Job Seeker Questions & Answers
Find practical answers about applying for work, starting a role, pay, safety and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
In our FAQ section, you can find all the information you’re looking for. We’re happy to help.
No. We employ Australian citizens, permanent residents, and visa holders with valid work rights for the role. We are an approved PALM (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility) employer, placing workers from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste under that program. Work rights must be current for the job. We cannot sponsor or determine a visa outcome. More […]
We operate across four Australian states — Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. Most of our placements are in regional areas including Robinvale, Swan Hill, Griffith, Mildura, and surrounding districts. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
You will need a valid form of identification (passport or Australian ID), your tax file number (TFN), superannuation details, and a valid visa with work rights (if applicable). We will guide you through the entire onboarding process so you know exactly what to bring. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check […]
Yes. Our team can provide guidance on presenting your skills and experience in the best way for agricultural and labour hire roles. Just let us know when you apply and we will help you during onboarding. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about […]
Include your full name, contact details, visa status (if applicable), any relevant work experience (farm work, labour hire, construction, etc.), certifications or licences you hold, and your availability. Keep it simple — one to two pages is plenty. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard […]
A basic resume is helpful but not essential for most entry-level positions. If you do not have one, our team can help you put together a simple document during the onboarding process. For supervisory or skilled machinery roles, a resume outlining your experience is recommended. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, […]
On your first day, you will complete a site induction covering workplace health and safety, PPE requirements, emergency procedures, and job-specific training. Our welfare team will be there to support you and answer any questions. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your […]
Timing depends on whether a client has work that matches your location, skills and work rights. Some people are placed within a few days in peak periods; others wait until a suitable vacancy exists. We do not guarantee placement within 24 to 48 hours. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check […]
We keep it simple. Most roles require a brief phone call or in-person chat where we discuss your skills, experience, availability, and location preferences. There is no formal panel interview for general labour positions. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
Use Get in Touch or email jobs@orchardtech.com.au. You can also check the Jobs page when listings are open. We review applications against current client demand. We cannot promise a placement or a reply within 48 hours, especially when no vacancies are listed. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work […]
This depends on the season and location. Common crops include almonds (Jan to May), citrus (Jun to November), table grapes (January to April), stone fruit (November to March), and various vegetables year-round. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
No. While a large portion of our placements are on farms and orchards, we also place workers in meat processing plants, solar panel installation projects, construction sites, and transport logistics roles. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
We supply workers across six key industries: agriculture, horticulture, meat processing, solar, construction, and transport. Within agriculture and horticulture, we cover almonds, citrus, grapes, stone fruit, berries, and more. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
Absolutely. Most roles involve working as part of a team — whether it is a picking crew, a packing shed team, or a construction gang. We foster a supportive environment where everyone looks out for each other. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech […]
Our workplaces are diverse, inclusive, and safety-focused. You will be working alongside people from many different backgrounds and countries. Supervisors are approachable and welfare support is available on-site for larger placements. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
Most farm and orchard roles start early, often between 6am and 7am. Shifts commonly run 8 to 10 hours. During peak harvest, 6-day and sometimes 7-day rosters can occur. Extra hours are paid as ordinary time or overtime according to the award, not automatically as overtime just because the roster includes a weekend. More help […]
Yes, having your own vehicle is a bonus in regional areas, though it is not essential. If you have a car, let us know and we can factor that into your placement options. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
Accommodation support varies by location. In many regional areas, we can help arrange nearby housing or connect you with available options. Some larger farm placements include on-site or nearby accommodation. Costs and arrangements are discussed before you accept a placement. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or […]
Some harvesting roles use piece rates (paid per bin, bucket or kilogram). Under the Horticulture Award, the piece rate must be set so a pieceworker at the average productivity of a worker competent at that task can earn at least 15% more per hour than their award hourly rate. For a casual pieceworker, that hourly […]
