Fruit Farm Worker / Senior Fruit Farm Worker (Multiple Positions)

In these roles, you will play a vital part in the day-to-day operations of our farms, working collaboratively with a team to achieve production goals. 

Benefits

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package with superannuation, potential bonuses based on performance and harvest outcomes, and opportunities for career progression within the company.
• Comprehensive on-the-job training for machinery operation, safety procedures, and advanced farm techniques to build your skills.
• Supportive and inclusive team environment in a thriving agricultural business, with access to employee assistance programs for wellbeing.
• Additional perks such as subsidised accommodation for remote locations, seasonal fruit allowances, and participation in industry workshops.
• Contribution to meaningful work in food production, supporting Australia's agricultural sector and local communities.

Salary: 

• $66,000 - $77,000 per annum (commensurate with experience)

Task & responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Monitoring the growth and health of bananas, and other crops, including regular inspections to identify issues like nutrient deficiencies or environmental stress, and ensuring produce remains in optimal condition prior to harvesting. 
• Operating specialised machinery such as cherry pickers, bagging machines, tractors, and irrigation systems to cultivate, fertilise, spray, and harvest crops efficiently and safely. 
• Applying coloured stickers to banana bunches to categorise sizes, track maturity, and signal readiness for picking, which aids in streamlining the harvesting process. Maintaining detailed daily production and work records, preparing comprehensive reports on crop yields, machinery usage, and any incidents, to support farm management decisions. 
• Stocking up on necessary supplies, including fertilisers, pesticides, and tools, in preparation for the following day's activities, while managing inventory to minimise waste. 
• Performing essential routine tasks such as planting seedlings, irrigating fields using drip or sprinkler systems, pruning trees for better yield, thinning overcrowded areas, and mulching to retain soil moisture.
• Spraying chemicals and organic alternatives to effectively control weeds, pests, and diseases, adhering to strict safety protocols and environmental regulations. Selecting, picking, grading, sorting, and packing produce into containers, ensuring quality standards are met for freshness and appearance. 
• Loading filled containers onto trucks for transport, coordinating with logistics teams to meet delivery schedules.
• For Senior roles: Supervising junior workers by providing guidance and training, overseeing equipment maintenance to prevent breakdowns, ensuring compliance with workplace health and safety standards, and coordinating team schedules to optimise productivity. 
• Additional tasks may involve soil testing, crop rotation planning, and participating in farm improvement projects to enhance sustainability

Qualification & experience

Requirements:

To succeed in these positions, candidates should demonstrate:

• Relevant farming experience and a proactive, positive attitude towards agricultural work in dynamic outdoor settings.
• Physical capability to perform demanding tasks outdoors, including in hot, humid, or rainy conditions typical of Far North Queensland's climate.
• Basic knowledge of horticultural techniques, such as pest identification, disease control methods, and sustainable farming practices like integrated pest management.
• For Senior positions: Proven supervisory experience, strong leadership skills in team management, and the ability to resolve on-site issues effectively.
• A valid driver's licence is preferred, with experience operating farm vehicles and machinery being advantageous.
• Physical fitness to lift and carry loads of up to 25-35kg repeatedly, along with stamina for extended periods of manual labour.
• Commitment to sustainable and ethical farming practices, including adherence to biosecurity measures and environmental guidelines.
• Australian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with appropriate work rights are encouraged to apply; visa sponsorship may be available for suitable candidates under Subclass 482 or 494 programs.