BECOME A WWOOF HOST FARM
Get help on your Farm with access to Volunteer WWOOFers.
What is WWOOF?
An opportunity for you to have willing volunteers come to stay and learn your organic practices, while helping you out for 4-6 hours daily.
WWOOF Farms are Essential Businesses and WWOOFers are Essential Volunteer Workers, helping secure Australia’s vital food chain during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mission Statement
WWOOF is a worldwide movement linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchanges, helping to build a sustainable global community.
What’s in it FOR YOU?
- 4-6 hrs/day of help on your farm(Max 38 hrs/7days)
- Teach others your skills
- Show travellers the local secrets
- Access to WWOOFer volunteers
- Website and Mobile App membership
Join a community of around 2,000 WWOOF members
Membership features …
Website Profile
Create your own unique Profile, showcasing your property, your family and your techniques.
Follow Volunteers
Found a potential Volunteer? Save them to your Favourites to make it easier to find them again.
Instant Messaging
Contact Volunteers in real time with Instant Private messaging, as well as Discussion Forums and a Notice Board.
Images
Showcase your farm with your own image gallery
Mobile App
The mobile App was designed for WWOOFers to find Hosts whilst offline. WWOOFers can use the App to show Hosts their membership ID by presenting their Profile upon arrival.
Map Search
Use the intuitive Map Search to find Volunteers nearby your location or anywhere in Australia.
Online Reviews
WWOOFers leave Reviews for Host Farms. Hosts can leave Reviews for Volunteers.
Help & Support
The WWOOF Australia office is open 5 days a week, available via phone and email.
Connect via Website and Private Messaging
Being a Host Farm ...
Teach others your skills and improve your property, finish those tasks that you thought would never get done, show travellers the local sights, enjoy companionship, and foster cultural exchange.
WWOOF hosts must:
- Grow or produce organic products, but not necessarily be ‘Certified Organic’.
- Provide experiences to WWOOFers in sustainable land care: Organic, bio-dynamic, permaculture, regenerative agriculture, syntropic farming or aquaculture techniques.
- Provide all food and clean comfortable accommodation to WWOOFers in exchange for 4 to 6 hours maximum of volunteering daily (Maximum 38 hours in 7 days).
- Be an ‘Ambassador for Australia’ and provide a safe haven for WWOOFers.
- Treat WWOOFers with respect and consideration.
Opening your home and your heart to travellers from all over the world offers the potential for amazing cultural experiences, new ideas, new foods and lifelong friendships.
WWOOFers live and volunteer with their hosts in the same way that relatives and friends do when they visit. Your best WWOOFers will become part of your family. If you travel overseas one day, they may well return your hospitality!
Join in 3 Easy Steps!
1
Sign Up from $30 To $65
2
Create Your Profile
3
Find Volunteers
Select your WWOOF Host membership
WWOOF Host Memberships
Pay by Credit Card or Bank Deposit
Invite WWOOFers to stay and help out & teach your techniques.
Host Farm
Certified Organic
$30
Organic Certification required
12 month membership.
Host Farm
Non-Certified
$65
Non-Certified
12 month membership.
Host Farm
Concession
$50
Health Care Card Only.
12 month membership.
FAQs & Legal Stuff
- Host Guidelines
- Host Information
- Complaints
- VISAs
- Obligations
- History
- Remote Work & Study Placements
- Hosting families & WWOOfers with their own accommodation
WWOOF Hosts must:
• Grow or produce organic products.
• Provide experiences to WWOOFers in organic farming/gardening techniques.
• Provide all food and clean comfortable accommodation to WWOOFers in exchange for 4 to 6 hours maximum of volunteering daily (Max 38 hours in 7 days).
• Be an ‘Ambassador for Australia’ and provide a safe haven for WWOOFers.
• Treat WWOOFers with respect and consideration.
- WWOOFers provide photo ID and proof of membership on arrival. The WWOOFers profile in their WWOOF App or website is their membership proof. Hosts should arrange membership for non-members online at wwoof.com.au or by calling WWOOF.
- Hosts keep a Guestbook for WWOOFers to sign and record their Membership username, visa type and dates of their visit. Please download this sample Guestbook page. If required, the WWOOFer agreement should be signed by host and WWOOFer.
- The most important experience for WWOOFers is learning about your farming/gardening techniques. Please be patient with WWOOFers and be available whenever possible. Demonstrate how tools and equipment work to avoid breakages and injuries & ensure WWOOFers fully understand safety precautions & procedures. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be provided to ensure safety of WWOOFers.
- Provide a variety of tasks, even if very basic, wherever possible work with your WWOOFers, for companionship and to facilitate learning opportunities. Include WWOOFers in the whole routine of your property. Do not isolate them: being alone for hours can be boring and lonely.
- Explain daily patterns so WWOOFers can organise their time. They will expect to volunteer for 4 to 6 hours in exchange for living and learning. Flexible hours allow WWOOFers to have free days, discuss hours and types of tasks, conditions, days off, etc. on initial inquiry to avoid misunderstandings. 5 days volunteering in 7 days is preferred, a maximum of 38 hrs per 7 days.
• Hospitality work, waitressing and child-care are not accepted as WWOOFing.
