Fruit, vegetables and wine mean big business in Australia. This huge industry relies on casual workers who usually come in the form of backpackers looking to fund their travels! Keep in mind that the pay is pretty low and work isn’t easy, requiring some tough physical effort. What you will get though is an opportunity to see the beautiful countryside of Australia, and meet loads of like-minded, fun-loving travellers! Oh, and you’ll probably develop quite a nice tan too!
What kind of produce will I be picking/planting?
Due to its wonderful climate, Australia is absolutely bursting with fruit and vegetable crops along with hundreds of vineyards. The kind of work you will be doing will depend on where you are and what time of year it is! See below for more information:
When will I be able to work?
Australia’s enormous size and climate variety means that you could potentially stay in work throughout the year if you keep transferring between various harvests! The main harvest season falls between December and May but there is always some work to be found around the country!
Do I need to have experience?
All workers are given on-the-job training so you won’t be expected to have experience. However, don’t expect to have an easy time of it! You will need to be fit, enthusiastic and reliable. There’s a good variety of work to be done and there are jobs available for everyone, be they old, young, skilled or unskilled!
What kind of visa will I need to work in fruit picking?
You will need to get yourself a Working Holiday Visa. There are penalties both for you and your employer if you work without one of these so make sure you get one! Potential employers will request to see a special stamp in your passport which will let them know you’re eligible to work in Australia.
For more information check out our Visa page [link]
How much will I be paid?
Workers are normally paid by how much they pick, so expect to start gradually earning more as you learn the trade and your pace picks up! You can expect to start by earning around AUS$70, although some work such as pruning is paid at an hourly rate of around AUS$14.
What will I need?
You’ll need sunscreen, old clothes and sturdy boots!
How can I find a job in fruit picking?
The Harvest Hotline is a great place to start your job search, see below for the address. You could also try contacting potential employers directly as most rely on employing backpackers on a temporary basis to get their work done. Check out hostel notice boards and local newspapers for more job listings!
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