Working Nomads

Plodnalong · Senior Member

Working Nomads

pauline · Guru

Can't help you there but if you have a HR or HC licence there is plenty of work in Mackay.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

If paid "hourly rate" for farm/harvest work the rate is $18.47/hour - but it may have increased a trifle in the past month.

Otherwise, harvest work is usually on "contract rates" - eg $1/bucket for capsicum. I have picked citrus - Mandarins $110/bin (which took all day), Oranges $50/bin (pick two a day), strawberries 75c per kg, grapes - various rates dependent on variety - eg shiraz $0.95/bucket, Black Muscat $1/bucket.

How much you make is dependent on the quality of the crop, your fitness and the hours you put into it.

I am not sure but there is an 'award' for harvester work - if I an find it through Google, I'll post it here.

Cheers - John

Plodnalong · Senior Member

Sadly Pauline I didn't get my truck licence before leaving NZ and it's a bit harder to do in QLD as you need a QLD licence first, which takes at least 2 weeks, then a $640 course etc.

Thanks John for those details. Would one expect an average worker to hit the minimum hourly rate when contract picking or only a really fast one? In my limited experience the fast guys were still under minimum wage and the ones slower than me (and there were lots!) were on $40 total for an 8 hour day. My suspicion is that the farmers know that they have heaps of potential labourers and are exploiting it.

Andy

Beth54 · Guru

I can't help you with any of that info, but welcome to the site and to Qld Andy.

Plodnalong · Senior Member

Thanks Beth.

Been on the site before when I was planning it but now I've taken the big jump. And I don't regret it one bit, especially when I see my old teaching mates whinging on Facebook about exam marking and report writing. I try not to gloat but it is hard at times.

Andy

beiffe · Guru

There are lots of places in Australia where you can get work Depends on your skill levels and you desire to work.

The further from the coast the easier to get work. Out bush any skill is desired and there are lots of opportunities for either part time work or in some instances free camping and side benefits for some work.

Once a way from the main areas there are less people willing to work so more options.

I feel you are an ex chalkie so perhaps some tutouring work could get you good money out bush as many look for people to increase the knowledge level of their children.

Also there are voluntary work where you can look around an area and get fed and free accommodation for some work.

Regards
Brian

rockylizard · Guru

Downunderdyson wrote:
Thanks John for those details. Would one expect an average worker to hit the minimum hourly rate when contract picking or only a really fast one? In my limited experience the fast guys were still under minimum wage and the ones slower than me (and there were lots!) were on $40 total for an 8 hour day. My suspicion is that the farmers know that they have heaps of potential labourers and are exploiting it.
Andy

Gday...

My experience has shown that if there is a good crop it is easier to pick enough each day to hit at least $100 and even minimum wage. However, it is the sort of work that needs a 'focussed output' - no time for chatting or taking ya time.

A rule of thumb is often that you will pick the greater part of your wage by lunchtime and then after lunch you will slow down. So the earlier the start the more you will make. Sort of easier to pick before lunch while ya not as tired or bored biggrin . After lunch drags!

And you're right - many farmers do exploit the harvester knowing there is a continuous supply of backpackers who are ready to work. Although the farmer will always prefer to have a "solid, reliable" worker who stays for the season than a one who rocks up, doesn't pick much each day, whinges about how hard it is to make a quid and then shoots through after 3 or 4 days.

Cheers - John

Boroma577 · Guru

Andy, hit any of the mining towns....they are usually screaming out for staff in the town; most people want to go to the mines.

Emerald and Moranbah are just 2 that come to mind.

BohemianGypsy · Guru

Boroma577 wrote:
Andy, hit any of the mining towns....they are usually screaming out for staff in the town; most people want to go to the mines.
Emerald and Moranbah are just 2 that come to mind.

Hi Boroma,

I am a qualified massage practitioner and Aromatherapist would you know if it was worth it when travelling to put the shingle out in any of the towns to earn extra money? Have you heard of anyone doing that before during your travels?

