Fruit Picking Jobs Australia: How to Find Work in 2026

Fruit picking jobs are open across Australia right now, from blueberries on the New South Wales coast to citrus in Queensland and the Riverland. If you’re on a working holiday visa, an Australian after seasonal cash, or a grey nomad wanting a change of scenery, farm work is one of the fastest ways to find paid work with a start date.

This guide covers what the work involves, how much you can earn, and where the jobs are this month.

What Fruit Picking Work Actually Involves

Fruit picking jobs cover a few different roles on a farm, and they don’t all pay the same way or need the same skills.

Picking is harvesting fruit off trees, vines or plants. Packing happens in a shed, sorting and boxing fruit by size and quality. Pruning is off-season work, cutting back vines or trees to prepare for the next harvest. Several regions run pruning work through winter, which is exactly what’s happening in Mildura and Griffith right now.

Piecework vs Hourly Pay

Most fruit picking jobs pay one of two ways.

• Hourly pay is a set rate per hour, regardless of how much you pick.
• Piecework pays per bin, bucket or kilo picked. Faster pickers earn more, slower pickers earn less.

Piecework can work in your favour once you’ve built up speed, but it’s tough in your first week while you’re still learning the movements. Some farms use hourly rates for training days, then shift new starters onto piecework once they’re up to speed.

How Much Do Fruit Pickers Earn?

Fruit picking jobs in Australia are covered by the Horticulture Award. For FY2026-27, the casual rate under the award is $32.18 an hour. That’s higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 an hour, reflecting the casual loading paid on top of the base rate.

Piecework rates vary by farm, crop and season, so there’s no single figure that applies everywhere. A grower has to pay at least the award-equivalent amount, even on piecework, but how much more you make depends on your speed and the crop. Be wary of any job advertising rates below these figures. Full pay details, including how piecework is meant to be calculated, are in our farm work pay rates guide.

Where to Find Fruit Picking Jobs

There’s more than one way to land a job. Most pickers use a mix of these.

Online Job Boards

Job boards like Farm Work Australia list openings by region and crop, updated as farmers post new positions. This is the quickest way to check what’s hiring in an area before you travel there. Browse all current listings or check regional guides for Bundaberg, Mildura and Coffs Harbour.

Working Hostels

Some hostels in farming towns have direct relationships with local growers and help arrange work for guests. It’s a reasonable option if you’re new to an area, but check reviews first. Some charge high accommodation fees against promised, but not guaranteed, work.

Direct Contact With Farms

Turning up in a harvest town and asking around still works, particularly in smaller regions where farmers don’t always post online. Visitor information centres and local supermarkets are good places to ask who’s hiring.

The Harvest Trail

The Harvest Trail maps out where seasonal work is happening around the country and when. It’s a good starting point for planning a route between regions as one crop finishes and another starts.

Why Facebook Groups Need Caution

Facebook groups for backpackers and farm work can be useful for tips, but treat job posts in them carefully. There’s no verification process, and some posts advertise pay or conditions that don’t match award rates. Cross-check anything you find against a proper job board or the farm’s own details before committing.

Where the Jobs Are This Month (August)

Fruit picking work is seasonal and regional. Here’s what’s active across the country right now.

Bananas, citrus and melons are all active somewhere in the country year-round, so there’s usually something on if you’re flexible about location. For a full breakdown by month, see our fruit picking seasons guide.

No Experience? Here’s What to Expect

Fruit picking jobs are one of the few paying jobs that don’t need a resume full of experience. Most farms train you on the day.

Your First Day

Expect a short briefing on how to handle the fruit without bruising it, how to fill bins or buckets, and where to take them once full. Supervisors usually check your work in the first hour or two to make sure you’re picking to standard, not just fast.

Physical Demands

This is outdoor, physical work. You’ll be on your feet for most of a shift, often bending, reaching or carrying weight, and working in heat depending on region and season. Good boots, sun protection and hydration make a real difference to how you cope.

Getting Faster

Speed comes with repetition. Most pickers notice a real jump in output after the first three or four days, once the movements become automatic. If you’re on piecework, don’t be discouraged by a slow first week. It usually turns around fast.

Does Fruit Picking Count for Your 88 Days?

Fruit picking jobs in eligible regional postcodes count toward the 88 days of specified work needed for a second-year working holiday visa. Not every postcode qualifies, and the work has to sit under an approved industry, so check before you commit to a job. Our 88 days guide covers what qualifies and how to track your days properly.

What to Bring

Pack for physical outdoor work in a region that could be hot, wet or cold depending on where you end up.

• Sturdy closed-in shoes or boots
• Wide-brim hat and sunscreen
• Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts for sun protection
• Work gloves
• Reusable water bottle
• Wet weather gear if you’re heading somewhere with a wet season

Find Fruit Picking Jobs Now

Fruit picking jobs are listed across Farm Work Australia by region and crop, so you can see what’s hiring before you travel. Browse all current jobs and start with whichever region matches where you’re headed next.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a fruit picking job in Australia?

Search job boards like Farm Work Australia by region and crop, contact farms directly in harvest towns, or check working hostels with local grower connections. Most fruit picking jobs don’t need prior experience or a resume.

How much do fruit pickers get paid in Australia?

Fruit picking jobs are covered by the Horticulture Award, with a casual rate of $32.18 an hour for FY2026-27. Some jobs pay piecework instead, based on how much you pick, but growers still have to meet award-equivalent pay.

Do you need experience for fruit picking?

No. Most farms train new pickers on their first day, showing you how to handle the fruit and fill bins correctly. Speed usually improves within the first few days on the job.

What is piecework pay for fruit picking?

Piecework pays per bin, bucket or kilo picked rather than per hour. Faster pickers can earn more than the hourly rate, but growers must still pay at least the award-equivalent amount.

Is fruit picking hard work?

Yes. It’s physical, outdoor work that usually involves long hours on your feet, bending and reaching, often in heat. Good footwear, sun protection and pacing yourself in the first week all help.

Does fruit picking count toward my 88 days for a second-year visa?

It can, if the job is in an approved regional postcode and falls under eligible industries. Not all postcodes or roles qualify, so check the requirements before starting a job you’re counting on for your visa.

Where are fruit picking jobs available right now?

In August, blueberries are picking around Coffs Harbour, citrus is active in Bundaberg and the Riverland, and pruning work is underway in Mildura, Griffith and the Barossa Valley. Check regional listings for current openings.