• WWOOFers should keep their living area tidy, clean up themselves and help with meals or washing up, but housework must not be their primary task. - WWOOFing is a voluntary, non-monetary exchange. Hosts must not charge WWOOFers and WWOOFers must not be paid. If a WWOOFer accepts any form of payment it is not considered WWOOFing and they must be paid the award wage, with Superannuation, Income Tax deductions and any required allowances as per the Government requirements with correct record keeping. WWOOF Australia is not responsible for any outside agreements made between the two parties.
- In Australia, WWOOF is the registered and protected trademark of WWOOF Pty Ltd and using the term WWOOF without our express permission is a breach of trademark law. Registered Hosts are given permission to use the term WWOOF, expired members must not advertise as WWOOF Hosts as this is in breach of trademark law. If Hosts are advertising as WWOOF Australia Hosts outside of the WWOOF Australia website, they must always display their WWOOF User ID in the advertisement.
- Most Hosts provide accommodation in a spare room in their home. WWOOFers eat with the family and share in the chores. A caravan, cabin, tent or a self-contained dwelling are acceptable alternatives. Make this clear in your profile and at booking. Ask about special diets on initial inquiry, if you cannot cater for this, ask WWOOFers to bring any special food.
- Accommodation and food preparation areas must be adequate and hygienic. Food and bedding should be clean and warm. Food should be fresh and organic where possible.
- Hosts are Ambassadors for Australia. In the spirit of cultural exchange treat WWOOFers as members of your family and assist them to receive suitable medical treatment if necessary.
- Many WWOOFers use public transport. Picking WWOOFers up from the nearest bus or train by arrangement is helpful. Always exchange mobile numbers in case of problems.
- We recommend inviting WWOOFers for short stays initially, negotiating longer stays if you are both happy. If WWOOFers don’t abide by your ‘house rules’ or follow the WWOOF Guidelines you may ask them to leave. Facilitate this by offering internet or phone access to find another place to stay and offer a lift to the bus, town or the nearest Hostel if needed.
- Abusive language, inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment of any kind will not be tolerated, this includes swearing or yelling at a WWOOFer or intentional unwelcome touching of any kind, including hugging. If we receive complaints of this nature, your membership may be cancelled, at our discretion.
- WWOOF reserves the right to refuse to list a Host or to remove a Host profile as we see fit. We will edit profiles as necessary for accuracy and to ensure compliance with the WWOOF Guidelines.
- WWOOFing is strictly voluntary. Hosts must be fully aware of regulations governing holders of Working Holiday, Student and Visitor (Tourist) visas.
- Hosts must not allow WWOOFers to use chemicals, i.e. herbicides/pesticides, etc.
- Hosts offering opportunities for WWOOFers who are Working remotely or Studying online must also follow these additional Guidelines
You are solely responsible for complying with the relevant rules and laws in your jurisdiction (if any) especially regarding tax and insurance and you must comply with Work Cover Legislation and Occupational Health and Safety Requirements, including the provision of all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
NOTE: WWOOF P/L cannot condone the breaking of State and/or Federal laws. WWOOF P/L reserves the right to cancel a Hosts registration immediately if we believe the Hosts' actions may bring the name of the WWOOF Australia program into disrepute.
WWOOF reserves the right to amend/update these guidelines as required.
Host Profiles include contact details, a detailed property description, work to be done, and meal and accommodation arrangements, availability calendar, location map and messaging links. WWOOFers search the website or their App, choose Hosts to contact, and arrange a mutually agreeable time to visit.
WWOOFers live and volunteer their time with Host families just as relatives or friends do when visiting. The minimum stay is 2 nights (to prevent WWOOFers eating, sleeping and leaving the next morning), the maximum stay is up to the Host and WWOOFer.
We receive so much positive feedback from our WWOOF Hosts about their wonderful experiences, but there can also be problems, as WWOOF Hosting is not for everyone.
Carefully consider the following issues BEFORE deciding to become a Host as you may need to deal with them if they arise.
- WWOOFers are generally unskilled.
- some have never left their home country, or the city.
- some have never completed tasks outside.
- WWOOFers sometimes book in, then don’t arrive.
- cultural, lifestyle, personality and language differences can lead to misunderstandings.
Good communication between Hosts and WWOOFers is essential. With patience, understanding and compassion, it can be a worthwhile and memorable experience for most WWOOF Hosts.
Please read the Host Guidelines and Obligations carefully. You can apply online to become a Host and set up your own profile. It is important to be totally up-front with the information about your property to prevent surprises and complaints. Many of our Hosts are very unusual, and this adds to the diversity of the WWOOF Program, so don't be shy about the things you offer that set you aside from 'the norm'! Your Host profile will be on our website and on the WWOOF App.
To find WWOOFers, post regular advertisements in our Notice Board on our website, or search on the Map search for nearby WWOOFers. Please keep your profile accurate and up-to-date. WWOOFers search the website and WWOOF App for hosts, so be sure to include key words in your profile rather than generalisations. For example, rather than "we have many different animals", "we have pigs, horses, goats, chickens, ducks, bees and sheep" will ensure your profile comes up in many different WWOOFer searches.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
We rely heavily on feedback from all members to maintain the integrity of the WWOOF program. All complaints must be in writing, with names, membership user names and dates. We verify the identity of a WWOOFer or host making a complaint, but treat this information as confidential.
