The Career Pathways
In the horticulture industry forklift drivers are responsible for moving produce from trucks in and around the processing facility including into cold storage rooms and loading it back onto trucks before it goes to market.
Premium Fresh, Tasmania
Jason Hsu and Ashley Zhang
Q&A with Jason Hsu and Ashley Zhang
Can you describe your job titles and where you are working in Australia?
Jason: I'm Jason. I work as a forklift driver and a machine operator.
Ashley: I have multiple roles. I print tickets for every department in the processing room, and after that I move to the onion section, where I work as a grader and sometimes operate the onion packing line machine.
Ashley: I have multiple roles. I print tickets for every department in the processing room, and after that I move to the onion section, where I work as a grader and sometimes operate the onion packing line machine.
You’re on a working holiday as backpackers. What inspired you to choose Australia?
Jason: We wanted to experience a different way of life. Some of our friends had already done working holidays in Australia, and they told us it’s a great way to meet people from all over the world. That really made us interested in coming here.
Jason: My friend told me that on a working holiday, you can make lots of new friends and experience different cultures and environments. That’s why we chose Australia. This is our third year on a working holiday, and we’ve made so many friends from different countries—Argentina, Korea, Japan, Spain, France, and even from South America and the U.S.
Jason: My friend told me that on a working holiday, you can make lots of new friends and experience different cultures and environments. That’s why we chose Australia. This is our third year on a working holiday, and we’ve made so many friends from different countries—Argentina, Korea, Japan, Spain, France, and even from South America and the U.S.
The working holiday visa requires 88 days of regional work. Was that part of your decision to work in horticulture?
Jason: Yes, definitely. We needed to complete the required regional work to qualify for our second and third-year visas, so working in horticulture was the best option.
How did you end up working at Premium Fresh?
Jason: Before coming to Australia, we planned to work on a farm. Our first job was on a berry farm, but our work was affected by the weather since it was outside. A friend who was already working at Premium Fresh gave us their contact information. Working in a factory means we don’t have to worry about weather conditions.
You’re from Taiwan, right?
Jason: Yes. Ashley is from Taipei, and I’m from the south of Taiwan, but I studied at university in Taipei.
Did you have any experience in horticulture before coming to Australia?
No, none at all!
Can you describe a typical workday for each of you?
Ashley: It depends on our customers’ orders. Our main customers are supermarkets and various domestic customers and their orders change daily. We check the orders, decide which onions to use, and then start grading and packing.
Jason: Yes, different customers have different product standards, so we have to adjust accordingly.
Jason: Yes, different customers have different product standards, so we have to adjust accordingly.
What’s the most interesting or unexpected thing you’ve learned while working in Australian horticulture?
Jason: Driving a forklift! I had never done that in Taiwan. I had to get a forklift license here, which meant studying the rules in English. That was a new and interesting challenge.
Ashley: Operating the machines. Every day brings a new challenge, and I enjoy learning something new.
Ashley: Operating the machines. Every day brings a new challenge, and I enjoy learning something new.
How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Jason: It has improved my logical thinking and reaction skills. Driving a forklift requires me to stay focused at all times. If a problem arises, I have to fix it quickly.
Ashley: I feel the same way as Jason. My supervisor often gives me tasks that I need to complete within a short time, which has helped me work more efficiently.
Ashley: I feel the same way as Jason. My supervisor often gives me tasks that I need to complete within a short time, which has helped me work more efficiently.
Your friends recommended the backpacker experience to you. Would you recommend it to others?
Jason: Absolutely! We would definitely recommend Australia to our friends. You can learn so many new things, experience different cultures, and meet people from all over the world.
You’ve mentioned considering permanent residency in Australia. How has farm work helped with that?
Jason: Yes, Premium Fresh offered to sponsor us. They provide opportunities for us to learn new skills and gain the experience needed for visa applications. Now, they’re willing to support us with sponsorship.
Ashley: If you want to succeed, you have to work hard and do your best—not just in horticulture, but in any job. If you put in the effort and enjoy your work, you’ll have a great experience. Work hard, then play hard!
Ashley: If you want to succeed, you have to work hard and do your best—not just in horticulture, but in any job. If you put in the effort and enjoy your work, you’ll have a great experience. Work hard, then play hard!
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