Most placements are paid weekly, with wages deposited directly into your nominated bank account. You will receive a payslip detailing your hours, rates, and deductions each pay cycle. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
Yes, when the applicable award requires it. Under the Horticulture Award, the following rules apply to hourly paid casuals who are not shiftworkers. Ordinary hours can fall on any day. Excluding public holidays, ordinary hours between 5:00am and 8:30pm are paid at the ordinary hourly rate for the classification plus the 25% casual loading. Between […]
All positions are paid at award rates or above, in accordance with the relevant industry award (such as the Horticulture Award or Pastoral Award). Casual employees receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate. Exact rates depend on the role and industry. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, […]
Time off during peak harvest is difficult as this is our busiest period. However, we do our best to accommodate reasonable requests. Speak with your supervisor or our welfare team as early as possible if you need time off. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact […]
If you work on a public holiday, penalty rates apply under the relevant award. For casual employees under the Horticulture Award, work on a public holiday is paid at 225% of the minimum hourly rate (the casual loading is already included in that rate). That is not the same as a generic double time or […]
Casual employees generally do not get paid annual leave or paid personal/carer’s leave. The extra amount in a casual hourly rate is casual loading — it is not leave loading. Permanent employees accrue annual leave, personal/carer’s leave and other National Employment Standards entitlements as set out in the Fair Work Act and the applicable award. […]
Report any injury to your supervisor immediately. All workplaces have first aid facilities and trained first aiders. Workers compensation arrangements and eligibility depend on the relevant state or territory scheme and the circumstances of the injury. A claim is assessed under the applicable rules. Orchard Tech will support you through the claims process and return-to-work […]
If you are unwell, notify your supervisor as soon as possible. Permanent employees can access their personal or sick leave. Casual employees are not paid for sick days but will not be penalised for genuine illness. A medical certificate may be required for absences of two or more consecutive days. More help for workers Browse […]
We will work with you to accommodate religious observances where operationally possible. Please notify us in advance so we can plan rosters accordingly. Some flexibility may be limited during peak harvest periods. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
For PALM workers, we provide welfare support that can help with language barriers. On larger sites, team leaders may speak more than one language. Safety instructions still need to be understood. Tell us if you need extra support before you start. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, […]
Basic English is helpful, particularly for understanding safety instructions and communicating with supervisors. However, we support workers from diverse backgrounds and many of our sites have multilingual supervisors. We also provide translated induction materials where possible. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about […]
Yes. We encourage career development. Many of our current supervisors and team leaders started as general labourers. If you show reliability, skill, and leadership, there are opportunities to move into supervisory, machinery operation, and coordinator roles. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about […]
That is completely fine. Many of our workers start with no farm experience at all. You will receive comprehensive training during your site induction, and experienced team members will support you as you learn. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
No experience is needed for most entry-level roles such as fruit picking, packing, and general labouring. Full on-the-job training is provided during your induction. For specialist roles such as forklift operation, tractor driving, or supervision, relevant experience or licences may be required. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work […]
We take heat safety seriously. During hot weather, additional rest breaks, water stations, and shaded areas are provided. If temperatures exceed safe working thresholds, work schedules may be adjusted to start earlier and finish before the hottest part of the day. Heat stress awareness is covered in your induction training. More help for workers Browse […]
Yes. All worksites have first aid kits and trained first aiders on hand. For larger operations, we also have dedicated welfare coordinators on site. Emergency procedures and muster points are covered during your induction on the first day. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard […]
You have the right and the responsibility to report any unsafe conditions or practices. Speak to your supervisor immediately or contact our welfare team. You can also stop work if you believe there is an immediate risk to your health or safety. No worker will be penalised for raising a genuine safety concern. More help […]
All workers complete a comprehensive site induction before starting work. This covers workplace health and safety policies, emergency procedures, PPE requirements, hazard identification, manual handling, heat stress awareness, and job-specific safety training. More help for workers Browse the worker questions and answers, check current work opportunities, or contact Orchard Tech about your situation.
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