of those who applied were allowed to stay.
So from reading all this YES they sure as hell are taking jobs away from our own. And another thing these back packers get the same rate of pay as our who would get. So as for thinking if they were not picking out fruit and vegies would be dearer ..UM no that's not true either.
I just found a new site for grey nomads jobs. Looks interesting and no cost.
Grey Nomads Jobs
http://www.greynomadsjobs.com.au/grey-nomads-jobs-available/
Phew, glad to see I'm not the only who thought it was a speaker
Learn something new everyday.
With the volume of backpackers and woofers I saw on the road during my recent trip and the one's I spoke to, including those working at roadhouses, caravan parks and pubs/cafe's etc, they all seemed to be a nice calibre of person, and I couldn't help thinking they would make good immigrants to this country and who knows if some of them may have the qualifications or desire to immigrate to Australia due to their travels in Oz at some future time.
I didn't meet any who did not impress me.