Exploitation Of Backpackers In Australia

[Dreamsandlove]

It's actually shocking. Anyone on here...been to/are in australia and feel at times they've been exploited because they are a backpacker?!

[Neveracrossword]

Do you have a link? I haven't seen or heard anything about the exploitation of backpackers.

[rsvp]

in what way does this 'explotation. manifest itself?

[mikey4444]

Dreamsandlove....its not clear what you are talking about here !

[Daffy6543]

This might help to make sense of this post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/sohoonleeau/backpackers-are-good-to-australia-but-is-australia-good-to-back/

[Hopkirk]

I have far bigger things to worry about.

[Dreamsandlove]

Nothing at all to do with backpacker tax. More about how they are treated when doing their regional work.

Coming out on a working holiday visa means you can work for 1 year. If you'd like to extend to 2 years you need to do 3 months regional work. Some conditions are terrible. Workers badly underpaid, working long hours, never getting breaks or days off etc. Just wanted to hear other people's stories of their regional. Not for people's comments or opinions.

The guy who wrote 'I have better things to worry about' - good for you. Wasn't asking for your stupid response.

[Daffy6543]

Perhaps if you had written that in your op there wouldn't have been any confusion from subsequent posters.

[Old_Geezer]

Not overly familiar but I do have a niece there working for, well I never asked, I assumed a few years, on those terms. From her descriptions it doesn't sound like the jobs/conditions are ideal; but in the final analysis no one is obliged to go. She thinks it well worth it for the life experience.

Surely if one position doesn't appeal you can move to the next town and try for a better one there ?

[Old_Geezer]

Worth recalling that furreners are going to get offered the jobs that the locals aren't much interested in, due to pay, conditions, whatever.

[Neveracrossword]

Dreamsandlove, thanks for the further information. Your post is in 'Chatterbank' so it's a bit unfair to say you 'don't want people's comments or opinions'. Some of us would think exploitation is shocking, wherever it happens.

[trt]

Three of my 4 children (2 girls 1 boy) have backpacked in Australia, and were never exploited.

They loved it, and the 2 girls have been living there permanent with husbands & children for the past 10, and 7 years.

[EcclesCake]

Not sure I'd go as far as describing it as exploitation. Testing someone's mettle to establish how much they wish to extend their residency seems reasonable.

A relative has just been through the process, yes, it was hard graft but they survived.

[ummmm]

My daughter was there for 2 years and never done any regional work. She was offered a 4 year visa but decided to come home.

[Dreamsandlove]

Ummmm did your daughter enjoy australia?

[seekeerz]

Hi Dreams ...as you can probably guess I'm an Aussie ....I'm curious to know just what work you're doing down here ....I haven't been able to deduce from your posts .....but

If you're picking fruit which so many back packers do, then the conditions aren't too surprising ....not good but others get by...

If you're teaching then the deal seems pretty cockeyed ....what teacher works 7 days a week ...

Are you working as a governess ?

Tell me more please ....

[Dreamsandlove]

Seeks I'm on a farm as and all rounder/cleaner/rock picker/look after children/feed animals...I literally just so anything asked of me for 7 days a week. 7am to 8pm. No breaks etc. Pretty grim

[seekeerz]

Blimey that's a bit full on !! Which state are you in ??

[ChillDoubt]

But just to clarify, you're there by choice and not being held against your will?
You're free to leave at any time, yes?

[1ozzy]

Many backpackers working on farms have a great time down under.
There are people all over the world that will exploit others.
Move on and find a decent person to work for.
I live in a rural area and meet lots of backpackers working on local farms and they love it.
Don't judge everyone on the few you have met.