What position do you hold at VisitOz? What led you to join their team?
Georgie: I work as the Programme Manager. I started of as a VisitOz participant and got offered a job here at the training farm.
I expected to only stay for 3-6 months, but found my new home here and have been working for VisitOz for more than 4 years.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
Georgie: I am able to live on location on the farm in a rural setting with all my expenses included, I am able to be with my horses and lead a healthy outdoor lifestyle.
The view from my desk looks out across the farm, I am able to watch the training programme as it takes place and not feel like I am trapped in an office based environment
What makes VisitOz's programs special?
Georgie: It is a unique business and there are no companies out there offering the same package that we offer. The VisitOz programme is not only a great experience but participants are also able to get a paid job at the end of it. Effectively they are able to earn back the cost of the training course, admin support and other initial costs paid.
What is your favorite story of a participant's experience with VisitOz?
Georgie: One of our Canadian participants worked Cotton harvesting for 5 months. She earned a lot of money driving tractors and was able to obtain a second visa. She returned to Canada after her first year and missed Australia.
She came back 6 months later. During this time she fell in love with an Aussie and he asked her to marry him. She now lives in northern New South Wales and wrote to thank us for where it all began. These stories make our job worth it.
What tips would you share with someone considering the VisitOz program?
Georgie: Make sure you are prepared for the fact that the jobs we offer are really tough and something you would have never experienced in working life before. This is because farm work is a lifestyle choice not a job. Be flexible in the work that is offered to you because there is so much more to discover about the role when you get there.
Either way you must be prepared to work sun up to sun down, often in very high temperatures and be prepared to learn on the job and be taken out of your comfort zone.
There will be bad days and good days, as like in any job that you are getting paid to do,but at the end of your 3-6 months working you can be sure that you have had an incredible and unique experience, learned new skills and pocketed all of the money you have earned.