If we receive a complaint, we will contact the member about whom the complaint was made to follow up the issues raised. We will require the member to provide us with contact and membership details of other members they have hosted or visited.
Failure to provide these details will result in the member’s registration being cancelled.
We are aware that many problems arise due to personality conflicts and we always take this into account when dealing with complaints. We also take into consideration the length of time a member has been in the program and the number of WWOOFers they host, or hosts they visit.
GENERAL COMPLAINTS
For complaints about unsuitable accommodation, food, inaccurate Host profiles, unreasonably long working hours etc., we will ask for details of other WWOOFers who have visited the host. We ask these WWOOFers about their experiences with the Host.
First complaint: We inform the member of the complaint, discuss the issues raised and request a reply in writing, and contact other members who have visited the host or hosted the WWOOFer for their feedback. If the complaint is verified, we will discuss changes that will need to be adopted by the member and, if appropriate, alter the member's profile for accuracy.
Second complaint: we inform the member again, discuss why this issue is still a problem and what can be done to resolve the problem, and warn the member that a third complaint will result in the membership being cancelled.
Third complaint: we will cancel the membership immediately.
SERIOUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING HEALTH AND SAFETY OR SEXUAL OR OTHER FORMS OF HARASSMENT
If we receive any serious complaint about health and safety or inappropriate behaviour, including sexual harassment, verbal or any other type of abuse, we will contact the member to inform them of the complaint and advise that their membership has been suspended pending resolution of the complaint.
The members profile will be immediately removed from the WWOOF Website and App. This may seem harsh; however, when there is a concern raised about health and safety or sexual harassment or abuse of any sort, we must err on the side of caution, as we have a duty of care towards our members.
At our discretion, we will contact members who have messaged the member to ask about their experiences with the member in question. If there are no messages in the members profile, the member will be required to provide a written statement of their version of events along with details of other members they have visited or hosted. We will then contact these members and ask about their experiences with the member.
If similar concerns are raised we will cancel the member’s registration immediately. If the complaint is resolved to our satisfaction, the membership will be reinstated.
If we receive a second similar complaint at any time in the future, the membership will be cancelled immediately.
NOTE: WWOOF cannot condone the breaking of State and/or Federal laws. WWOOF reserves the right to cancel a Hosts' or WWOOFers' registration immediately if we believe their actions may bring the name of the WWOOF program into disrepute.
Zero Tolerance Policy
If we receive a complaint regarding any sort of verbal or physical abuse, assault, sexual or other harassment, discrimination, or any other form of threat to health and safety, we reserve the right to immediately suspend membership pending review and possibly permanently revoke membership.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) allows visitors to Australia to WWOOF on Student, Visitor (formerly Tourist visa) and Working Holiday visas.
Work is defined by DHA as, "an activity that, in Australia, normally attracts remuneration". This means any activity that normally attracts payment, irrespective of whether you are paying money or giving some other kind of reward, (eg food and accommodation) it is still deemed to be work, particularly on a commercial farm. Volunteering is not considered work by DHA if it is for a not-for-profit entity, such as a hobby farm.
If you are going to offer "work" as defined by DHA you must ensure the WWOOFer has a visa that entitles them to "work". You can check this by ensuring their visa/passport is stamped appropriately. If they possess a Working Holiday Visa (WHV), 6 months is the maximum time they are allowed to work at any one establishment.
If you need to check on a WWOOFers visa there is a free, online facility, VEVO, that allows an employer to check visa entitlements of a non-Australian passport holders' visa. You need to register to use VEVO and will need the WWOOFers permission to check their visa details. You will need their: name, date of birth, passport number and passport country of issue.
IMPORTANT NOTE: DHA change the rules from time to time about what activities are allowed on visas, it is important to confirm with DIBP that the type of visa your WWOOFer holds does allow volunteering in exchange for food and accommodation.
Visitor (Tourist) Visas and Student Visas
- Visitor Visa - Tourist Stream (subclass 600) *see note below
- Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601), *see note below
- eVisitor (subclass 651),
- Student Visa,
On Visitor visas any work must be genuinely voluntary and must be work that would not otherwise be undertaken by an Australian resident and MUST be done for a Not-For-Profit entity, such as a Hobby Farm. If WWOOFers are entering Australia on a Tourist visa it is essential that they have Tourist style accommodation booked for their first few days, and have plans for tourist activities, WWOOFing must not be the main reason for their visit to Australia.
WWOOFers on Tourist visas who prearrange to stay on Commercial Farms can be refused entry to Australia as their visa conditions DO NOT permit work. If WWOOFers do prearrange any WWOOF Host visits, they must be Hobby Farms.In most cases WWOOFers on Tourist visas want to be doing something useful, learning about organics and permaculture and getting to know some real Australians.This is much better suited to the pace and lifestyle on non-commercial WWOOF Host properties, where they are generally treated as part of the family. They still have all of their meals and accommodation but the hours are generally less formal and as the property is not generating an income the Hosts are far less likely to be paying someone to help around the property.
