Fruit Picking Jobs
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Fruit picking jobs and harvest work is carried out on farms throughout Australia. These are usually in remote locations, so don't expect a lot of nightlife or attractions during your time fruit picking. There’s likely to be a few basic shops and a pub or hotel a short drive away. Because fruit picking jobs are so remote, you're likely to need your own transport to get around. Most fruit picking jobs will come with accommodation (live on-site) so you are close to work, but your pay will be docked to cover the cost of rent. Luckily, nearly all fruit pickers are backpackers so it's a great time to meet new people and make new friends. If you’re lucky, you'll find yourself a great group to pick with that will make working much more fun. Here you'll find our latest fruit picking jobs. For more information, read our fruit picking FAQs, fruit picking seasons, fruit picking for the second year visa, harvest trail, tax and super.
Latest Fruit Picking Jobs
Most Recent Jobs
T&O Labour
New 2hr 49m ago
Coffs Harbour NSW Blueberry Picking Jobs for 2nd/3rd Visa Extension Eligibility.The berries season of plenty, and we want you to be a part of it.The harvest...
New 16hr ago
Blueberry season is approaching,we're recruiting blueberry pickers! Without rain, we work 7 days a week. If you feel tired, you can take a rest day. Work typically...
B&R
New 22hr ago
Coffs Harbour Blueberries Pickers.Enjoy your working holiday and apply now!Anyone who needs to work or complete the days for the 2nd and 3rd year VISA is...
Fruit Picking Job Alerts
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New 3d ago
WE ARE LOOKING FOR BLUEBERRY PICKERSIf you're looking for a farm job but afraid you won't be able to handle it. Don't worry it will not happen in blueberry Farm....
5d ago
Hello guys:)We looking for pickers, the season will start from July 2024 due January 2025.Able to Get 2nd & 3rd year Visas.- Working days : 5-6 days in a...
Ally
6d ago
Our target is "Play hard work hard!!! "Who want to join our team??Hello allThanks for finding me here!We are looking for picker who want to join our team...
6d ago
Our target is "Play hard work hard!!! "Who want to join our team??Hello allThanks for finding me here!We are looking for picker who want to join our team...
B&R
6d ago
Coffs Harbour Blueberries Pickers.Anyone who needs to work or complete the days for the 2nd and 3rd year VISA is welcome to join usLocation: Coffs...
13d ago
Hello guys:)We looking for pickers, the season will start from July 2024 due January 2025.Able to Get 2nd & 3rd year Visas.- Working days : 5-6 days in a...
19d ago
❗❗❗Blueberries sessions is coming soon❗❗❗❗Now we are looking for the pickers whose were interested in this job.This job is available in the mid of...
Sunny
20d ago
Winter Blueberry Picker RecruitmentWelcome for those who plan to complete their second and third-year visa in a place that is close to the ocean and nature (Coffs...
23d ago
Mandarin pickingMildura VIC 415517 of JulyMandarin piece work ( 80 dollars per bin) + top up.Call or txt 0402186665Many thanks
25d ago
Coffs Harbor NSWRaspberry/Blueberry Recruiting Berry PickersSeason Starts on After mid-July/Blueberry PickerIt is the easiest job for all farm workers to...
6mth ago
ORGANIC VEGETABLE FARM WORK – Family owned and operated Organic Small crops farm in the North Bundaberg area, QLD.- Hourly work @ $28.26/hr- Working up to 6...
Labour Solutions VIC
7mth ago
Join our dynamic team for farm work ,fruit picking and packing in Victoria!Secure your spot roles starting from 22nd January !About the roleVarious roles...
8mth ago
We have just finished the winter blueberry picking in Coffs Harbor, and now we are looking for summer blueberry pickers in Coffs Harbor, about 50 more people, expected...
9mth ago
Fruit picking available from December until late AprilPicking Apricots, Plums, Apples and PearsWork directly with the farmer.We are not Contractors or agents....
