The Ultimate Guide to Fruit Picking Jobs in Queensland
Are you looking to find fruit-picking jobs in Queensland but you aren’t sure where to start?
You’ve come to the right place!
Fruit picking is a fan favorite among backpackers because it allows them to travel and earn at the same time, therefore they minimize their overall expenses when traveling. It also gives them a chance to explore the country and make new friends along the way.
If you plan to go on a backpacking trip to Australia be sure to consider fruit picking jobs around the country as jobs for fruit picking are available all year round – and can be helpful with keeping your budget in check during your travels too.
In fact fruit picking in Queensland can be particularly helpful with your traveling expenses as not many countries offer non-citizens casual labor options.
In addition to this, accommodation is usually provided either free of charge or with a minimal fee which helps you save a lot more in the long run especially if you intend to travel for a long time.
Here’s a summary of everything you’ll find:
- How To Apply For Fruit Picking Jobs in Queensland?
- All The Best Fruit Picking Jobs In Queensland
- Ayr, Queensland
- Atherton, Queensland
- Bundaberg, Queensland
- Bowen, Queensland
- Stanthorpe, Queensland
- St. George, Queensland
- Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Emerald, Queensland
- What Is Fruit Picking?
- What To Consider When Looking For A Fruit Picking Job?
- The Requirements For Fruit Picking Jobs in Queensland?
- How Much Do Fruit Pickers Get Paid In Queensland?
- What Are The Work Hours and Working Conditions Like?
- What Is The Easiest Fruit To Pick?
- How To Find The Best Place For Fruit Picking?
- Are There Any Scams You Should Look Out For?
- Life at the Farm – Accommodation and Getting Around
A quick tip: Pick a location that is currently harvesting a particular fruit or crop during the time you plan to go and get in touch with them to find out if they have an opening available at the time of your travels.
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. I hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.
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- How to Travel the World and Make Money – Best Travel Jobs
- Fruit Picking Jobs in Melbourne ( A step by step guide)
How To Find A Fruit Picking Job in Queensland?
It can be quite tedious to find the right websites or contacts for farm jobs in Queensland, Australia.
For example, a common site used to find fruit picking jobs in Queensland is Gumtree, but not all jobs are available.
There are different methods you can try but it’s best to try a few different ways to maximize your reach and increase your chances of securing a decent job.
Also it is important to learn about the harvest seasons based on the different regions in Queensland so that you don’t waste time and can target these locations to increase your chances of securing a job.
Contact: 1800 062 332
Contact: 03 5021 3472
Contact: 08 9376 2800
Fruit Picking Jobs in Ayr, Queensland
May to June & September to December
- Melons
May to November
- Tomatoes
November to December
- Mangoes
Contact Information
Fruit Picking Jobs in Atherton, Queensland
January to December
- Bananas
February to June
- Avocados
March to July
- Custard Apples
Contact Information
Fruit Picking Jobs in Bundaberg, Queensland
January to December
- Vegetables
- Berries
March to July
- Citrus
March to September
- Macadamias
May to June & October to December
- Melons
April to August
- Avocados
April to December
- Tomatoes
December to February
- Mangoes
Contact Information
Fruit Picking Jobs in Bowen, Brisbane
May to June and September to November
- Melons
May to November
- Tomatoes
November to January
- Mangoes
Contact Information
Fruit Picking Jobs in Stanthorpe, Queensland
January to April
- Grapes
September to December
- Stonefruit
October to May
- Vegetables
- Strawberries
November to May
- Apples
- Pears
December to May
- Tomatoes
- Capsicum
Contact Information
Fruit Picking Jobs in St. George, Queensland
March to June
- Cotton
June to March
- Grapes
October to December
- Vegetables
November to April
- Melons
Contact Information
Fruit Picking Jobs in Sunshine Coast, Queensland
February to May and September to October
- Pineapples
February to March, May, and August to October
- Ginger
March to April and July to November
- Strawberries
April to June
- Custard Apples
Contact Information
Fruit Picking Jobs in Emerald, Queensland
March to May
- Cotton
March to September
- Citrus
April to December
- Melons
May, June, and October to December
- Grapes
Contact Information
What is Fruit Picking?