There are a large number of non-commercial and hobby farm WWOOF hosts to choose from and the list search allows WWOOFers to select hobby farms when they search for a host. WWOOF Hosts can assist WWOOFers by ensuring they have selected the correct farm type on their WWOOF Profile.
Home Affairs say this about Visitor Visas - Tourist stream:
This visa lets you:
- visit family or friends
- be here as a tourist, for a cruise or for any purpose except business or medical treatment
You can study or train for up to 3 months in total on this visa. But if your main reason for travelling to Australia is study, a student visa might be more appropriate.
You can't work*.
*Volunteering is not considered work by Home Affairs, who define volunteering as follows:
Volunteer work is work that:
- is unpaid (you can be provided with meals, accommodation or out-of-pocket living expenses)
- would not otherwise be done by an Australian for pay
- is short term
- is incidental to your visit to Australia
- is done for a not-for-profit organisation
- benefits the community
The Visitor visa does not offer the wide scope of options that are available to those who are holders of First or Second Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visas which both permit paid work as well as volunteering.
WWOOFing (Volunteering) IS allowed on ALL Working Holiday Visas
The Department of Home Affairs say: “In recognition of the many legitimate and worthwhile agencies that employ volunteer workers to deliver valuable community services, Working Holiday visa holders will still be able to perform volunteer work should they wish to do so. The work will simply *not count towards eligibility for a second visa.” * Except in Bushfire Disaster Areas, see below.
Breaking News, February 2020
Bushfire Disaster Recovery volunteering now qualifies for 2nd and 3rd Working Holiday visas.
Following Blaze Aid and WWOOF Australia making representations to Government, on the 17th of February the Federal Government announced an initiative allowing volunteers in Bushfire Disaster areas to qualify for second and third Working Holiday visas.
WWOOF has developed WWOOF Volunteer Bushfire Relief Form in consultation with Border Force, for WWOOFers to use for their visa extension application, as confirmation of the volunteer work they have done. Border Force have approved regular WWOOFing hours of 4 to 6 hours a day, maximum of 38 hours in any 7 days for this purpose. Hosts need to fill this form in to confirm the type of help they have had and the dates the WWOOFer has stayed with them. Hosts must keep a copy of this form with their completed Guestbook page for each of these WWOOFers.
The main criteria for this volunteer work is that it has something to do with bushfire recovery, this can include all aspects of getting your farm back on track. There are links at the bottom of the WWOOF volunteer form to Border Force website and more information
Border force have also added extra types of construction work that will qualify as specified work:
Specified work in disaster affected areas
Construction work can be vital in helping regional disaster zones, such as those affected by flood or bushfire, to rebuild and recover from disaster. Working Holiday visa holders who conduct construction work in eligible regional areas of Australia following disasters can count the work as specified work.
Examples of construction work that qualify as specified work include:
- demolition of buildings, trench digging, land clearing and earth moving
- residential and non-residential construction or renovation/repair, including of roads, footpaths, bridges, parking lots, fencing, railways, dams, irrigation systems, sewage and storm water drainage systems.
Bushfire recovery work means work undertaken, including work undertaken on a volunteer basis, to assist with bushfire recovery efforts in an area mentioned including:
(a) construction, farming, or any other work in association with recovery or restitution of land, property, farm animals or wildlife; and (b) providing support services or assistance to people living, working or volunteering in the affected areas.
Bushfire affected areas
Bushfire recovery work carried out after 31 July 2019 in the postcodes listed on the Home Affairs website is eligible specified work for the purpose of a second or third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa.
For details, see:
STUDENT Visas
Student visa holders may volunteer for not-for profit (hobby farms) as for Tourist visas, or they can volunteer on commercial farms for up to 40 hours per fortnight as part of their paid work allowance.
For details see:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Home Affairs change the rules from time to time about what activities are allowed on these visas, it is important to confirm with Home Affairs that the type of visa you apply for does allow volunteering in exchange for food and accommodation. WWOOF does NOT have any influence over Home Affairs, and they do not advise WWOOF if they alter the Rules, the most current information is always on their website homeaffairs.gov.au
For more information, see the WWOOF visa PDF
Hosts Obligations
When registering as a Host, you agree and confirm that:
You are responsible for your own account security and you will not share your account details with any other person;
You will use your real name, address and contact details;
All other information you provide will be accurate and true;
Any WWOOFer you accept will genuinely benefit from the cultural exchange.
Treat all WWOOFers with consideration and respect.
As a registered Host, you acknowledge that:
You are using WWOOF Pty Ltd entirely at your own risk and we expressly exclude all liability for any loss or damage you, your family, your reputation, your business or your property may suffer as a result of using WWOOF Pty Ltd.
WWOOF Hosts must comply with the relevant rules and laws in your jurisdiction (if any) especially with regard to tax & insurance, Workcover, Occupational Health and Safety legislation, including the provision of all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
WWOOF is a worldwide movement linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchanges, helping to build a sustainable global community.
WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) started in England in 1971 when the first WWOOFers spent a weekend helping on an organic farm in exchange for their keep. The organisation was initially called Working Weekends on Organic Farms, but was changed to Willing Workers on Organic Farms after people asked “why only weekends?” Gradually WWOOF groups around the world changed this to World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.