9mth ago
Picking and processing garlicHalf day in the field half a day in the packing shed8 hour days possible overtimeContract will start in mid NovemberOwn...
10mth ago
Cherry Season in Hobart and surrounds will kick off in Mid December! Now is the time to get a head of the pack and get your pick spot secured!These roles will be...
10mth ago
Current Work Available - Fruit Picking/PackingBlueberry Fields employs people from the local area as well as visitors from all around the world. We usually start...
11mth ago
Happy Independent motivated Ginger Pickers wanted to join our small farm.You Must be located on the Sunshine Coast to be considered as you will be required to...
1yr+ ago
To apply, follow this link to complete an application form: https://fpg.com.au/work-with-us/?ja-job=695555About usThe Fresh Produce Group has a range of...
1yr+ ago
Farmgate Backpackers is known as one of Queensland’s most reputable seasonal worker coordinators. We have a culture and reputation for providing well-paid work,...
1yr+ ago
Oz Group is recruiting Machine Operators to join our Packhouse Team. Multiple positions exist. These roles are full time, fixed term for 12 months.
1yr+ ago
100 Grapes PICKERS WANTED RIGHT NOW IN 2450 NSW• Location: Orange• Payday: Every Sunday – Account open on Monday and close on Sunday (7 days) every week....
1yr+ ago
We are looking for teams of enthusiastic people to take on the role of berry pickers for their commercial farm located in Longford , Tasmania.This is a busy job...
1yr+ ago
Start Work asap after news years✔️ Immediate start ✔️busy working hostel in bundaberg✔️ Your Farm Work/88 days, we can get you started working...
1yr+ ago
Looking for Experienced Fruit Packers for Busy Tomatoes , Capsicums , Sweet Potatoes , Lychees Packing sheds.Need to have own transport. Be available 5-7days a week.
1yr+ ago
We have casual positions available to cut clean and pack sugar cane for the juice market.
1yr+ ago
The FarmWolfe's Berry Farm is nestled in the foothills of Mt Wellington/kunanyi is where four generations of Wolfe family have grown quality small fruits.We are...
1yr+ ago
Strawberries are one of summer’s most iconic flavours, bringing back simple memories like tucking into freshly washed strawberries after a busy day at the beach. At...
1yr+ ago
AboutSituated in the rich, basalt plains of Mount Canobolas, Huntley Berry Farm is a lot more than just berries. Arm yourself with one of our buckets and between...
1yr+ ago
Looking for - Strawberry PickersLocation: Caboolture areaJob: Strawberry Picking,Season: available until Nov(After strawberryseason, you can go to the...
1yr+ ago
Hello,We are 2 French girls.We are very interested in this work. we want to apply. We are available now (November). We do not have accommodation or a car,...
1yr+ ago
LOOKING FOR BLUEBERRY PICKERS FOR IMMEDIATE START.ACCOMODATION AND TRANSPORT AVAILABLE.SEASON WILL LAST UNTIL APPROX MARCH, ONGOING WORK UNTIL THEN. THE WORK...
1yr+ ago
LOOKING FOR BLUEBERRY PICKERS FOR IMMEDIATE START.ACCOMODATION AND TRANSPORT AVAILABLE.SEASON WILL LAST UNTIL APPROX MARCH, ONGOING WORK UNTIL THEN. THE WORK...
1yr+ ago
HI, We are looking for Capsicum picker in Bundaberg-Workwork 5~7days per week (start 6 finish 1~2pm)-PriceGreen capsicum : $0.2/KgRed capsicum:...
Mackays Bananas
1yr+ ago
We are currently seeking banana farm and processing facility staff at Mackays Bananas in Tully, Far North Queensland, the banana capital of Australia.Positions...
Blueberry Greens
1yr+ ago
Blueberry PickersGet 2nd & 3rd year Visas ASAP, in friendly flexible family farm.Blueberry Picking / Packing Blueberry Greens is looking for 8-10 female...
