A helping hand for workers

In good news for people looking for work in areas around Queensland’s Lockyer Valley, a new Harvest Office has opened in Gatton.

Where is Gatton?

Located 92km west from Brisbane and 38km east of Toowoomba, Gatton is the main town servicing the Lockyer Valley – an area of rich black soils, rated among the most fertile farming areas in the world.

A wide range of vegetables, tomatoes and melons are grown in the Lockyer Valley which provides year round opportunities for people looking for casual horticulture work. Any backpacker on a 12 month, 417 or 462 working holiday visa is able to get a second year extension, by doing six months of specified work (88 days), in the Lockyer Valley.

How can a harvest office help?

With funding from the Australian Government, Harvest Offices provide a no-cost service to help find horticulture and other specified farm work for anyone who has work rights in Australia. Harvest Officers are in contact with farms in their area and help them find the workers they need to pick and pack crops.

As a potential worker, a Harvest Office will try and find work that suits your ability and situation. If you are a visa holder they will do a check to make sure your visa will be current for the duration of any job they offer you. Note that your chance of finding good farm work will be assisted if you have your own transport and accommodation.

Where is the new Gatton Harvest Office?

Conveniently located in the middle of Gatton at 5 Railway Street, the Gatton Harvest Office is operated by BEST Employment. They can be contacted on 07 5468 0300 or 1800 062 332 or via email gattonharvest@best.com.au.