The exchange began in 1986 and is an incorporated community nonprofit association.
IRE has members from every state in Australia and are hosts or past trainees.
A board of 9 is elected to appoint a full time National Coordinator. The present coordinator has 30 years experience in Australian and Overseas rural exchange activity, education and training, rural lobby and community leadership.
IRE has a nationwide network of hosts and alumni to assist in screening host and trainee applicants.
IRE is in partnerships with 30 similar groups in North America, UK, Central and Western Europe, South Africa and New Zealand.
IRE assists 70+ Australians to travel
each year. 220+ participants come to Australia from other countries. The average age of participants is 21 to 25 years of age.
Most applicants apply via home country organizations, (a few come direct if no IRE Partner) IRE has a nation wide network or over 240 hosts to give you access to good production systems in many regions, climates & types of farming or horticulture.
75% of places are in farming with others in horticulture and, wine and horses.
Participants are required to have a Motor Drivers Licence, a minimum of a years hands on practical experience and be healthy.
You also need to be flexible, open, interested and adaptable plus have the desire to learn new things. A good level of working conversational English is a must.
You also require a passport that is valid for more then two years when you come to Australia.
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Main intakes are mid March, July, September and October. Trainees in pay IRE a $1128 fee, inclusive of 10% gst.
Normal placement is 5 to 7 months, but this is flexible, depending on seasons/climate, etc.
After arrival, participants undertake a 3 day orientation seminar as an introduction to the Australian tax system, visa’s, travel, Australia Ag, lifestyle and culture.
An “on site” supervision visit is undertaken a month later to see that all is OK.
The minimum weekly allowance is $15.00/hr for 38hr week.
Trainee normally lives with host family although not always in some industries.
The ATO consider trainees as Australian residents for tax purposes (to be considered an Australian Resident for Tax Purposes you must be at one placement for 183 days).
Normal workers compensation is made by hosts and trainees must obtain IRE’s travel insurance to be accepted into the program.
Class 416 special program visa— ”work experience, cultural exchange” maximum 1 year.
The experience is slightly different to a normal employer/employee relationship, it is a lot closer. Majority of hosts are regular, ongoing supporters and participants.
Host pay a membership of $55/yr plus $275 per 6 month trainee placement.
Trainees come to Australia to work and to learn as part of their career development.
Many take over family enterprises going on to become community and industry leaders. |