1yr+ ago
LOOKING FOR BLUEBERRY PICKERS FOR IMMEDIATE START.SEASON WILL LAST UNTIL APPROX MARCH, ONGOING WORK UNTIL THEN. THE WORK IS PAID PER KILO. THIS IS AT FARMERS...
1yr+ ago
We have positions available for Capsicum's and Zucchinis Pickers .Pay rate is Piece rate with a guaranteed minimum hourly rate of level 1 Horticulture Award rate...
1yr+ ago
Hi everyone,We're looking for labour worker.Picking Strawberries or Tray man(When people bring strawberries to the tray, you weigh them and move them to the...
1yr+ ago
We are excited to welcome you our farm this 2022 season!!Crown Mangoes aims to bring fresh produce from the farm to the plate. Our aim is to provide sustainably...
1yr+ ago
Join the Manbulloo Mangoes 2023 team!!Manbulloo is an Australian owned and operated horticultural business which specialises in growing, packing, marketing, and...
2yr+ ago
ALADDIN (www.aladdin.rocks)We are accepting applications for BLUEBERRY PICKERS to join our Coffs Harbour blueberry operation.WORK ALL YEARWe have Winter...
2yr+ ago
✔️ Immediate start ✔️busy working hostel in bundaberg✔️ Your Farm Work/88 days, we can get you started working straight away!Big Tomatoes -...
2yr+ ago
Hiring for Strawberry picking in QLD!!We pick 4-5 days per week now and the amount of fruits are always increasing.Payment is by KG, current price $1-$1.5 per...
2yr+ ago
Olive Picking. The Olives are the size of Walnuts. $22 a crate (13kg). Can earn up to $50 for fast pickers. Have to clean the tree. Have to sick to your Row. Have...
2yr+ ago
?Caboolture Raspberry hourly/picking/packing jobs available------------------------‐------------------------The season begins from the middle of September until...
2yr+ ago
Currently recruiting 50+ berries pickers (starting from March 17th to November)Piece: $0.8 - $1.2 /punnent (125g)Location: Corindi Beach NSW 2456Work:Just pick...
2yr+ ago
Currently recruiting 50+ berries pickers (starting from March 17th to November)Piece: $0.8 - $1.2 /box (125g)Work:Just pick the berries and pack them in a box...
2yr+ ago
Fruit picking available from December until late AprilPicking Apricots, Plums, Apples and PearsWork directly with the farmer.We are not Contractors or agents....
2yr+ ago
Hi all,we looking for grape packer and picker right now season already started.-good conditon-friendly team-good salarygrape packing job only female
2yr+ ago
Looking for an energetic farm hand to carry out farm duties, must have a drivers licence as you will be operating a tractor. Majority of the farm work is tilling...
Fresh Produce Group
2yr+ ago
We're looking for people to join us for a huge Grape harvest season!* Work available now until May* Lots of hours - work 40-60 hours a week depending on weather...
Fruit Picking Information
Fruit picking is hard, manual work in very hot conditions, so prepare to put some blood, sweat and tears in no matter what fruit you end up picking. That said, there are definitely some fruit picking jobs that are easier on the body than others.
Oranges and mandarins are a good choice because they are large, so will fill your container quicker, and they’re light so you can carry a full bag without straining your back too much. Some orchard owners will also give you clippers so you can cut the stems without damaging the fruit. This will slow you down a bit, but it will prevent you from getting repetitive strain injury to your wrists from pulling the fruit.
FAQs
Is fruit picking hard work?
The short answer? Yes.
Fruit picking is physical labour, done for up to eight hours a day. You may need to spend a lot of that time standing, crouching, climbing or stretching, and because you're most likely to be paid based on how much you pick, you’ll need to keep up the pace if you are to earn well.
On the bright side, fruit picking is great for your fitness, and usually allows you to spend plenty of time outdoors!
How much money can you make fruit picking in Australia?
This depends on how you are paid: per hour or per piece.
An hourly rate will guarantee you are paid at least the minimum wage – currently around $22/hour – but puts a hard limit on how much you can earn.