Thanks in advance for any assistance

Regards, Michelle

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Hi Michelle,

I have seen many little signs in front of CV's in the limited travels I get up too. I was in Townsville in April and a lady had a sign "Lady and Men Hairdresser" and I noticed quite a few GN's and others getting there hair cut.

Nothing to lose anyway.

Beth54 · Guru

I agree Michelle. Great idea. My sister has talked about putting out a shingle for alterations and repairs.

In fact, when at our Cobb & Co get together recently, Gunnago did some repair work for a couple of people.

Sheba · Guru

Try this Link guys. They also have a book.

www.workaboutaustralia.com.au/

Cheers,

Sheba.

Plodnalong · Senior Member

Thanks for all your contributions to this topic - it obviously is important to many nomads. I will go off the coast soon to avoid the backpacker path and hence the competition for jobs and mining towns seem like a good idea as I'll see another part of Australia. As an ex chalkie I may even offer some Physics tuition but certainly don't intend to go back in the classroom for a good few years - done that for 28 years and glad for the break.

Today I just sat on the long jetty at Bowen with a line in the water. No bites so no messy fish to clean but it was fabulous to see turtles surface every now and then to look around, wink at me and dive again. I think I could get used to this new lifestyle!

Andy

(PS: anyone know how to change one's title on here as I joined before getting my Nissan Patrol and the sign on it, PLODNALONG, suits me?)

Keith19837 · Senior Member

Downunderdyson wrote:
(PS: anyone know how to change one's title on here as I joined before getting my Nissan Patrol and the sign on it, PLODNALONG, suits me?)

G'Day, I just had a look in profile, settings etc and can't see a way to do it. If you check with Webmaster (Cindy) she may know how to do same. It is possible that you may have to restart under a new name but I don't know. Sorry. For what it's worth.

cannylass · Senior Member

There is also the book you can pick up called the Harvest trail and you can go to www.havest trail.net.au It list when and where workers are wanted

gold dandelion · Senior Member

as what Beiffe said,go country mate. try grain corp, cotton gins, go to Roma, cane fields, stay away from the coast, go back there when you make a quid. zig zag the coastline. we found good paying work every where,

BohemianGypsy · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Hi Michelle,

I have seen many little signs in front of CV's in the limited travels I get up too. I was in Townsville in April and a lady had a sign "Lady and Men Hairdresser" and I noticed quite a few GN's and others getting there hair cut.
Nothing to lose anyway.

Hey Dougwe,

Thanks for the advice. No sense in letting all that training go to waste lol. I did all the studying to change my career when I was with the police hehe, it comes in very handy for extra $$$ and I am sure that there would be discounts for GN's. . . .absolutely!! Got to look after ourselves while we travel.

BohemianGypsy · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
I agree Michelle. Great idea. My sister has talked about putting out a shingle for alterations and repairs.
In fact, when at our Cobb & Co get together recently, Gunnago did some repair work for a couple of people.

Hi Beth,

Well if I'm game your sister should definitely give it a go, someone who sews and does alterations and repairs would be very handy to have around.

Boroma577 · Guru

BohemianGypsy wrote:
Hi Boroma,
I am a qualified massage practitioner and Aromatherapist would you know if it was worth it when travelling to put the shingle out in any of the towns to earn extra money? Have you heard of anyone doing that before during your travels?
Thanks in advance for any assistance
Regards, Michelle

ABSOLUTELY worthwhile Michelle....especially if you keep your prices reasonable. I suggest you check with the CP first if you intend to do it at your place but if you offer a mobile service then no issues at all.

Boroma577 · Guru

BohemianGypsy wrote:
someone who sews and does alterations and repairs would be very handy to have around.

I have a friend who does this....she sets up her machine in the doorway of her annex for repairs and even makes items on request....she also makes craft type items and sells them at the local markets.

Two things she makes and sells heaps of are peg bags and water hose bags.

BohemianGypsy · Guru

Boroma577 wrote:
BohemianGypsy wrote:
someone who sews and does alterations and repairs would be very handy to have around.
I have a friend who does this....she sets up her machine in the doorway of her annex for repairs and even makes items on request....she also makes craft type items and sells them at the local markets.
Two things she makes and sells heaps of are peg bags and water hose bags.

