Harvest & Farm Workers and Packers

Costa is seeking expressions of interest from jobseekers for up to 25 Full-time Harvest and Farm Worker roles in the Sunraysia region, to fulfil our requirements for the 2027 citrus season.

Our peak intake periods are during December/January and May/June, to fit with our citrus and grape crop harvest and crop care cycles.

About the roles

Available roles may include citrus and table grape picking, thinning, packing, crop care, general farm labouring, cleaning, housekeeping, stacking cartons, receivals, despatch, general farm and harvest administration, general farming or packing duties as directed by a supervisor or leading hand.

These roles are physically demanding and may involve standing and walking for extended periods, repetitive movement, ladder climbing, bending, squatting, lifting, carrying and working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Workers may be required to lift or carry items up to approximately 20kg.

Some higher-level roles may also be available depending on business needs, including forklift, truck, tractor or machinery operator roles, leading hand roles and supervisory roles. Applicants must hold any licence or permit legally required for the equipment being operated.

Hours of work

Full-time ongoing roles will be 38 ordinary hours per week, or 152 ordinary hours over a 4-week roster cycle, in accordance with the Horticulture Award 2020 and any applicable roster arrangements.

Hours and work locations may vary depending on crop timing, weather, market demand and operational requirements. Roles may involve early starts, late finishes, weekdays, weekends and public holidays, and may include afternoon or evening shift work during peak periods.

Work is located on rural properties around the Colignan, Mildura and broader Sunraysia region. Applicants must be able to reliably travel to and from rostered work locations.

Pay and conditions

Pay and conditions will be in accordance with the Horticulture Award 2020 and the National Employment Standards.

Entry-level adult full-time roles may commence from the current Level 1 full-time Award rate of $25.74 per hour, where Level 1 applies. Level 1 applies only where appropriate under the Award, including for workers who are new to the horticulture industry or have less than 3 months’ horticulture industry experience.

Workers with 3 months or more horticulture industry experience will be classified and paid at least Level 2, currently $26.44 per hour for adult full-time employees, or a higher classification where required based on the duties performed, skills, training, experience and applicable Award classification.

Picking, packing, crop care and general farm labouring roles are generally classified at Level 1 or Level 2, depending on the duties performed and the worker’s horticulture industry experience.

Tractor, truck and forklift operator roles are generally classified at Level 3 or Level 4, depending on the duties performed, equipment operated, required licence, training and competency.

Assistant supervisor and supervisor roles generally start from Level 3 and may increase up to Level 5, depending on the duties performed, team size, level of responsibility, training, experience and demonstrated competency.

Some harvest work may be paid by piece rate. Where piece rates apply, pieceworkers will receive a piecework record before commencing the piecework task. A minimum pay rate guarantee will apply in accordance with the Horticulture Award 2020, and pieceworkers will be paid at least the applicable minimum wage guarantee for their classification and hours worked.

Superannuation and any applicable overtime, penalty rates, allowances and loadings will be paid in accordance with the Horticulture Award 2020.

Training and development

Previous horticulture experience is not required for entry-level roles. Costa provides workplace induction, safety training and task-specific training.

There may be opportunities to develop further skills, including machinery competency, forklift training, truck licensing, first aid training or leadership development, depending on business needs, role availability, performance, attendance and suitability.

About you

To be successful, applicants should:

Be willing and able to perform physically demanding work

Be reliable, punctual and safety-focused

Be able to follow instructions and safe work procedures

Be willing to work rostered shifts, including weekends and public holidays where required

Work respectfully and cooperatively in a multicultural team environment

Have good attention to detail and a positive attitude

Be available for ongoing full-time employment

Be able to reliably travel to and from rural worksites

Hold valid working rights in Australia

How to apply

If you are interested in future full-time ongoing Harvest and Farm Worker opportunities with Costa in the Sunraysia region, please submit your expression of interest through the link below.

https://costagroup.currentjobs.co/Job/Harvest-and-Farm-Workers-Full-time-Sunraysia-LMT-2027/Mildura/3217

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email or phone as suitable roles become available. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in Australia during the application process