Host Wineries - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Community all about?
This program provides a life changing experience for enthusiastic wine industry personnel from all the winemaking regions of the world. It not only provides a visa for legal work in Australia but also a comprehensive program of support and mentorship during the participants stay. It is not a source of cheap labour for host wineries, but rather a true cultural exchange where the winery staff and families benefit as much as the participant. Bibber is associated with a global network of partners, all of whom seek excellence in the quality of the services they offer both the participants and the hosts. Bibber International is the only wine industry specific program of its type in the world.
How does it work?
Step 1. |
Applications from suitable participants are submitted via Bibber's exchange partners. |
Step 2. |
Applicant details are circulated to interested wine industry hosts. Full applications are supplied to member wineries that are interested in a particular person. The winery may contact the referees and/or the applicant directly to determine suitability. |
Step 3. |
If the applicant is suitable, a placement agreement is completed by the wine industry host, signed and sent to the applicant. |
Step 4. |
A letter of endorsement is provided by Bibber that allows the applicant to apply for a visa. This visa is centrally processed through an Australian Office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). If the applicant requires a medical examination to enter the country, this is also organized. |
Step 5. |
The participant arrives in Australia prior to commencement date and attends a three day ‘Welcome to Australia’ party/orientation seminar. Attendance is recommended and certainly helps the participant cope in the first few weeks. The seminar provides general information about living in Australia and also wine industry specific information. Assistance with obtaining a tax file number and opening a bank account is also provided. This seminar also provides the participant with contact details of other participants who are currently working here in Australia. Staff of host wineries are also welcome to attend the numerous dinners and meet with their staff and the other Bibbers. These orientation seminars are held at weekly intervals to provide maximum flexibility of arrival to participants working in all regions of the wine industry. |
Step 6. |
Most participants will travel directly to their host winery following the seminar. If vintage is late, they may travel before taking up their placement. They are encouraged to stay in contact with their host during this time. |
Step 7. |
The participants work for the length of time specified on the Placement Agreement (or as agreed by both parties) before leaving their host to travel or return home. |
Step 8. |
Both the host winery and the participant are sent a feedback form, which enables them to evaluate the experience, the program and the services offered by Bibber. The participant also receives a certificate upon of successful completion. |
Step 9 |
The participant returns home (sometimes after a brief holiday) and all mail is forwarded from the Bibber office to him via email, fax or post. After the 30 June, Bibber coordinates the collection of payment summaries and the lodgement of tax returns through its alliance with a registered tax agent. Superannuation is also managed in the same way. |
Who is eligible to come to Australia using this program?
A suitable participant:
- Has at least one vintage winery experience
- Often is studying or has completed tertiary winemaking or viticultural qualifications
- Has a good command of the English language
- Has two references that can be verified
- Is committed to and enthusiastic about the wine industry
- Is under 30 years of age *
* There are other options available to people over 30, however the visa process is different. Please contact us if you have a direct applicant who is over the age limit.
Why should my winery use Bibber instead of going directly to DIAC?
The cost of sponsoring one person for vintage directly through the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMIA) is $190 which is required of the nominee. A nomination does not attract any fees however there is a large amount of paperwork, and, depending on the visa type, some sponsorship responsibilities may be required. In addition to this, the wine industry host is obliged to assist the trainee with tax and banking issues and provide other support during their stay. Because the person has no developed network of friends in the same position there may be greater demand on winery staff time and resources. Whilst there is still some paperwork to complete for obtaining International staff through Bibber, the bureaucracy often encountered through DIAC is minimised. Also, only one membership application is required even if there are several participants at the winery site. Another issue is that it is possible that the trainee may have to pay more tax. (see What about tax? below)
How much does it cost?
