Practical, plain-English setup for backpackers, working holiday makers, PALM scheme and other seasonal workers arriving for picking season across Mildura, Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Buloke and Yarriambiack.
Apply free at ato.gov.au — foreign passport holders already in Australia apply online through myGov/ATO using their passport. It typically takes about 3 weeks to arrive by post. Without a TFN your employer must withhold tax at the top rate, so apply as early as possible.
Apply for a TFN (ATO) ↗Most of the big four banks (Commonwealth Bank, NAB, ANZ, Westpac) let eligible visa holders open an account online before or shortly after arriving, using just a passport. You'll need this account for your employer to pay your wages.
Visa & entry requirements (Home Affairs) ↗Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with several countries (including the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and New Zealand) — citizens of these countries can enrol in Medicare for subsidised treatment while working here. Backpackers and PALM workers from other countries generally need private travel/health insurance instead — check your visa conditions.
Reciprocal Health Care Agreements ↗See the month-by-month growing & harvest calendar to know when picking work is on for each crop.
Main public hospital for Sunraysia, including 24-hour emergency department.
Swan Hill District HealthPublic hospital and health services for Swan Hill and district.
Robinvale District Health ServicesLocal hospital, urgent care and community health for Robinvale.
Healthdirect (24/7 health advice line)Free helpline (1800 022 222) for health advice any time, in multiple languages via TIS National (131 450).
Listings of hostels and farm-stay accommodation aimed at seasonal workers around Mildura.
Sunraysia caravan parks (Mildura Rural City)Council-endorsed list of caravan and holiday parks across Mildura, Red Cliffs, Merbein and Irymple.
Swan Hill caravan & holiday parksCaravan parks in and around Swan Hill.
Ask your labour hire provider or growerMany licensed providers and farms arrange (or require) worker accommodation as part of the job — always get any accommodation deduction from your pay in writing before you agree to it.
Daily V/Line coach and rail connections between Melbourne and Mildura, Swan Hill and towns along the way.
V/Line — Melbourne to Swan HillV/Line services to Swan Hill, Kerang and Cohuna.
PTV Journey PlannerPlan any public transport trip across Victoria.
VicRoads — driving in VictoriaInternational driving permits, licence conversion and road rules if you plan to drive between farms.
You are entitled to at least the minimum award pay rate no matter your visa or nationality — piece rates must still average out to at least the minimum hourly rate. It's illegal for an employer to threaten your visa for raising a pay or safety concern.