Today there are over 55 WWOOF groups all over the world. All WWOOF groups are independent, but operate in a similar way, by putting people into contact with each other. Throughout the world the WWOOF philosophy is the same; WWOOF hosts provide food and lodging to travellers and students in exchange for between 4 and 6 hours volunteering per day.
Lionel Pollard began WWOOF Australia in 1981, and retired in 2000. 40 years on, WWOOF remains 100% Australian owned, managed and operated. The WWOOF Office was located in W Tree in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, East Gippsland in Victoria from 1983 until the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. The WWOOF Team closed the W Tree Office and moved to a Remote work model and continue to work form anywhere with a Team of four, two running the WWOOF program as well as a Webmaster and App developer.
WWOOF Hosts all over Australia were originally listed in the Australian WWOOF Book, which was updated and printed twice each year from 1981 until 2017. The WWOOF Australia App was launched in August 2015 and gradually replaced the WWOOF Book, with the final edition being printed in July 2017 due to a lack of demand.
In October 2017 the WWOOF Website platform was launched with Host and WWOOFer Profiles, Messaging, Forums, Noticeboard, Map and List searches and Availability Calendars for all members. In April 2018 an upgraded WWOOF App was launched to reflect the features of the WWOOF Website, allowing WWOOFers to also search for Hosts while they are off line. In 2020 the App and website had a major facelift and both platforms continue to be upgraded and improved to reflect the needs of members,
For contact details of WWOOF groups and information about WWOOFing in countries without a WWOOF Group, see WWOOF International.
Remote Work & Study Placements
Online or Distance Learning and Working Remotely is becoming the New Normal in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Hosts who are happy to Host WWOOFers and facilitate Distance/online study or Remote work, during WWOOFers free time, will open doors to long term WWOOFer placements, so WWOOF Australia has developed some guidelines for Hosts and WWOOFers to help them implement this. We have added a new searchable field in the Host Profiles so Hosts can select an option that suits them if they would like to invite WWOOfers to Study and/or Work from their property.
Students & Distance Learning
College life suddenly looks very different. Make the most of it, complete your online courses while you live and study from anywhere in Australia! Join WWOOF Australia, Learn to grow food & meet new people while you live on an organic farm, and get growing! All of your meals and accommodation are provided by Hosts in exchange for your help, so WWOOFing is a fantastic way to stretch your budget while you study.
Digital Nomads & Remote Workers
Do you work remotely? WWOOFing is an excellent way to take your work on the road and learn new skills on a farm while completing your computer work in your free time. Many hosts welcome digital nomads! With Wi-Fi, mobile phone coverage or Wi-Fi calling using the Internet and with good prior communication with Hosts, remote working on a WWOOF host farm can be an incredible experience! The perfect balance to working remotely on a computer is spending the rest of your day with your hands in the soil! Helping a farmer while working remotely can be a mutually beneficial relationship that can lead to learning new skills and developing lifelong connections.
For Hosts to offer opportunities for WWOOFers to study or Work Remotely they must consider ways that this can work on their property and ensure they have appropriate facilities and spaces to facilitate this. We believe the following guidelines will provide some assistance.
Guidelines for WWOOF Hosts offering Remote Work and Study Placements
Hosts must:
- Provide a private and quiet space for WWOOFers to use to study or work in their free time.
- Provide access to reliable Internet (unrestricted or unlimited if possible).
- Have mobile phone access or opportunities for Wi-Fi calling access via Internet.
- Negotiate flexible WWOOFing times that will facilitate the study or work schedule of their WWOOFers in their free time.
- Keep the lines of communication open to discuss any issues that may arise with scheduled online meetings, classes or lectures and arrange WWOOFing around these scheduled times.
WWOOFers will:
- Communicate prior to arranging a placement with a Host to ensure the Host understands the requirements of their course or work arrangements and agree on how this can be facilitated.
- Be prepared to negotiate their WWOOFing schedules to fit in with their Hosts needs and arrange their study/work times to fit their free time to the best of their ability, being sure to arrange with the host for any specific scheduled lecture/class/meeting times.
- Ensure they keep their work/study space clean and tidy.
- Ensure they make the agreed time available to spend volunteering as well as helping with meal preparation and or clean up.
- Keep the lines of communication open and discuss any issues that may arise with scheduled online meetings, classes or lectures and arrange their WWOOFing times around these scheduled times.
Hosting WWOOFing families & WWOOFers with their own accommodation.
As more Australian families and couples join WWOOF, many with their own campervan style accommodation, hosts are seeking guidance on offering a fair exchange to ensure both hosts and their WWOOFers are treated fairly and feel valued and respected.
WWOOF Dual memberships cover couples or friends traveling together as well as families with children under 18. We will discuss these separately.
Couples or friends WWOOFing together
In the case of couples or friends travelling together on a Dual membership and being accommodated by hosts, the normal WWOOFing arrangements apply, with each WWOOFer volunteering for 4 to 6 hours each day (with a maximum of 38 hrs in any 7 days) and, if possible, having 2 clear days off to spend exploring the local area, or relaxing. The number of hours varies from host to host and is relative to the quality of meals and accommodation provided. Hosts providing tent accommodation may only ask for a few hours help each day for example.
