Join the Big Victorian Harvest and you could receive a bonus of up to $2,430 for eight week’s work on a farm – on top of your wage.
The Victorian Government’s Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus is an extra payment for jobseekers who take up a harvest job on a Victorian farm this season.
With the horticulture industry’s usual backpacker and international workforce reduced because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, farmers need your help to pick, pack and process Victoria’s fruit and vegetables.
Two bonus payments over eight weeks
The Victorian Government is giving eligible workers $2,430 for eight weeks of seasonal harvest work on a Victorian horticulture farm.
You will get the bonus in two instalments:
- An initial $810, after doing 10 days of work within a 30-day period
- A further $1,620, after an doing additional 30 days of work within a 90-day period.
Eligibility requirements
In addition to the work requirements, to be eligible for the Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus, you must also:
- start your harvest job on or after 17 February 2021
- be 18 years or older and have work rights in Australia
- not be employed under the Pacific Labour Scheme or Seasonal Worker Programme.
When you apply for the bonus, you will need to provide evidence of your employment and that you’ve met the work requirements.
The Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus is for jobseekers who are new to agriculture and who are joining the horticulture workforce.
If you’ve worked in agriculture in Victoria in the three months prior to 17 February 2021, you won’t be eligible for the bonus.
Flexible arrangements
You can move between Victorian harvest jobs and still be eligible for the bonus.
Easy online application process
You can apply for the initial bonus through our online portal after completing the first 10 days of work.
Get extra benefits for relocating
You may be eligible to claim the sign-on bonus, as well as the Commonwealth Government’s $6,000 Relocation Assistance to Take up a Job if you move to a regional area for harvest work.
Give harvest work a try and get your first bonus after just two weeks
Find your farm job today
Head to https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/bigharvest to find out more about harvest jobs, where to find work and how to apply for the Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus.
Further support
Call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575 for assistance finding work, including how to sign-up to the jobs-matching platform, Working for Victoria.
