How to Apply: High-Paying Farm Labourer Roles at Howe Farming Enterprises (Mareeba, Far North QLD) — Step-by-Step Career Guide
Career Overview: Essential Agricultural & Harvest Opportunities in Tropical Queensland
Are you an Australian local or Working Holiday Visa (WHV) holder looking for consistent, well-compensated agricultural work in Far North Queensland? The tropical agricultural sector in Queensland offers incredible opportunities for hard-working individuals seeking outdoor physical roles, steady seasonal hours, and visa extensions. Howe Farming Enterprises Pty Ltd, one of the largest and most respected agricultural producers in FNQ with over 100 to 1,000 employees, is currently hiring a massive workforce of Farm Labourers & Harvest Team Members across their expansive farms in Mareeba, near Cairns & Far North QLD.
Howe Farming is seeking 130 dedicated team members to support their upcoming banana and mixed-crop growing and harvesting seasons:
100 Short-Term Seasonal Positions: Paid at standard casual award rates under the official Australian Horticulture Award (often yielding $30+ AUD per hour including casual loading), with rostered hours consistently averaging well over 30 to 40+ hours per week across a 9-month commitment.
30 Long-Term Positions: Offering 2-year employment contracts paid under standard permanent Horticulture Award rates with a guaranteed minimum of 38 hours per week, providing stable long-term career progression and upskilling opportunities.
Crucially for international travellers, all working days at Howe Farming count directly toward your 2nd and 3rd-year Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 / 462) extensions under regional Australian employment guidelines.
Read our complete, human-written application guide below to optimize your CV, navigate the Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) requirements, and secure your place on the farm.
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| High-Paying Farm Labourer Roles at Howe Farming Enterprises |
Pay Rates, Visa Extensions, & Employment Perks
Joining Howe Farming Enterprises provides a wealth of practical benefits, competitive wages, and clear pathways for extended stay in Australia:
1. Transparent Industry Wages & Hours
Award-Compliant Compensation: All pay is strictly regulated under the official Australian Horticulture Award, ensuring lawful wage protection, overtime provisions, and full superannuation contributions.
Substantial Hours: Short-term casual roles average exceeding 30–40 hours per week, while long-term permanent contracts guarantee at least 38 hours per week. This ensures a high weekly take-home income to boost your savings.
Paid Upgrading & Upskilling: Full on-the-job training is provided to every team member, with clear pathways to move into specialized roles (e.g., tractor operation, fertigation, farm supervision, or packhouse management).
2. Australian Visa Sign-Off Perks
Approved Specified Work: Located in regional postcodes near Mareeba (FNQ), every day worked counts toward the 88 days (2nd year) or 6 months (3rd year) specified work requirement for Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 and 462) holders.
Dual Contract Options: Choose between a 9-month seasonal stint or a 2-year long-term permanent arrangement depending on your personal goals and visa status.
Daily Responsibilities & On-Farm Operations
Howe Farming operates multiple large-scale farming sites around the Atherton Tablelands, growing bananas and various rotated tropical crops. Positions are available in both paddock field operations and covered packing sheds:
A. Field Operations (Outdoor Paddock Work)
Planting & Crop Care: Participating in banana planting, desuckering, de-leafing, stringing, and general crop maintenance under tropical weather conditions.
Harvesting & Bunch Care: Assisting with the harvesting of bananas and other tropical produce, carrying crop loads, and preparing produce for transport to the central packing facility.
General Farm Duties: Operating basic agricultural hand tools, assisting with irrigation checks, and keeping fields clean and compliant with safe farm practices.
B. Packshed Operations (Processing & Sorting)
De-handing & Sorting: Processing harvested banana bunches, de-handing, washing, and grading produce according to strict quality specs.
Packing & Stacking: Packing top-tier fruit into commercial cartons, labeling boxes, and palletizing goods for national supermarket distribution.
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| High-Paying Farm Labourer Roles at Howe Farming Enterprises |
Candidate Qualifications, Physical Requirements, & WHS Rules
Because Far North Queensland experiences high heat, humidity, and active farm machinery operations, Howe Farming maintains high compliance standards:
Physical Work Fitness: Candidates must be physically fit, self-motivated, and capable of handling demanding manual labour in hot, humid tropical conditions.