Couples or friends bringing their own accommodation
If WWOOFers have their own accommodation and the host is only providing them with a campsite, their meals, power, water, bathroom/laundry facilities, and perhaps Wi-Fi, we expect the host to negotiate fewer hours of volunteering as they will not be providing accommodation. This should always be discussed in advance with your WWOOFers to ensure you are on the same page and both parties are happy with the arrangement.
This will of course vary from host to host, if your WWOOFers would normally sleep in a tent and are therefore normally doing minimal hours, the hours may not change very much, but if your usual WWOOFer accommodation is 5-star luxury, then you may ask them to help you for 4 hours instead of 6 hours each day for 5 days in exchange for 7 nights stay on your property.
The main thing is to be fair to both the WWOOFers and to yourselves and be clear in communicating this with your WWOOFers in advance. Before your WWOOFers agree to come and help you they really have no idea of the conditions on your property, how hard they will be working or how well they will be fed and looked after. Make sure you do not undersell the benefits of the experience they will have there, the skills they may learn or the fun they may have with you outside of their time volunteering. Communicating that you look forward to welcoming and getting to know them, and that you appreciate their coming to help you reinforces the value in the whole WWOOFing exchange, as being so much more than just hours volunteered being exchanged for meals and board.
WWOOFing Families with children
In the case families travelling with a child or children on a Dual membership and being accommodated by hosts, the normal WWOOFing arrangements apply, with each adult WWOOFer volunteering for 4 to 6 hours each day (with a maximum of 38 hrs in any 7 days) and, if possible, having 2 clear days off to spend exploring the local area, or relaxing. The number of hours varies from host to host and is relative to the quality of meals and accommodation provided. Hosts providing tent accommodation may only ask for a few hours help each day for example.
Generally, we advise these WWOOFers to negotiate with their hosts in advance regarding any additional food they may need to contribute or some other way they may help the host out to cover meals for their children. Depending on the age of the children, they may like to be actively involved in WWOOFing alongside their parents, or with the hosts children. Younger children need to be supervised by their parents so WWOOFing times may need to be flexible and take this into account. It is also vital that you communicate any safety precautions they need to be aware of as farms can be dangerous places for children if they are not well supervised.
Families WWOOFing with children & bringing their own accommodation
If WWOOFing families have their own accommodation and the host is only providing them with a camp site, their meals, power, water, bathroom/laundry facilities, and perhaps Wi-Fi, we expect the host to negotiate fewer hours of volunteering as they will not be providing accommodation although they will be providing additional meals for a child or children. This should always be discussed in advance with your WWOOFers to ensure you are on the same page and both parties are happy with the arrangement.
It will also vary from host to host, just as for other WWOOFers, so if they would normally sleep in a tent and are therefore already doing minimal hours, the hours may not change a great deal, but if your usual WWOOFer accommodation is 5-star luxury, then you may ask them to help you for 4 hours instead of 6 hours each day for 5 days in exchange for 7 nights stay on your property. Again, older children may be keen to volunteer and younger children will need to be actively supervised by their parents; each family will be different. Again, make sure you communicate any safety precautions for their children.
The main thing is to be fair to both the WWOOFers and to yourselves and be clear in communicating this with your WWOOFers in advance. Before your WWOOFers agree to come and help you they really have no idea of the conditions on your property, how hard they will be working or how well they will be fed and looked after. It is important that they understand their time with you will be valued, and that they will have a rewarding experience as a family.
Do not undersell the benefits of the experience they will have there, the skills they may learn or the fun they and their children may have with you outside of their time volunteering. Communicating that you look forward to welcoming and getting to know them, and that you appreciate their coming to help you reinforces the value in the whole WWOOFing exchange, as being so much more than just hours volunteered for meals and board.
WWOOFers Shay & Dean produced a series about their time WWOOFing around Australia with their young daughter: here is the first episode: Hitting the Road – The Gathering Folk – Shay and Dean – S01E01
Are WWOOFers paid?
Hosts and WWOOFers undertake to support each other, as friends and extended family do.
WWOOF is a network of large and small organic, bio-dynamic and permaculture host farms and volunteers who help them.
COVID-19 Coronavirus information for WWOOF hosts
WWOOF Australia has written to the Government to request definitive information for Hosts and WWOOFers in regards to the legality of WWOOFers staying with Hosts. This is the response we have from the Minister for Agriculture. There is also additional information on the Department of Agriculture website.
WWOOF Farms are Essential Businesses and WWOOFers are Essential Volunteer Workers, helping secure Australia’s vital food chain during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
August 2021 Update
Tougher COVID restrictions have been announced in various states and we ask our Volunteers to make sure they fill in the correct paperwork for any permits required in their State or Territory, along with Essential WWOOF Volunteer Certification that both Hosts and WWOOFers must have filled in before travelling to a Host property. See the WWOOF COVID-19 Toolkit page for more information and links.
We recommend all WWOOF members comply with the current COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions that are in force in their State or Territory.
For up to date information on Border closures and permits required, see: interstatequarantine.org.au/state-and-territory-border-closures/ If you are in a State or area that is under strict lockdown restrictions, you will need to follow the current rules for the lockdown in your area. If you need to check, the COVID-19 Restriction checker may help.
