A WWOOF Host must be growing or producing organic products

1. All WWOOFers are issued with a WWOOF Book, which is their proof of membership. WWOOFers are required to provide proof of ID to you, together with their membership book on arrival. YOU MUST SEE THEIR IDENTIFICATION. If their ID does not match the name on the book, you have the right to refuse them access to your property, or assist them to join WWOOF (see #3 below). The insurance that WWOOFers receive, as part of their membership, is only applicable to registered WWOOFers while on a registered WWOOF Host property. Also note which type of Visa if they are from overseas.

2. You are entering into a venture where you are accepting total strangers into your home. To safeguard both Hosts and WWOOFers, we require Hosts to keep a Guestbook and ask WWOOFers to sign it and record their Membership number & visa type and the dates of their visit. A sample guest book page is available from the Host Resources page on our web site.

3. When WWOOFers do not have a membership book, please ascertain the reason. Contact us and we will arrange their membership or replacement of lost book etc. A membership costs $60.00 as at 30/06/10. We will send their book to them, and you send their fee to us, less $10 to help cover your costs, either by paying over the phone with a credit card, by EFT or sending a cheque.

4. The most important experience for WWOOFers will be the chance to ask about your farming/gardening methods and problems ‑ please be patient and available by working with them whenever possible. You must show them how equipment works to avoid breakages and injuries.

5. We ask that you try to provide a variety of jobs ‑ even if they are very basic. To some people they maybe a totally new experience. Please try to include WWOOFers in the whole routine of your business ‑ do not isolate them. Working alone or hoeing out weeds for 4 hours can be boring and tedious.

6. WWOOFers appreciate being told what the anticipated work pattern will be so they can organise their free time. The book tells them they should expect to do 4 to 6 hours of farm/gardening work in exchange for a days food and board (depending on factors like season, workload, quality of your input and their output, quality of their accommodation, etc). The hours can be flexible so the WWOOFers have free days but you must discuss this with the WWOOFers, along with the types of work & working conditions, days off, etc upon initial inquiry so there are no misunderstandings after the WWOOFer arrives. Long term WWOOFers need to be given days off regularly, if possible a 5 day work schedule in 7 days is preferred maximum of 42 hrs per 7 days. Housekeeping must not be the primary work given to WWOOFers. Hospitality work, waiting tables, cleaning rooms in a B&B and childcare are not appropriate types of work for WWOOFers

7. Most Hosts provide accommodation in a spare room in their home, and the WWOOFers eat with the family and take a share in the chores. However you may not have a spare room ‑ so a caravan, cabin, tent or a self-contained dwelling are acceptable alternatives, but please make it clear in your entry and at booking which it is. It is a good idea to ask the WWOOFers about any special diets on initial inquiry. If you do not cater for special diets, then by clearing this up initially, you will be avoiding problems later.

8. Accommodation should be hygienic, as should food preparation areas. Food & bedding should be adequate, especially if dealing with travellers from warmer areas than yours. Food should be fresh and organic where possible. Inadequate and dirty accommodation, bedding and food are WWOOFers main complaints.

9. Hosts are Ambassadors for Australia. It is important in the spirit of cultural exchange, to treat all your WWOOFers as one of the family and assist them to receive suitable medical treatment if necessary.

10. Many WWOOFers are using public transport. Hosts who want to get the most out of the program need to be prepared to pick up WWOOFers from the closest terminal at a mutually arranged time.

11. Abusive language, inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment of any kind will not be tolerated! If we receive complaints of this nature, your entry will be removed from the book (see Complaints Procedure).

12. WWOOF reserves the right to refuse to list a Host or to remove a Host from the book as we see fit. We also reserve the right to edit entries as is necessary. As long as your entry gives clear and accurate information you should have no problems. Good communication is the key!

13. WWOOFing is strictly voluntary. Hosts must be fully aware of the different regulations governing holders of Working Holiday and Tourist visas. See www.immi.gov.au  and for up to date information

14. Hosts will not involve WWOOFers in any project involving the use of chemicals, i.e. herbicides/pesticides etc.

 WWOOF reserves the right to amend/update these guidelines as required.