Header Operator, WILLOW TREE NSW

AusAG Rural; Willow Tree; On-site; AUD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided

Meals provided

On-site accommodation

Job summary

AusAG Rural in Willow Tree, NSW, is seeking an experienced header operator to drive John Deere S680 headers during a large-scale harvest. You will work across farm and contracting operations, focusing on efficiency, grain quality, and safety.

Accommodation and meals are provided, with a highly competitive hourly rate. The role requires independence, reliable transport, and willingness to commit to a 4–6 week harvest season.

Qualifications

• Experience operating modern harvesting machinery on broadacre crops.
• Ability to set up and optimise header performance for harvesting efficiency.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and basic maintenance skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate John Deere S680 headers with GreenStar GPS across harvest programs.
• Harvest wheat and chickpeas and assist with machinery operation and logistics.
• Conduct daily pre-start inspections and basic servicing to minimise downtime.
• Support harvest logistics and machinery movements across farm and contracting work.

Skills

John Deere S680 operation

Harvesting machinery operation

Mechanical aptitude

Own tools

Tools

Own tools

Job description

Take the wheel of a John Deere S680 this harvest and work across the renowned Liverpool Plains, harvesting wheat and chickpeas for a respected family-owned farming and contracting business. With modern machinery, accommodation, meals and a top hourly rate on offer, this is one of the standout header opportunities of the season.

• Operate modern John Deere S680 headers with GreenStar GPS technology across a large-scale harvest program.
• Harvest wheat and chickpeas while assisting with machinery operation and harvest logistics across both farm and contracting work.
• Accommodation and meals provided, attractive hourly rates on offer and additional remuneration consideration for strong mechanical skills.

Take the wheel of a John Deere S680 this harvest and work across the renowned Liverpool Plains, harvesting wheat and chickpeas for a respected family-owned farming and contracting business. With modern machinery, accommodation, meals and a top hourly rate on offer, this is one of the standout header opportunities of the season.

• Operate modern John Deere S680 headers with GreenStar GPS technology across a large-scale harvest program.
• Harvest wheat and chickpeas while assisting with machinery operation and harvest logistics across both farm and contracting work.
• Accommodation and meals provided, attractive hourly rates on offer and additional remuneration consideration for strong mechanical skills.

Operating from Willow Tree in the heart of the renowned Liverpool Plains region, this family-owned and operated dryland cropping business produces a range of summer and winter crops while also running a well-established contracting operation servicing properties within a 250-kilometre radius.

Reporting directly to the business owners and management team, this role will suit an experienced header operator who can work independently, take pride in machinery operation and commit to seeing the harvest season through from start to finish. The position is scheduled to commence in mid-October, subject to seasonal and weather conditions.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

• Operate John Deere S680 headers fitted with GreenStar GPS systems to efficiently harvest wheat and chickpeas across both the family farming operation and associated contracting programs throughout the Liverpool Plains region.
• Monitor crop and machine performance while confidently adjusting rotor speed, fan speed, concave clearance and sieve settings to maximise grain quality, minimise losses and maintain harvesting efficiency.
• Conduct daily pre-start inspections, basic servicing and preventative maintenance on machinery, identifying potential mechanical issues early and assisting with repairs where required to minimise downtime.
• Support broader harvest operations by assisting with machinery movements, paddock logistics and other seasonal farming activities as required throughout the harvest period.

Selection Criteria:

• Demonstrated experience operating modern harvesting machinery, with the ability to confidently set up and optimise header performance across varying crop types and harvesting conditions.
• Previous experience harvesting broadacre crops, with exposure to chickpea harvesting highly regarded, along with an understanding of grain quality and harvest efficiency requirements.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to carry out routine maintenance and fault-finding, with applicants possessing their own tools (viewed favourably when determining remuneration).
• Current driver's licence and reliable vehicle, combined with the willingness to work extended harvest hours and commit fully to the entire 4-6-week harvest season.

Additional Particulars:

• Single accommodation provided on-site, with all meals supplied throughout the harvest period.
• Very attractive hourly rate on offer, with higher remuneration considered for candidates demonstrating strong mechanical skills and practical workshop capability.
• Full-time seasonal harvest position commencing mid-October (season and weather dependent), operating within a modern and well-maintained John Deere machinery fleet.
• Applications will be considered as they are received.
• Please note that our client does not offer visa sponsorship for this position and are unable to accept applications from candidates currently on a Working Holiday visa in Australia.