We recommend all hosts develop their own plan for the COVID-19 Coronavirus. The situation and government advice is changing daily so hosts should keep up to date with alerts and restrictions and make their own decision about whether or not to invite WWOOFers. Take into account your family circumstances, health and your capacity to self isolate if anyone on your property becomes unwell. The Department of Home Affairs website has Information for visa holders about Staying in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
If you do invite WWOOFers, make sure you ask pertinent questions prior to their visit to ascertain the risk involved in inviting them. They may have been in Australia for a long time, or live in Australia, but this does not ensure they have not come in contact with the virus locally. Discuss your plan with your WWOOFers prior to their arrival and ensure they understand and agree to the precautions you wish to implement. Have an isolation plan in case you, a family member, or a WWOOFer becomes unwell after they arrive to minimise the risk of infection. Having a supply of hand sanitiser and face masks would be advisable.
All new arrivals in Australia (and sometimes also when crossing State borders) must now self-isolate for 14 days, as must anyone who shows symptoms or has tested positive, or is waiting for a test result for COViD-19. There are large penalties for not complying with these laws, which are different in each state.
Travel in some areas has been restricted to essential travel only, making it difficult for WWOOFers to travel to Hosts. In some cases Permits may be obtained to travel to farms as they are considered essential services.
If hosts decide they do not want to invite WWOOFers for the time being, we recommend blocking out their availability calendar as either booked or unavailable until they feel comfortable and safe inviting WWOOFers again. If hosts already had arrangements in place for WWOOFers to visit and need to cancel these arrangement, they should advise these WWOOFers as soon as possible to give them time to cancel their travel arrangements and find an alternative host or destination.
We recommend that if WWOOFers have any flu like symptoms, they have a COVID test, medical attention and self isolate immediately. We tell them that hosts will be very appreciative and understanding if WWOOFers contact hosts to cancel a planned visit to their property after being required to self isolate. We also ask them not to visit hosts if they suspect they may have come into contact with this virus, or have any symptoms.
The Australian Government Department of Health has prepared a Series of Coronavirus Resources including the following:
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Social Distancing
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information sheet for International Travellers
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) information about returning to your community
Anyone arriving in Australia from overseas will be forced to self-isolate for 14 days, Anyone showing symptoms, or who has been in contact with anyone who has tested positive must also be tested and self isolate for 14 days or until they have a negative test result. Many States within Australia have closed their borders, National Parks and many Camping Grounds have been closed.
Tourism Australia also has comprehensive COVID-19 Information for Travellers and Australians which is being updated daily.
If you are concerned you can call the National Coronavirus Helpline for information and advice about COVID-19. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
National Coronavirus Helpline. Call this line if you are seeking information on coronavirus. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.Tel: 1800 020 080
How do I pay to Join WWOOF as a Host?
If you pay by credit card your Account and Profile are active immediately.
If you pay by Bank Deposit (EFT), your access is restricted until your payment clears.
Does WWOOF Australia screen members?
Can I search for WWOOFers (volunteers)?
Communicating with WWOOFers.
Communication with WWOOFers
- When WWOOFers contact you to offer their help it is important to relay your appreciation to them for their offer of help. Even if you cannot accept their offer to volunteer for you, for any reason, it is vital that you answer all messages from WWOOFers, to let them know if you can or cannot host them to enable them to plan their time and offer to help other hosts if you can't take them. Some hosts end all emails or messages with the simple phrase, "Thanks for being a WWOOFer."
- Before your WWOOFers agree to come and help you they really have no idea of the conditions on your property, how hard they will be working or how well they will be fed and looked after.
- Many WWOOFers will ask you about what they should expect regarding the types of projects they will be involved in when they stay with you, what sort of structure you have in place for the hours they volunteer, is it a casual arrangement or do you begin at the crack of dawn or finish by lunch time each day so they can explore in the afternoons, do you offer them the opportunity to volunteer longer some days and have more free days to explore your area. When you are discussing volunteer hours and how you plan to structure WWOOFing on your property, the main thing is to be fair to both the WWOOFers and to yourselves and be clear in communicating this with your WWOOFers in advance.
- Make sure you do not undersell the benefits of the experience WWOOFers will have there, the skills they may learn or the fun they may have with you outside of their time volunteering. Communicating that you look forward to welcoming and getting to know them, and that you appreciate their coming to help you, reinforces the value in the whole WWOOFing exchange as being so much more than just hours volunteered being exchanged for meals and board.
- Ask WWOOFers what they are interested in learning about or doing while they stay with you and if possible let this guide your conversation and planning around they types of things you might ask them to help you with. WWOOFers who have never been on a farm before can find everything you do new and interesting and may have no idea of the myriad of different things they can learn about, your lifestyle will be full of surprises for them.
- If there are things you need WWOOFers to bring with them, be clear about what they will need and why, sunscreen, hats, gloves, work boots or sturdy shoes are all recommended for WWOOFers, but it is a good idea to remind them of this when you are in contact with them. Any specialized PPE needs to be provided by hosts, some hosts also keep a collection of work clothes and hats etc from the Op Shop in their WWOOFer quarters in case they are needed.
Tips for a rewarding experience.
