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Can couples find farm work together in Australia? Where to look

Last checked

Short answer

Yes, and you are far from alone: in our read of 1,528 posts in working holiday Facebook groups, a third of job seekers were couples or small groups, but only about 1 in 8 employer posts invited couples. Search for jobs that say couples welcome and include accommodation, try working hostels in year-round towns, and ask each employer about two jobs before you travel.

On Matey right now

3 live jobs marked couples welcome, 1 with accommodation. See them

Where pairs find work together

Couples-welcome jobs

Filter Matey jobs for couples welcome and accommodation. Employers who tick it have said they can take two.

Big harvest towns

Bundaberg, Childers, Tully, Mildura and Griffith have large crews, so two people are easier to place than in a small orchard.

Working hostels

Hostels that supply farms can put a pair on the same crew. Ask how they place couples and whether you can share a room.

Stations and remote roles

Cattle stations, roadhouses and remote general stores often advertise for a couple, with a cottage or room included.

Packing sheds

Packhouses hire in numbers through the season, and one of you on picking and one on packing at the same farm is common.

Grain harvest

Receival sites and farms hire many people for the season, from a few weeks to a few months, and some sites have basic accommodation.

Couples-welcome jobsCouples welcome with accommodationWorking hostels

What to ask before you travel

  • Are there two positions, and do we start on the same day?
  • Is the accommodation a private room for two, and what does it cost each week?
  • Will we each get our own contract, payslips and pay into our own bank account?
  • What is the worksite postcode? Both of you need it to count.
  • Do we need a car, and is there transport to the farm?

Each of you needs your own evidence

The 88 days are counted per person. Each of you needs your own payslips, your own bank statements and the employer's details. Being paid as one 'couple wage' into one account makes the other person's days very hard to prove. If one of you is a UK passport holder on the 417, only the other one needs the days, so put the eligible work on their side.

Track both of your 88 days

Safety for pairs of friends

Two friends travelling together, often two women, ask most for work 'together' with a place to stay. The same checks apply: a named farm, an ABN, a written pay rate and reviews from people who worked there. Share your location with someone, and walk away from any job that wants a fee or splits you up on arrival without warning.

Scam checklist

Common follow-up questions

Is it hard to find farm work as a couple in Australia?

It is harder than alone because fewer employers advertise for two. In our read of 1,528 working holiday group posts, a third of seekers were couples or groups but only about 12% of employer posts invited couples. Big harvest towns, working hostels and stations are the easiest places for pairs.

Do couples get paid separately for farm work?

They should. Each worker is an employee with their own pay, payslips and super. Separate pay into each person's own bank account is also what proves each person's 88 days.

Can we do our 88 days together at the same farm?

Yes. There is no rule against it. Each of you needs eligible work, in an eligible postcode, paid at award rates, with your own evidence.

Where can couples find farm jobs with accommodation?

Look for jobs marked couples welcome and accommodation included, working hostels in year-round towns such as Bundaberg and Tully, and station or remote roadhouse roles, which often come with a room or cottage.

General information only, not immigration or tax advice. For advice about your situation, talk to a registered migration agent (check the OMARA register) or a registered tax agent (TPB register).

Sources

General information, not migration or legal advice. Rules and pay rates change, so confirm anything your visa depends on with the official source.

More quick answers

What are the best working hostels for the 88 days?How do I find farm work for my 88 days without paying a fee or a job pack?Does my town count for the 88 days?How are the 88 and 179 days counted?The 88 days, properly explained

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