Fruit Picking Jobs In Brisbane [The Ultimate Guide]

Did you know you can do fruit picking jobs in Brisbane since you are there for a long holiday? 

Well, I am here to tell you, YES YOU CAN!

And while you are at it, you could meet people from different walks of life, enjoy the beautiful sceneries and make beautiful memories!

Since Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, multiple farms will provide you with a fruit picking job in Queensland. It is a one-of-a-kind experience and I am here to give you a full guide on how to make this the best thing you will ever do in your life!

In this article, we will be covering : 

  • Top Places In Brisbane For Fruit Picking Jobs
  • Where To Find Fruit Picking Jobs In Brisbane?
  • Why Pick Fruits in Brisbane? 
  • How Much Does Fruit Picking Pay?
  • How Much Do Fruit Pickers Get Paid In Queensland?
  • Can Fruit Picking Be Done By Anyone?
  • How Do I Know If I Am Eligible To Pick Fruit In Brisbane?
  • What Do You Wear To Pick Fruits In Brisbane?
  • Is There Accommodation Provided During Fruit Picking?
  • Useful Sites To Find Fruit Picking Job In Brisbane
  • Is Fruit Picking A Hard Job

So what are we waiting for? Let’s go pick some juicy fruits and maybe some yummy vegetables too!

DISCLOSURE
Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.

Top Places For Fruit Picking Jobs In Brisbane 

There are many places in and around Brisbane that offer fruit picking jobs. This is a list of certain farms that are hiring fruit pickers in and around Brisbane:

  • Smart Berries is hiring fruit pickers to pick freshly grown raspberries and blueberries on their farm.
  • Simon George & Sons is a family business that has been running the farm since 1964 and it is situated at Rocklea which is about 20 minutes from Brisbane town. Lots of fresh fruits for you to pick here.
  • Caboolture is also a place which is offering fruit picking jobs, specifically strawberries! This farm is located about 55 minutes away from Brisbane.
  • K.Yun Agricultural at Stanthorpe is offering fruit picking jobs in Brisbane.

Besides picking fruits, you can also get paid picking vegetables!

 These farms below are offering good money and some even provide accommodations that can help you save money while earning some!

  • Valley Pride Produce is a farm in Kalbar, Brisbane. They also provide accommodations!  On this farm, you may be required to pick coriander, beetroot, and even carrots!

Where To Find Fruit Picking Jobs In Brisbane?

Queensland Strawberries is a perfect place for you to browse and choose from 31 different farms which offer fruit picking jobs near Brisbane.

 Besides that, if you don’t want to feel lonely and are looking for a community you can connect with while fruit picking in Australia, this page provides you with just that. You can find jobs, accommodations, have meaningful discussions on their forum, and even transportation.

Related Posts :

Why Pick Fruits in Brisbane?

fruit picking jobs brisbane

There are many reasons why you would like to find fruit picking jobs near Brisbane. Amongst them are:

1.Great Way To Earn Money 

So go with me on this idea for a bit. You have come to Australia for a holiday for a certain period, but you have run out of cash because maybe you underestimated your budget and now require some extra cash. 

What do you do?

You find some fruit-picking jobs in Brisbane! Did you know there are about 1,350
agriculture farms
in Greater Brisbane and there are fruit picking jobs in multiple
farms in Brisbane which pays well so you can use that extra cash to visit the few
other extra states in Australia that you had in mind.  

2.Visa Benefits 

Fruit picking jobs in Australia are generally done as a means of extending your Australian working holiday visa for a second year and expanding your stay there. We will discuss in detail the visa below.

3.Beautiful Views

Imagine picking fruits whilst enjoying breathtaking scenery. According to an article written by Forbes, being outdoors helps to relieve stress and anxiety in addition to creating a more wholesome life.

4.Make New Friends 

Another perk of doing fruit picker jobs in Brisbane is creating new friendships.

If you are an introvert like me and need someone else to start a conversation with, this job will help you step out of your comfort zone and have meaningful dialogues.

How Much Does Fruit Picking Pay?

Salaries vary between farms. If you are doing fruit picker jobs in Australia, there are two ways by which you can get paid. You are either paid by the hour or by the amount of fruit you pick. 

The minimum wage for fruit pickers is said to be at AUD 25.41 ($18.43) per hour according to recent news by ABC where the Australian Workers’ Union(AWU) and National Farmers’ Federation discussion were broadcasted.

 But take note, it can average between AUD 12-AUD25($8.70-$18.13) per hour.

“Piecework rates” can help a fruit picker earn AUD45($32.63) per bin according to the National Farmers’ Federation which they think might be a better way to set the minimum wage for fruit pickers in Australia. Larger fruits normally get you paid more.

So it depends on the kind of farm you work at. Besides that, if you would like to know if you need to pay tax doing this job, check this out for further information. 

Tips On How To Get Paid More Fruit Picking

  • Firstly, learn which month produces what fruits and prepare accordingly. 
  • Watch the other pickers do their job and learn the best technique from them.
  • Check the weather forecast before choosing where to work so you are mentally prepared.
  • Pick big fruits and use both hands so that more bins will be filled faster.
  • Familiarise yourself with the techniques before heading over to the farm so you do not waste time trying to figure out how to pick them correctly.

