What’s Picking Now in Australia: September 2026 Update

Mangoes are starting in Darwin. Blueberries are at their peak on the NSW North Coast. Citrus is still going strong in Bundaberg and Gayndah, though it’s got a limited run left. Here’s what’s actually harvesting across the country this month, region by region.

Harvest windows move every few weeks, so this page gets refreshed to match the current month rather than sitting stale. If you’re reading this later in the year, check the date at the top and look for our newer update.

What’s Picking Now: Quick Look

Queensland: The Busiest State Right Now

Queensland has the most activity on the ground this month. In Bundaberg and Wide Bay, growers are picking sweet potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, mangoes, avocados, citrus, and macadamias. This region runs work year-round, but the run from April through December is its busiest stretch, and September sits right in the middle of it.

Bowen and the Whitsundays are into tomatoes, capsicums, melons, and mangoes, with the region’s biggest volumes landing between May and November. If you’re after steady hours through spring, this is a good bet.

Up on the Atherton Tablelands, bananas, avocados, mangoes, and sugarcane keep going all year. It’s one of the few regions where you’re not chasing a narrow window.

Down south, Childers and Gin Gin are finishing their citrus, avocado, and lychee season, which runs March to September. If you want in on this one, you’re right at the tail end.

Ayr and Home Hill have sugarcane and melon work through to November, and Gayndah and Mundubbera, known as Australia’s citrus capital, are still picking citrus with a season that runs to October.

Northern Territory: Mango Season Is Starting

The mango run is the big story in the Top End this month. Darwin and Humpty Doo kick off their mango season in September, running through to December, alongside year-round work in bananas and Asian vegetables. This is one of the earliest and most reliable mango windows in the country.

Katherine has melons, mangoes, and citrus on offer through to November. Nationally, mango season across Queensland, the NT, and Western Australia runs September to December, so the next few months are the time to be near one of these regions if mangoes are your target crop.

Western Australia: Getting Ready for the Rush

Carnarvon is picking bananas, tomatoes, and chillies right now, with mangoes joining the mix from October. If you arrive early, you can pick up work before the mango rush brings more competition for jobs.

Kununurra and the Ord River have melon and mango work running May to November, alongside sandalwood. Both regions are worth watching as the season builds through spring.

South Australia: Citrus and Vegetables Tick Along

The Riverland (Renmark, Berri, Loxton) is past its peak, which runs January to June, but citrus, grapes, and almonds are still in the ground year-round. Virginia and the Northern Adelaide Plains keep vegetable and almond work going regardless of season, which makes it a solid backup if a peak region dries up on you.

New South Wales and Victoria

Coffs Harbour and the North Coast are in the middle of blueberry season, which peaks from August through December. Bananas and macadamias run alongside it through to February. This is one of the strongest windows on the east coast right now.

In Gippsland, dairy work and vegetable picking continue year-round, offering something steady if you’re not chasing a specific fruit season.

National Crop Snapshot for September

Citrus and avocados are the two crops closing out soon. If you want in on either, don’t leave it too long.

Where This Fits with Your 88 Days

Most of the regions above sit in postcodes approved for the second-year visa. Picking, packing, and general farm work in these areas can count towards your 88 days, as long as the job and postcode both qualify. Confirm the postcode before you book transport or accommodation.

Following the harvest usually means moving between two or three regions across the year rather than staying in one spot. Our harvest trail guide lays out a rough route based on when each region peaks.

Where to Find These Jobs

If you’re heading to any of the regions above, our guides cover what to expect on the ground:

• Bundaberg farm work guide
• Atherton Tablelands farm work guide
• Coffs Harbour farm work guide
• Carnarvon farm work guide

You can browse current listings on all jobs or let us match you to something based on your location and visa on find a job match.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is picking now in Australia?

In September 2026, growers are picking mangoes in the Northern Territory, citrus in Bundaberg and Gayndah, blueberries around Coffs Harbour, and melons in Kununurra and Katherine. Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and macadamias are also being harvested in parts of Queensland.

Is this guide updated every month?

Yes. Harvest windows shift through the year, so we update this page to reflect what’s actually picking in the current month rather than leaving old information up.

Where is mango season happening right now?

Mango season is starting across Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia, with the main run from September through December. Darwin and Humpty Doo are ramping up first.

What farm jobs count towards my 88 days right now?

Specified work for the second-year visa needs to be in an eligible regional postcode and industry, such as fruit picking, vegetable harvesting, or general farm work. Check our postcode checker before you commit to a region.

How much does farm work pay in September 2026?

The national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour. Casual work under the Horticulture Award sits at $32.18 an hour. Piece rates also apply on many farms, so your actual earnings depend on how fast you pick.

Which crops are wrapping up soon?

Citrus season around Childers, Gin Gin, and much of the country runs through October. Avocado season across Queensland and Western Australia also finishes around September, so those windows are closing.