Farm Work in Victoria

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Victoria's harvest season is concentrated but productive. Most picking work runs November to April, with February being the peak month. The Goulburn Valley and Murray River regions produce the bulk of the state's stone fruit, and Mildura's grape industry keeps workers busy well into winter with pruning.

The good news for anyone based in Melbourne: some of Victoria's best farm work regions are within a couple of hours' drive. And if you want year-round work, dairy farms in Gippsland hire throughout the year.

Harvest Calendar

Key Regions

Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley

Stone fruit central. The orchards around Shepparton produce a huge volume of apples, pears, peaches, plums and apricots. The season kicks off in November and runs through April, with February being the busiest month. Shepparton is about two hours north of Melbourne on the Hume Highway.

Mildura and Sunraysia

Mildura deserves special mention. Grape harvest runs February to April, then pruning work fills June to August. If you're willing to prune, Mildura can keep you busy for six months or more. The town sits on the Murray River, right on the SA/VIC border, so you can easily pick up work on either side.

Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula

The closest farm work to Melbourne. Both regions hire pickers for cherries, berries and wine grapes from November onwards. The work tends to be smaller-scale than Shepparton or Mildura, but the location is hard to beat if you want to stay close to the city.

Gippsland

Victoria's dairy country. If you want year-round work that doesn't depend on harvest seasons, Gippsland's dairy farms hire milkers, farmhands and general workers throughout the year. The work is physical (early starts, seven days on rotation) but consistent.

Pay

Most VIC picking jobs pay piece rates during harvest. The casual minimum is $30.91 per hour, but fast pickers on stone fruit and grapes can earn more. Cherry picking pays the best on piece rates, with experienced pickers earning $300 or more per day during peak weeks in December. Pruning work in Mildura is usually paid hourly or per vine.

For full details, see our farm work pay rates guide.

Getting Around

You'll need a car for most Victorian farm work. Shepparton, Mildura and Swan Hill are all accessible by V/Line train or coach from Melbourne, but getting between your accommodation and the farm each day usually requires your own wheels. The Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula are close enough to Melbourne that some people commute, though most workers stay locally during harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does fruit picking season start in Victoria?

The main season starts in November with cherries and stone fruit. It runs through to April with apples and pears. Grape harvest fills February to April, and pruning work extends the Mildura season into August. Dairy and vegetable work in Gippsland runs year-round.

Can I find farm work near Melbourne?

Yes. The Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula are both within 90 minutes of Melbourne and hire pickers for cherries, berries and wine grapes from November to April. For longer-term work, Shepparton is about two hours north.

What is grape pruning and how much does it pay?

Grape pruning means cutting back grapevines during winter so they produce better fruit the following season. It runs from June to August in Mildura and other grape regions. Pruning is usually paid hourly at $30.91 per hour or above. Some farms pay per vine for experienced pruners.

What are the best regions for farm work in Victoria?

Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley are the biggest for stone fruit. Mildura is the grape capital with work from February through August if you include pruning. Gippsland offers year-round dairy work. The Yarra Valley has cherries and wine close to Melbourne.

Heading south after Victoria? Tasmania has cherry picking from December. Or cross the border to South Australia for grape harvest in the Barossa and Riverland.

See the full harvest calendar or read our 88 days guide to plan your route.

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