It’s more common for pickers to be paid according to the amount of fruit they pick, called ‘piecework’. The piece rate is calculated in a way that ensures the average picker earns approximately the minimum wage. This means that the best fruit pickers can make double the minimum wage or more, but slow or beginner pickers often struggle to reach that minimum wage mark.
What are fruit picking pay rates Australia?
At around $20/hour (depending on your age and the job), Australia has the highest nationally regulated minimum wage in the world, meaning even the most entry-level of jobs gives you the capacity to earn relatively good money.
It should be noted that the minimum wage doesn’t strictly apply to fruit pickers though.
Fruit pickers are most commonly paid according to the amount of fruit they pick (measured either in number or in weight) – this ‘piecework’ rate is calculated so that the average picker will make minimum wage. If you are below average, you may make less than $20/hour. If you’re above average, however, you could earn far more!
What do you wear to do fruit picking?
What you wear fruit picking will depend on what, where and how you’re picking. Your outfit will need to adequately protect you from both the weather and the work. Any number of the following items may be required.
- Weather protection:
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Long sleeve shirt
- Pants
- Rain jacket
- Personal protective equipment:
- Gloves
- Steel-capped boots
- Hearing protection
- Safety glasses
- Respiratory protection
Do fruit picking jobs come with accommodation?
Farmers are not legally required to offer accommodation to their pickers, but because farms are generally located in regional areas with limited accommodation options, many will have on-site lodgings that pickers can use.
It’s important to speak to potential employers about accommodation before you lock in a job. Ask whether they have somewhere to stay on-site, whether you need to pay to use it, whether you can park your van or pitch your tent on the property, or whether the farmer has any recommendations for places to stay in the area.
How do I get a job fruit picking in Australia?
At the right time of year, finding harvest work can be quite straightforward. During peak season, there's plenty of jobs. It's important to make sure you are in the right location at the right time of year. Note; it can take about 5 days to find work successfully and you may need a few items (WiFi, Resume, Computer, Mobile Phone).
1. Do you research
Check the Harvest Guide to learn what produce is in season at what point in the year. The Harvest Guide will also help you discover which harvests are going on nearest to you.
2. Prepare your resume
Make sure you update your resume with all relevant experience and qualifications. Preparing an awesome cover letter is also a wise move and will save you time in the long run.
3. Search Backpacker Job Board
Check Backpacker Job Board daily. New jobs come in thick and fast and you'll want to be one of the first to submit your application. Keep an eye on the fruit picking and farm jobs categories for latest vacancies in this area.
4. Contact farms direct
Your final option is to contact farms direct to see if they are staffing their harvest teams. Choose farms which already have a positive online reputation and have all resume ready to email through.
What are the best fruit picking jobs in Australia?
Small fruits like berries and cherries often seem like a good option because they’re light and you strip a bush rather than having to move and climb a ladder to strip a tree. They can be problematic though - you have to be very gentle when stripping the plants and then place the fruit in your container slowly to avoid squashing them, which makes it a much slower process than more robust fruits like apples and pears.
Apples and pears are a fairly good option. They’re large enough to fill your container quick(ish) and you don’t have to worry about damaging them too much. Be warned though, carrying a full bag of apples down a ladder will be tough work on your back!
Fruits that are notorious for being hard work are bananas because you need to be strong enough to carry a whole bunch (we’re talking hundreds of bananas!) at once, and citrus fruits, which are covered in thorns.
Latest Fruit Picking Blog Articles
Read our latest blog articles on the subject of fruit picking and harvest work:
Fruit Picking Seasons - When & Where
Not every part of Australia has fruit picking seasons, so you’ll need to suss out where the most job opportunities are. New South Wales is probably the best place to pick fruit in Australia because it has a mixed climate that is suitable for growing a huge variety of fruit and vegetables. Because of this, you’ll be able to find picking jobs in New South Wales at any time of year.
South Australia is also a good place to fruit pick because of the ready availability of work, and if you choose to pick in the autumn/ winter months, you’ll be grateful for the cooler days!
