CBH’s harvest operations not hampered by WA’s hard border

Australia’s biggest grain exporter has received more than 2500 applications for casual jobs this harvest, installing confidence it can provide a normal service to farmers despite the pandemic. The number of applications are slightly lower than average with WA’s hard border in place but Co-operative Bulk Handling said it was confident there were enough suitable candidates to fill the 1300 to 1700 jobs needed for the 2020 grain haul. CBH chief people officer Kelly McKenzie said because of COVID travel restrictions, there would be a greater reliance on WA-based workers this season. The seasonal employees will help CBH get about 15 million tonnes of grain in the bins across more than 100 WA receival sites, stretching from north of Geraldton to Albany and across to Esperance. The casuals, many of whom are university students on summer break, are paid from $28.73 an hour with additional rates payable for shifts worked on weekends. WA’s broader agricultural industry is facing a critical shortage of workers because WA’s hard border has stopped the influx of seasonal labour. Grain farmers, many of whom employ skilled machinery operators from Europe, estimate the industry is hundreds of workers down this year and they are concerned about safely harvesting the 2020 crop. Fruit and vegetable farmers are anxious about their harvest, particularly as production picks up in spring, with fewer seasonal workers and backpackers here. Ms McKenzie said unsuccessful applicants would be encouraged to register for regional farm-based jobs with the Jobs in WA Food & Ag website, which matches applicants to seasonal and permanent opportunities in the agriculture industry. WA grain farmers have delivered an average crop of about 15.29 million tonnes over the past five years — most being delivered to CBH, injecting about $6 billion annually into the State’s economy.