Your winery can join the Bibber Wine Community for a yearly Membership of $110. All these funds (except for the GST component) are used to fund the 'Esther Knewitz Memorial Scholarship', in memory of a participant who lost her life while working in Australia in May 2004. All members of the program will have access to participant information and will receive newsletters keeping them informed of the activities of the program. The winery can also use the Bibber program to process participants that have applied directly to them. These participants are entitled to a reduction in fees for applying to the program with a winery host already organised.
How much do we have to pay them?
One of the conditions of this program is that participants are paid on a casual basis according to the wine and spirit award of your state. If you do not already have this information, visit the Federal and State Awards and Conditions of Employment website at www.wagenet.gov.au The participants shall be paid overtime according to the relevant award and, because they all will have some experience, should be paid at a level higher than the entry/training level, that is at least level 2. They will expect to be paid around $12 - $15 per hour as a basic wage. Please note that this program is not a source of cheap labour!
Can I choose a specific nationality?
If someone at your organisation speaks a foreign language or has an interest in a particular country, then it is fine to specify a nationality. Please remember, however that it may limit your choice of available participants.
Do I need to provide transport?
There is no obligation to provide transport for the participants, though it has been known for wineries to lend them a bicycle! Bibber has sourced a supplier of reliable (but not pretty!) second hand cars that can be made available to the participants, complete with appropriate insurance, 24 hr roadside assist and a buy back option.
Do I need to provide accommodation?
There is no obligation for a wine industry host to provide accommodation. However if you are in a remote location, any assistance provided to the participant would be much appreciated. Some partner programs insist on the provision of accommodation for their participants, so if you can provide housing or board, you will have more participants to choose from.
You may also like to help them while they are seeking accommodation by providing a place to stay in the short term. Where there is a large concentration of participants, advertisements will be placed in newspapers to source people willing to participate in providing accommodation for people in their own home for a reasonable fee.
If I do provide accommodation, can I pay them less?
If your winery provides accommodation, you can charge rent or board for this service. It is wise however, to keep the wages and the board separate and make sure that all the transactions are transparent, to prevent any misunderstanding.
What about tax?
Participants will usually pay tax as a temporary resident and this results in a tax rate of approximately 6% -15%. Bibber has received verbal information from the Tax Office which indicates that 416 Special Program visa holders who come through an exchange program and are working for one employer for the duration of their stay, are entitled to pay Tax as Australian residents, rather than paying the 30% (from the first $1) charged to working holiday makers. Bibber has also outsourced a registered tax agent and financial advisor to assist participants with lodging their tax return and also to help them obtain a refund for their superannuation contributions.
How long can I employ them for?
The visa can be issued for up to one year, however most participants are employed for the vintage period only. You can specify the time on the host application form and on the Placement Agreement. There a few people who would like to stay longer than vintage and many who wish to travel in Australia after completing their work commitments.
What else do I need to provide?
The wine industry host must provide a safe working environment that complies with all relevant State and Federal Laws. This includes the provision of safety equipment and any training specific to your winery.
What about medical insurance?
If the participant is injured while at your winery, he or she is covered by Work Cover. If he or she is injured when away from work, he or she will be covered by a medical/travel insurance policy that is a compulsory element of the Bibber program.
What happens if we don’t get on?
If there is conflict between you and the participant, please contact us and we will make every effort to resolve the problem. This could mean phone calls to both parties, site visits and mediated meetings. Because the employment period is for a short term, it is hoped that good communication will reduce or remove the problem.
How much does the participant have to pay to take part in the Bibber program?
The fees for 2008 are AUD$1750 for an unplaced participant and $1550 if they have found their own winery. This covers administration, support, visa and Orientation seminar fees (four to six days accommodation, all food, wine and beer, airport pickup etc). It also includes all their tax, banking and superannuation arrangements and a mail forwarding service after they have left Australia. Please note that the Bibber International Exchange Program is a non-profit program. The motivation for the participants is usually self-development or experience oriented, and they are usually enthusiastic and committed individuals who display initiative and are eager to learn.
If you have any further questions about the Bibber Wine community, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or email us on the details below. |
