OBI Recruitment is a specialist firm that has been bringing young farmers there for over 20 years.

Thanks to a recent partnership with Greentree Farming, Australia’s largest grain producer, OBI Recruitment recently launched a new campaign to recruit nearly 100 workers from Ireland and Britain. Farmers, machinery operators, tractor drivers and agricultural college graduates are all being sought. The campaign is aimed at young people with an agricultural or trades background.

“Jobs on massive rural acreages give operators a better chance to really have a go, learn new skills, and return home with great experience they can apply,” says OBI Recruitment Director Peter Martin.

Phil Cooper, a 20-year-old farmer from West Sussex, Britain, agrees.

“Working in Australia gave me a lot of skills I didn’t have before. I was driving much bigger machinery there than I was used to, but I got into it real quick,” he said.

Growing up working on farms his whole life, Phil came to Australia in 2012 for nine months to work on cotton and wheat farms in Moree, about half way between Sydney and Brisbane.

He applied directly to OBI Recruitment, whose agents helped find him a job, made all of his visa arrangements and checked in with him throughout his work placement.

Phil was involved in every aspect of the harvest, including planting, irrigation, drilling and picking.

“Working in Australia helped me pursue a career in English agriculture,” said Phil.

“It’s given me the ambition to one day run my own farm.”

Current pay rates mean that farm workers could easily earn upwards of $1,200 AUD, or around €820 per week during peak periods, with some placements offering free accommodation and meal plans.

For applicants under 30, the Working Holiday Visa applies and can be granted within hours by the Department of Immigration. OBI Recruitment can offer workers outside of this age bracket with visa assistance in the agricultural category, which can lead to permanent residency.

OBI Recruitment combines the expertise of M&M Migration with its former affiliates, Global Staff Solutions and Outback International. Visit www.obirecruitment.com.au.