It's an excellent idea and I would imagine that peg bags she would be sewing by the 100's hehe. Extra $$$$ always comes in handy when you are travelling.

BohemianGypsy · Guru

Boroma577 wrote:
BohemianGypsy wrote:
Hi Boroma,
I am a qualified massage practitioner and Aromatherapist would you know if it was worth it when travelling to put the shingle out in any of the towns to earn extra money? Have you heard of anyone doing that before during your travels?
Thanks in advance for any assistance
Regards, Michelle
ABSOLUTELY worthwhile Michelle....especially if you keep your prices reasonable. I suggest you check with the CP first if you intend to do it at your place but if you offer a mobile service then no issues at all.

Thanks Boroma,

My prices are very reasonable as I prefer to get people well before making wads of money. I would definitely check with the CP before I advertised just in can I was in breach of any rules. Thankyou for your advice Boroma.

Boroma577 · Guru

BohemianGypsy wrote:
Thanks Boroma,
My prices are very reasonable as I prefer to get people well before making wads of money. I would definitely check with the CP before I advertised just in can I was in breach of any rules. Thankyou for your advice Boroma.

I also suggest you put signs up on the shopping centre notice boards and also in the laundromats of anywhere you might consider staying for a while as well.

Also the window of your MH/van/camper or whatever you travel in.

Nicholstones · Guru

Downunderdyson wrote:
(PS: anyone know how to change one's title on here as I joined before getting my Nissan Patrol and the sign on it, PLODNALONG, suits me?)

Send Cindy a message (click on Webmaster at bottom of forum page, then on 'Send Message') and she should be able to change your id name for you.

wendyv · Guru

Downunderdyson,
some of the more remote seasonal tourist operations and roadhouses with campgrounds attached may be looking for staff at this time of the year.
A bit later on, look for sorting or packing work in the mango harvest - that usually pays hourly rates. The mango season starts around Sept/Oct in places like Darwin, Katherine, Kununurra, is a bit later in northern Qld.

BohemianGypsy · Guru

Boroma577 wrote:
BohemianGypsy wrote:
Thanks Boroma,
My prices are very reasonable as I prefer to get people well before making wads of money. I would definitely check with the CP before I advertised just in can I was in breach of any rules. Thankyou for your advice Boroma.
I also suggest you put signs up on the shopping centre notice boards and also in the laundromats of anywhere you might consider staying for a while as well.
Also the window of your MH/van/camper or whatever you travel in.

That's a great idea Boroma and I will certainly take your advice on that.

Many thanks

Michelle

Boroma577 · Guru

BohemianGypsy wrote:
Boroma577 wrote:
Also the window of your MH/van/camper or whatever you travel in.
That's a great idea Boroma and I will certainly take your advice on that.
Many thanks
Michelle

I sure hope I come across you one day soon Michelle.....I could sure do with a massage.

vkgreenie · Senior Member

Hi everybody

Just my two bobs worth. We have just retired from motel relief management after 14 years. Still get a call every day on average. But it is hard work and very long hours, for not much. However a lifestyle choice to fund travels.

To help fund our travels these days, the bride has reverted back to her trade of hairdressing. We have had a very professional banner made for hairdressing services, hang it iff the awning, and never short of clientelle.

However we get permission from the CP management before we set up.

As far as the mines, yep they are always looking for staff, however it is not just a walk up and here I am, and where do I start. You need to check all the set criteria that is required to work on a mine site, and the rents can start at a $1000 a week.

Check out Work About Australia, Grey Nomads Employment, the local paper where you are, or better still the local pub. The publican is usually in the know.

Enjoy your travels

Cheers & beers

Boroma577 · Guru

I was not suggesting Mines work VK but mining towns as they struggle for staff in the town jobs because everyone wants to work in the Mines.

My SIL has been trying to get into the Mines for some time.....yes you are right VK, it is not as easy as it appears.