Horticulture businesses across the state will receive extra support during the summer harvest to attract and retain new workers, thanks to the Victorian Government’s new round of the popular Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus.

The new Summer Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus encourages workers who have never worked in agriculture to take up a role in horticulture and receive $2,430 on top of their wage for 40 days’ work.

This Sign-on Bonus is available to workers who start work on or after 1 November 2021 and is designed to encourage new workers into horticulture, while supporting those sectors of the industry preparing for their peak harvest in the coming months.

Employers and farmers in sectors such as stone fruit, berries and cherries will be able to use the Summer Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus until 31 December to attract new pickers and packers. New workers need to complete the first 10 days’ work and apply for the first $810 instalment of the bonus within 30 days of starting work.

Workers then have 90 days to complete the additional 30 days’ work to receive the extra $1,620 instalment of the bonus.

The Victorian Government is delivering the Summer Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus as part of the $10.5 million program, and it is anticipated about 1,100 new workers will receive the bonus to support the upcoming harvest. For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bigharvest