Brisbane Australia
Wwoofing Australia
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WWOOFING AUSTRALIA

Willing Workers On Organic Farms or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a form of cultural exchange whereby members of the WWOOF Australia organisation live and work as family on host farms. As this is a world wide organisation, WWOOF networks are located all over the globe in countries that include; Germany, Canada, Israel, France, Brazil, Hungary, France and Canada.  This experience allows Australian travelers and visitors from over seas the opportunity to explore the country in a safe and easy manner, it also allows travelers to learn more about the area of Australia that they are working in and it teaches them organic growing skills.

As long as you are over the age of 17 you can join WWOOF and you don’t need to be Australian to join the Australian WWOOF network. Although the age limit is set from 17 years old it is important that members exercise a level of maturity and independence to participate in the program. It is also important that participants are physically fit and mentally capable of working in laborious conditions.
The hours spent working on the organic farms varies due to the varying degrees of self-sufficiency of the host farms and how busy the farm is at the time you are staying. Given the fact that in exchange for work the WWOOFer is receiving a full days keep (that is accommodation as well as food) it is generally considered working 4 – 6 hours per day is fair.


JOINING WWOOF AND IT’S BENEFITS:

Once you have decided to that you want to join the Australian WWOOF network the first thing you need to do is to purchase a WWOOF book. The WWOOF book is your proof of membership (in the back of this book your birth date and date of joining will appear as well as your signature so no one else can use your book) and it contains a list of around 1700 host farms within Australia.

After you have purchased the WWOOF book you will receive a twelve month membership subscription. This subscription will give you a small insurance plan which will cover you when you are working on registered host farms.
Finally after you have paid your membership and received your WWOOF book you can now go and find the host farm that appeals most to you.

A WWOOF book plus twelve months membership in Australia and the insurance plan will cost you $60 (Australian Dollars) for a single person and $70 for two people.

If you are considering a WWOOF membership it is very important that you research the website and ensure that the Hosts you have chosen are legitimate as there are many fraudulent websites offering WWOOF memberships.


MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS OF WWOOF:

As well as working in exchange for food and accommodation (which is usually in the family home) those with a WWOOF membership are also able to receive; a knowledge of organic growing/farming, an education about Australia, a choice of 1200 organic farms offering to teach participants aspects of – organic growing, bio-dynamics and permaculture as well as the opportunity to meet people from all over the world with varying degrees of experience.


SUCCESSFUL WOOFING TIPS:

  • Keep in mind that many of the host farms are trying to maintain a simple, sustainable lifestyle therefore a respect for the land is required.
  • The work you will be doing is wide and variable so be prepared to do tasks such as gardening, mustering, planting, milking and compost making.
  • The minimum stay on a WWOOF host farm is 2 nights whilst the maximum can be mutually agreed upon by yourself and the host (though trial periods for longer stays are generally required).
  • Accommodation conditions can vary so it might be a good idea to pack a sleeping bag not to mention boots and gloves, sunglasses and hat for protection whilst working.
  • When making contact with your chosen host try to call between the hours of Noon and 2 pm (lunch time) or 6pm and 8pm. Be sure to mention any allergies, food preferences or physical limitations you may have.
  • When conversing with the host make sure you emphasise your skills and reasons as to why you wish to be a worker on their property.
  • If you are planning to WWOOF with your children make sure you mention this to your host before you have been given the position. Some host do accept children onto their farms.
  • Make sure you have planned ahead. Work out how you are going to get to your allotted host farm and be there on time, don’t expect the host to pick you up at a moments notice.
  • Use your common sense and respect your host. Don’t raid their cupboards, use their internet and run up their phone bill without previous consent.