Fruit picking is an umbrella term used globally that describes all manual work related to the agricultural industry – all including fruit picking, wrapping, pruning, or any other agricultural work-related to fruits or vegetables.
There are different types of fruit picking, most of which depend on the fruit itself, its size as well as its color.
We’ll explain the types of fruit picking jobs there are under the umbrella term, including the picking itself, pruning, packing, thinning, weeding, and planting for you to choose from when you are ready to look for fruit picking jobs in Queensland.
- Picking
There are several types of fruit picking jobs in Queensland that you should know about depending on the type of fruits and their respective requirements.
For example, selective picking is where you only pick a fruit of a certain color (indication of ripeness) or a certain size (size picking). This will usually result in smaller quantities being picked up and can affect your wages if you are paid by the yield.
Mass harvesting on the other hand is usually carried out at the end of the harvest period whereby almost all the fruit produced by the tree will be picked up and only the fruits that are damaged will be removed.
- Pruning
Pruning takes place after the harvest, a process that is crucial before the next harvest comes along. This process often takes place in late fall or winter so working conditions can be a little harsh because of the cold or rain.
Despite that, pruning is a job that pays quite well as you will be taught how to cut trees so that it grows best, and will require a lot of time outdoors as you learn how and which branch to cut for optimal growth.
- Packing
Packing is exactly what it sounds like – sorting and packaging fruits and vegetables after they have been harvested. Similar to working in a factory, you will either work standing or sitting depending on the fruits and vegetables you will be working with.
These jobs are not advertised a lot and are less tiring but the only downside is that over time, this task can feel very monotonous and repetitive which can take the fun out of the job after a while.
- Thinning
Thinning is the process of unloading the trees before the harvest season by removing the smallest fruits for the rest to grow. This is a task that requires a lot of patience and can therefore pay a little more than your traditional fruit picking tasks.
- Weeding
Usually done by hand or with a spade, you will be asked to weed fields or vegetable gardens before, during, or after the harvest season to minimize competition for the growing plants.
This job can be very tiring and difficult as you would be required to walk a lot, work under the sun and in some places, work with a lot of flies so make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before signing up!
- Planting
Planting varies depending on the plant, whether it’s fruits or vegetables, and is often done manually although some bigger plants may require a tractor to do the planting.
It brings together several tasks, some of which may require more physical effort than the rest, especially if you are required to plant larger trees.
What Are Some Of The Most Picked Fruits And Vegetables In Queensland?
The crops differ with every season and a variety of vegetables and fruits can be found all year round in Queensland. Being one of the country’s biggest suppliers of fruits and vegetables, farm work in Queensland can vary from sugar cane and fruits to cotton in different parts of the state.
Common fruit picking jobs in Queensland usually involve fruits like bananas, pears, citrus fruits, peaches, plums, mangoes, and apples.
Strawberry picking in Brisbane is quite popular but apples are one of the most popular jobs for fruit picking because of their availability all year round so maybe that’s a good fruit to start with.
What To Consider When Looking For A Fruit Picking Job?
When looking for a fruit picking job in Queensland, be sure to take the seasons and regions you wish to explore into account.
This is because in Australia, as the seasons change, so will the type of harvest as certain types of fruits and vegetables only grow in certain seasons or temperatures. With different seasons, different regions are also affected so it’s best to do your research beforehand!
Check out this website to find out more about various locations and their harvest during different times of the year in Queensland.
The Requirements For Fruit Picking Jobs in Queensland
As with any other jobs, there are certain documents that are crucial to ensure you can secure a fruit picking job in Queensland, but if you’re not a native of the land down under, the most important thing you will need to get a job is your Visa.
If you fall into any one of the following criterias below, you won’t need a Visa:
- Australian citizen
- Australian permanent resident (PR)
- New Zealand citizen with a Subclass 444 Visa
This is because you already have permission to work in Australia and you won’t require any travel related documents for you to work in Queensland.
However, if you’re neither of the following, you’ll need to get a Visa before you go and we’re here to show you how.
If you are between 18 and 30 years old and are from the following countries, you can apply for the Working Holiday (Subclass 417) Visa in order to get a fruit picking job in Australia.
