G’day Farmstay: Farm Work Exchanges In Australia And New Zealand
Farm Work Exchanges In Australia And New Zealand
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Working in Australia or New Zealand on a Tourist Visa usually involves keeping one step ahead of the increasingly active men and women from the immigration department. One way to reduce all that trouble and keep a big black stain off of your passport (if caught) is to work for your keep.
Fortunately, there are a number of organisations and websites that assist with fixing up farm work on a work for food and accommodation basis.
WWOOFing in Australia and New Zealand
The most well known is Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF). Established in Australia over 40 years ago, WWOOF helps willing workers find favourable farmers. Covering a smorgasbord of alternative lifestyles, primarily organic farmers, WWOOF can help travellers find work on thousands of host properties, from backyards in Brisbane to vast cattle stations in the Northern Territory outback.
Accessing all the places where you could soon be mustering cattle, cruising for crocs, bushwalking in the rainforest or building straw bungalows costs A$70 (or A$120 for two people).
To avoid potential issues with the authorities, WWOOF suggests their members on tourist visas should ‘join WWOOF as part of their holiday, not the main reason for it.’ It’s also worth noting that those in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa can qualify for extensions if volunteering in Bushfire or Flood Disaster areas. More information on visas can be found here.
New Zealand also has its own branch of WWOOF requiring a separate membership for NZ$40 per year, but whereas it is possible to do volunteer work while in New Zealand on a visitor visa, provided you receive no gain or reward, WWOOFers receive food and accommodation and this is considered to be working by New Zealand Immigration.
Other work exchange networks in Australia and New Zealand
Help X also lists farms, both organic and non-organic, as well as B&Bs, backpackers hostels, homestays, ranches, lodges, and even sailing boats that invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.
Australia alone has over 3000 hosts, each of which can be viewed online, though a €20 registration fee is required to view contact details and reviews.
Unlike WWOOF the registration fee allows access to hosts in both Australia and New Zealand, as well as the rest of the world, and is valid for two years. A free membership option is also available where hosts can contact helpers via their profile but not the other way around.
Workaway operates along the same lines but puts more emphasis on language learning and cultural immersion. Listings in Australia and New Zealand both number 500+ with many more hosts around the world. Membership costs €49 per year or €59 for a couple.
Image courtesy rileyroxx
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