Zero-Tolerance Drug & Alcohol Policy: To ensure a safe working environment, Howe Farming conducts regular, unannounced drug and alcohol screening across all farm locations.
Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) Awareness: A sound understanding of basic OHS/WHS procedures is essential. You must follow all posted safety guidelines, wear prescribed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and look out for your teammates.
Team-Oriented Mindset: Ability to work efficiently, accurately, and harmoniously within large, multicultural farm teams.
Visa Duration (For WHV Holders): Applicants on Working Holiday Visas should ideally have a good portion of their visa validity remaining (preferably 6 to 9+ months) to complete the seasonal contract.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online
Follow these practical steps to submit a high-converting application directly to Howe Farming Enterprises:
Step 1: Format a High-Impact Resume
Create a clean, Australian-standard CV that emphasizes your work capacity, physical fitness, and compliance awareness:
Personal Details: Include your full legal name, Australian phone number, current location (or expected arrival date in Mareeba/Cairns), and exact Visa Status (e.g., Working Holiday Visa 417 with 10 months remaining or Australian Citizen/PR).
Highlight Fitness & Labour History: List any previous experience in farming, construction, warehousing, landscaping, or heavy physical labour. If you are new to farm work, emphasize your sports background or outdoor work tolerance.
Mention WHS Knowledge: Explicitly feature terms like WHS Compliance, Safety Mindset, Manual Handling Awareness, and Team Communication.
Step 2: Prepare Mandatory Employer Portal Screening Answers
When filling out the online application form, ensure you answer all employer questions accurately and strategically:
1. Which statement best describes your right to work in Australia?
Strategy: State your legal entitlement (e.g., Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417/462), Australian Citizen, or Permanent Resident).
2. How many years' experience do you have as a Farmhand?
Strategy: State your true experience level. (Prior experience is beneficial, but motivated candidates willing to learn are regularly hired because full training is provided).
3. How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
Strategy: Specify your exact notice period or state "Available immediately / Ready to start August 1st".
4. Have you worked in a role which requires a sound understanding of OH&S/WHS?
Strategy: Answer Yes and briefly mention your awareness of workplace safety protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE), and hazard reporting.
5. If you hold a working holiday visa, how many months of your visa are remaining?
Strategy: State the exact months remaining on your visa (e.g., "9 months remaining").
Step 3: Complete Portal Submission & Plan Your Travel
Submit Online: Forward your complete application via the official job board hosting the Howe Farming Enterprises listing.
Relocation Readiness: Because the farm is located in Mareeba, QLD, ensure you have a plan for accommodation and local transport in the Atherton Tablelands / Mareeba area prior to your intended start date.
Summary Overview Table
| Feature | Job Details |
| Position | Farm Labourer (Short-Term Seasonal & Long-Term Contract) |
| Employer | Howe Farming Enterprises Pty Ltd |
| Location | Mareeba, Cairns & Far North QLD |
| Positions Available | 100 Casual Seasonal (9-month) & 30 Permanent (2-year contract) |
| Pay Rates | Standard Horticulture Award Rates (30–40+ hrs/week) |
| Visa Eligibility | Counts toward 2nd & 3rd Year WHV (Subclass 417 / 462) |
⚠️ Essential Security & Fair Work Notice for Job Seekers
Protect your personal safety and legal rights during your Australian farm job search:
No Upfront Placement Fees: Howe Farming Enterprises is a direct agricultural employer. Legitimate Australian employers and recruiters will never charge candidates upfront fees for job placement, application processing, or work tools.
Fair Work Compliance: Every employee in Australia is entitled to lawful minimum pay, safe working environments, and digital payslips. Rates must adhere to the Horticulture Award.
Data Protection: Never share sensitive financial details like bank passwords or credit card numbers during the initial application process. Your Tax File Number (TFN) and bank account details for payroll are only collected after an official offer is signed.
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