Farm Labour
Grain Producers Australia continues to advocate stronger policies and modern initiatives to help provide improved and reliable access to farm labour, and support the profitability and sustainability of Australian grain producers.
This reflects the specific focus of GPA’s strategic plan, on human resources, to build a highly skilled and professional workforce.
During COVID-19, the ongoing closure of state and international borders caused a significant reduction in the availability of farm labour, especially skilled workers able to operate heavy machinery on grain farms.
These chronic worker shortages were felt across the major grain growing regions of Australia.
The subsequent social and economic impacts of these shortages highlighted the need to do more and find solutions to improve local labour supply and overseas options.
It remains one of the major policy challenges faced by our members and complacency is not an option.
That’s why GPA continues to advocate across government and industry to progress changes and outcomes.
Operation Grain Harvest Assist
Operation Grain Harvest Assist (OGHA) was previously implemented in 2021, and GPA is proud to once again partner with OGHA in 2026.
GPA collaborates with former ADF members on this initiative.
Retired Lt Col Garry Spencer AM leads the of volunteers and connected former veterans directly with farms, to support farmers with harvest workers who have complementary skills and personal capabilities.
Grain producers seeking harvest workers, and veterans seeking work can register through the OGHA facebook groups:
Practical resources for Farmers and Workers
Looking for work on-farm?
Jobs for on-farm work are advertised on a number of platforms, such as SEEK and Facebook groups, and through specific labour-hire firms.
If you're visiting from overseas, there's information about visa options for workers in agriculture on the Home Affairs website.
What’s involved with work on grain farms?
As a grain farm employee, you may be needed to:
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Prepare equipment and machinery for seeding and harvest
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Undertake summer cropping activities such as cultivating, seeding and applying appropriate fertiliser rates for all crops
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Carry out harvest activities including crop topping, header driving, local grain delivery, grain testing and record keeping
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Operate farm machinery including tractors, headers, grain bins and augers
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Perform re-fuelling, routine maintenance checks and basic machinery servicing (i.e. greasing bearings, checking hydraulic fluid)
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Transport and set up equipment and gear for the day, including field bins, utes, service vehicles and tractors.
TIP: It is always helpful if you approach tasks with a practical can-do attitude
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Be adaptable to different tasks and changing work conditions
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Be prepared to move fast if weather or some other issue might put the crop or farm at risk.
You can expect the environment during harvest periods to include:
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Dusty, hot conditions and grain dust/straw and chaff can cause or aggravate allergies
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Long hours working by yourself with a lot of space around you
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Working as part of the harvest team
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A workplace with hazards due to environment and size of machinery being used
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The need for fast action on fire safety and awareness
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Potentially limited access to amenities - toilet facilities are not usually available in the paddock
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Machinery that is intuitive and to drives with technology, such as GPS
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Mentally challenging work - operating complex machinery for extended periods of time
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The role may require early morning or night work.
When is harvest work available?
The timing and duration of harvest depends on the season and weather conditions.
Cutting hay generally occurs in September and October.
The grain harvest gets underway in Queensland in September, New South Wales in October and Victoria and South Australia in November.
In Western Australia, harvest begins in the northern regions in October, progressively moving south over the next three months as crops ripen.
In most cases, harvest is wrapped up by the end of the year, unless there are interruptions due to wet weather.