There’s plenty of work available year-round in Northern Territory and Queensland but it is very hot in these states - particularly in the summer months - so the work can be very grueling!
Harvest Trail Australia
You can join the Australian Harvest Trail and follow the peak harvest seasons working with many different fruit and veg crops. The Harvest Trail runs throughout the year across all states and territories. Looking for a harvest trail job? Check our harvest season calendar for the latest peak crop.
You'll find full harvest season breakdown in our Fruit Picking harvest season calendar.
The fruit picking seasons run differently in each state because of the different climates. Just because it is apple picking season in one state does not mean that you’ll find apple picking jobs in another state. Generally, the fruit picking seasons run as follows:
Northern Territory
| Month | Harvest |
|---|---|
| February | Melons |
| October | Mangoes |
Queensland
| Month | Harvest |
|---|---|
| February | Apples, pears, grapes, melons and ginger |
| March | Vegetables |
| July | Ginger and onions |
| October | Peaches |
| November | Mangoes, lychees, bananas, plums, cotton and avocados |
| December | Sugar and bananas |
New South Wales
| Month | Harvest |
|---|---|
| January | Stone fruits |
| February | Apples, pears and grapes |
| September | Asparagus and oranges |
| December | Onions, stone fruits and blueberries |
Victoria
| Month | Harvest |
|---|---|
| January | Pears, peaches, tomatoes, tobacco and apples |
| February | Grapes |
| October | Strawberries |
| November | Cherries and berries |
South Australia
| Month | Harvest |
|---|---|
| January | Dried fruits |
| February | Apples |
| September | Strawberries |
| December | Apricots |
Tasmania
| Month | Harvest |
|---|---|
| February | Apples, grapes, peaches and brussel sprouts |
| March | Pears |
Western Australia
| Month | Harvest |
|---|---|
| January | Grapes |
| March | Apples and pears |
| April | Melons |
| May | Rockmelons and zucchinis |
| June | Tomatoes |
| July | Bananas |
| October | Mangoes |
Fruit Picking for the Second Year Visa
Fruit picking isn't the only way to earn your second year visa, but it’s the most popular 2nd / 3rd year visa job. Fruit picking jobs are easy to come across, aimed mostly at backpackers and are nearly always regional enough to count towards your second year visa (although you should still check the farm’s postcode). The process for earning your second year visa has changed recently, and now your approval is based on whether or not you can submit payslips with your application. This ruling means that volunteer working and WWOOFING no longer counts, so fruit picking jobs are becoming all the more popular for backpackers.
Regional Work Requirements
If you do intend to fruit pick in order to gain your second year visa, you need to make sure that you are filling all of the requirements. In order to be eligible you need to provide:
- 88 days of signed off work from your employer
- A bank statement covering the entire 88 days
- All of your payslips
- Tax returns
- An employer reference on an official letterhead
- Any travel tickets, accommodation notes or receipts in your name
Fruit Picking and Backpacker Tax
The tax part of your fruit picking job is very important for your second year visa. If you haven’t been paying tax, your application may be denied. If you are fruit picking for money rather than for your second year visa, you still have to pay tax. Your employer is legally obligated to deduct tax from your wages and pay it to the Australian Tax Office. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Because you are not an Australian resident, when you do leave the country, you are entitled to most of that money back. This can be a nice departing gift from Australia when it is time to leave! To claim your tax back, your first need to make sure that you were paid above board and legally, and secondly that you have a tax file number. It will be very hard to make your claim without payslips and a tax file number on record.
Fruit Picking and Superannuation
Superannuation tax refunds are not so frequent with fruit picking jobs because the threshold to be eligible is $450 earned a week. And, well, not many pickers earn that much! If you are one of the lucky ones, however, you will also be eligible to have this money refunded. You have to opt in to superannuation, but make sure you do because it’s a fantastic way to boost your cash flow on your way home or on to further travels. The average superannuation refund for backpackers is a whopping $3,380!