Tips for fantastic WWOOFer visits
- Don't forget that WWOOFers are usually on holiday, they have chosen you to contact, and your unique part of Australia to visit, so let them know about the special places they can visit while they are there. They will have free time each day and a couple of days each week, this will give them plenty of time to see your favorite places, swim in your river, secret water hole or favorite beach or spend money in your local town.
- It can be very rewarding for WWOOFers to leave their mark on your property, so if you are planning a project that they can be involved in, perhaps you could let them name the project after themselves and make a plaque to commemorate it, such as "Jack's Chook Palace, 2021" or "Jane and Penny's Arbour 2020" Take their photo with their project as a memento and maybe even present them with a WWOOF certificate of achievement.
- Meals shared with WWOOFers are a great time to discuss your passion for what you do, your vision for your farm and to bring WWOOFers along on your journey. Ask for their ideas and experiences as consumers of organic foods for example and discuss how their choices impact what you grow. Their insights can be surprising and valuable, and what they learn from you can also have a far reaching impact on their future choices. Data has shown that on the whole WWOOFers tend to make different life and consumer choices after WWOOFing, once they have experienced the benefits of organic farming for themselves.
- Meal preparation and clean up is something that can be shared with WWOOFers, encourage them to cook their favorite meal for you, and if you love it, keep a record of the recipe. Some hosts have compiled amazing recipe books with their favorite WWOOFer meals, each recipe being attributed to the WWOOFer who cooked it with the date of their visit.
- When they have visited you, make sure you leave a Review for them and ask them to leave a Review for you. This will help their future Hosts in their decisions to invite these WWOOFers and will also ensure future WWOOFers have a taste of what it will be like to WWOOF with you. The better their experience on your property and their subsequent Review, the more your Host Profile will attract great WWOOFers, looking for similar experiences.
What if things don't work out?
Either party has the right to end the relationship if things are not working out. It is important to understand that many WWOOFers come from countries with different cultural ideals, so when you make contact with a potential WWOOFer, be sure to communicate very clearly what you would like the WWOOFer to do during their stay with you.
Sometimes, for whatever reason, the visit may not work out as expected. It may be miscommunication or unreasonable expectations from either party. Be honest and gracefully explain that it's just not working out and remember that the WWOOFer might need transport to a train station or bus stop, or need time to find another host. If you don't feel right, act on it immediately. You are not required to keep the WWOOFer on if it's not working out, but please assist them to move on and try to part on good terms.
WWOOF Australia has a Complaints Procedure which we take very seriously. Any arrangement or agreement you make is your responsibility. Please make sure you make the arrangement clear so that the WWOOFer has a good understanding of your expectations before they arrive.
What if WWOOFers have a pet with them?
It is perfectly acceptable for hosts to stipulate No Pets in their Host Profiles and refuse to take WWOOFers with Pets.
There is a tick box for No Pets please and also one for Pets welcome by arrangement. WWOOFers with pets can search for the hosts who welcome WWOOFers with pets on both the List and Map searches. As more Australians are WWOOFing, there are more WWOOFers asking about the possibility of bringing their pet along.
Always advise the WWOOFer that their pet is entirely their responsibility while on your property. They must ensure it is kept under control at all times, and they must always have a Hosts permission to bring their pet onto the property.
We have had an incident on a farm when a WWOOFer travelling with a pet dog allowed it off the leash and it was attacked by a working dog. This resulted in the pet being injured, unexpected vet bills, as well as the Host, the WWOOFer and the pet all being traumatised by the experience. The pet will recover, but this may have been avoided if the host had insisted the pet be kept on a leash and not had it in the same area as working animals. Pet dogs have also been known to chase chooks and cause grief for the Host and WWOOFer, so it is important to consider these issues carefully.
If you do not have any animals on your property and are happy to host WWOOFers travelling with a pet, tick the Pets welcome by arrangement box, but be very clear about setting ground rules to ensure everyone is clear about what is and isn’t ok. Make sure you warn the WWOOFer of any potential dangers to their pets, such as snakes, crocodiles, kangaroos who love to lure dogs into dams and drown them, etc.
How long is my host membership for?
How do membership renewals work?
Please note: If you change levels your previous level will end automatically and you will have 1 year on your new level (for example, change from Certified Organic to Non-certified or to Concession) Please contact us and tell us if you are changing level and we will ensure your membership is extended by one year from your original expiry date.
Even if your membership expires, you will still be able to renew at any time via this website, when you log in it will take you straight to the renewal page, as soon as your payment is received your WWOOF Profile will be back up and running, all your reviews, messages and favourites will be available again, unless you have deleted your profile, in which case you will need to re-join and set up a new profile. .
Privacy
WWOOF Pty Ltd. has embraced these principles as part of standard operating procedures. This means that all personal information received by WWOOF Pty Ltd. is dealt with in a uniform manner and with the highest regard for maintaining its security at all times.
If you are concerned our organisation may have handled your personal information inappropriately, please contact our Privacy Officer on (03) 5155 0218 or by email.
Full Privacy Policy
WWOOF Australia honours the ongoing cultural and spiritual connections, heritage, customs and beliefs of Aboriginal people, and pays respect to Elders past and present.