How Much Do Fruit Pickers Get Paid In Queensland?

The Horticulture Award allows farmers to pay fruit pickers based on a piece-rate, how much fruits they pick, or an hourly rate depending on the farm you work at. They have set it at AUD 24.80 ($17.99) per hour.

Check out my article The Ultimate Guide to Fruit Picking Jobs in Queensland

Can Fruit Picking Jobs In Brisbane Be Done By Anyone?

  • Age: 18-30 years old
  • Education: Not necessarily needed
  • Health-wise: Physically fit
  • Prior experience: If you have prior experience, that will be beneficial for you. But if you don’t have it, then it is okay too as training will be given to you on-farm.
  • Skills: Of course you will be appreciated more if you have skills before the job application which you may check out here.

In addition, you must be able to work fast, carry heavy bags of fruit, or be bent over picking strawberries. Although you are paid minimum wages, there is a quota for each person and if you repeatedly do not meet the quota, you may be out of a job quite soon.

How Do I Know If I Am Eligible To Pick Fruit In Brisbane?

You can’t apply for fruit picker jobs in Australia if you are on a normal tourist visa. You would have to apply for a ‘First Working Holiday Visa. 

With this visa, you will be able to :

  • Stay in Australia for 12 months in which you can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you would like
  • You may work to subsidize your travel, but bear in mind, you are not allowed to work for any employer for more than 6 months. You may do specific work like fruit picking as a means of extending your visa and applying for the second Working Holiday Visa.
  • You are also allowed to study with this visa(maximum 4 months), if you are looking to study for a longer period, you may check out the student visa.

The requirements to apply for First Working Holiday Visa :

  • You must hold a passport from this country. 
  • You must be 18-30(inclusive) years old except for Canadian, French and Irish citizens who can be 18 to 35 years old (inclusive).
  • You must have not previously entered Australia on these two visas :
          – Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
            – Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
  • You must meet their health requirement and character requirement.
  • You must have enough money which is about USD5,000 for your initial stay, to support your stay and fare to where you are going after Australia. 

It will cost you AUD495($365.60) to apply for the First Working Holiday visa. 

If your passport is not stated there, don’t worry, you can still enter Australia and work by getting your hands on the First Work and Holiday Visa.

Requirements to successfully obtain this visa will be :

  • Hold a passport from this country
  • Be aged 18-30(inclusive) when you are applying.
  • You must have not previously entered Australia on these two visas:
  • Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
  • Working Holiday visa (subclass 417
  • You must meet their health requirement and character requirement.
  • You must have enough money which is about USD5,000 for your initial stay, to support your stay and fare to where you are going after Australia. 
  • You must apply from outside Australia. 

It will cost you AUD495($365.60) to apply for this First Work and Holiday Visa.

What Do You Wear To Pick Fruits In Brisbane?

  1. Wear clothing that you won’t mind getting stained because if you are picking berries, there are chances of it staining you. This Black statement t-shirt would be the perfect fit! 
  2. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect yourself from the sun and thorns!
  3. Wear comfortable shoes as there are chances you may be standing on your feet for long hours!
  4. You can also get these item which may help the fruit picking jobs easier.

Is There Accommodation Provided During Fruit Picking?

fruit picking jobs brisbane

Certain farms provide you with accommodation at the farm. 

Some may provide it for free, whereas some may charge you a certain amount of fee. You can check this community out for more details. 

If they don’t provide accommodation and you don’t have transport to travel back and forth from the city, you can choose to stay with random people who may offer their space to stay for free here

Useful Sites To Find Fruit Picking Job In Brisbane

  1. If you are looking to find a job and a community, you can check them out here.

2. You can check out these sites for the latest fruit picking jobs near Brisbane.

  1. Check out the Queensland Government site to find fruit picking jobs near Brisbane. 

Are Fruit Picking Jobs In Brisbane A Hard Job?

Just like how there are pros and cons for everything you do in life, fruit picking in Australia has it too and I will explain it further below. 

PROSCONS
Helps you extend your visaLong working hours with little breaks in between
Earns you an extra incomeYou might probably be in one posture for a long time
Helps you make new friendsWorking away from the city

Let me elaborate a little more. 

A fruit picking job is not the most glamorous job in the world and is probably not everyone’s cup of tea.

 If you are okay with working hard and for long hours for a short period, staying in a remote place for a few months and meeting new people besides enjoying the countryside, then I would say go for it! 

Related Posts on Fruit Picking Jobs:

Conclusion 

Fruit picking jobs in Brisbane are plentiful. 

Due to its vast space inland, there are many plantations, both for fruits and vegetables that need to be picked in each season. Fruit picking season usually starts in December and finishes in May. 

It is a good way to earn money while you are on a holiday to fund the extension of your holiday! 

Plus, good things normally come when you are out of your comfort zone right? So why not try this job while you are visiting Australia and make some new friends while you are at it?

Fruit Picking Jobs In Brisbane

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