- Belgium
- Canada
- Republic of Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong (including British National Overseas passport holders)
- Republic of Ireland
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport)
- The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
If you’re not from one of these countries, don’t worry! You can always try applying for the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) in order to find a fruit picking job in Queensland.
Check if you meet the eligibility requirements here. It’s important to note that you will be required to have a certain amount of money [approximately AUD 5000 (USD 3694) ]in your bank account before you head to Australia.
This is to ensure you can support yourself and have enough to depart from Australia at the end of your stay. If all the criterias are met, all working holiday or work and holiday visas can be renewed twice, which comes up to about 3 years.
How Much Do Fruit Pickers Get Paid In Queensland?
Salaries can vary based on where you are located and the kind of crop you will be harvesting. It also depends if you will be paid every week, per hour, or according to yield and performance (basket, tray, or tree).
Payment would normally range from AUD 12 (USD 9) to AUD 25 (USD 18) an hour with an average of AUD 15 (USD 11) an hour which is the minimum wage depending on your job scope and its difficulty.
However, you have to make sure that you are not underpaid or paid below the minimum wage ofAUD 15 (USD 11) in Australia to avoid being scammed.
Wages are also usually paid weekly, fortnightly, or monthly and can be made via bank transfer, cheque or cash so it’s best to get all your payment details before you start working.
Be sure to get proof of payment as well (payslip) to ensure that your wages are paid accordingly.
On the other hand, another important factor to note before taking on a fruit picking job is that the minimum wage in Australia can also depend on the age of the worker. If you are older, you will most likely receive more than a younger worker, even if you’re both doing the same job.
The hourly rate is also higher if you work at night (after 6 pm) or if you’re working on public holidays.
What Are The Work Hours and Working Conditions Like?
Work Hours
High productivity is usually expected when the harvest is ready especially during the end of the harvest season.
Some may require you to work for 6 to 7 days a week or less depending on how many workers they have and the amount that needs to be harvested.
The working conditions may vary from farm to farm and with the seasons but it is common to work for at least 7 to 8 hours a day starting from 7 am to 8.30 am and finishing around 3 pm in areas with higher temperatures in the afternoon.
Working Conditions
The working conditions for fruit picking jobs in Queensland can be repetitive and exhausting, often putting your physical fitness to the test.
Somedays, you’ll be on the ground picking, and some others, you’ll probably be on a ladder with your arms working in the sky or on your knees cleaning. In fact, It’s no easy task, but rewarding in the long run.
It is crucial to know that a job like this will require a good form of physical condition and will require a lot of strength and endurance on your part.
You will have to deal with difficult climates, really cold or really hot weather or various climatic changes in between seasons during fruit picking in addition to all the physical work you’ll be doing, so mental strength is key too!
If you’re worried you’re not built for farm work, you shouldn’t! Not all farm work will require strength like Hercules, and not all will have to be done outdoors. Make sure to find something you know you’ll enjoy as there is something for everyone in this line of work.
What Is The Easiest Fruit To Pick?
Cherries have a great reputation for being one of the easiest fruits to pick when in season.
You won’t need too many tools besides your hands and a bucket for you to empty into crates later on.
Cherries can be collected in large amounts in a short amount of time but can sometimes be tiresome as you will need to sometimes go on ladders to reach the high-hanging fruits which can make it difficult and tiring if done for a long time.
How To Find The Best Place For Fruit Picking?
There isn’t a particular place or farm or town that is specifically best for fruit picking. However, you will find some areas that are better known for fruit picking because they employ more workers consistently throughout the year.
Some of the better-known locations include:
- Mildura
- Shepparton
- Bundaberg
These locations are usually packed with backpackers which is often not a good thing if you’re looking to find work that pays well instead of friends. These places will also most likely have lower wages and are probably lined with scammers that can be risky.
A good tip to finding the best place for fruit picking in Queensland is to find a location that is further away from the coast and avoid famous or popular areas. You can also look for fruit picking jobs in Cairns or try fruit picking in Brisbane for more options.
This is because jobs can be quite limited and workers are often needed in these off- the map areas. The wages will likely be higher and better too without much (people) to compete with. More money, more honey for you right? 🙂
Related Posts on Fruit Picking Jobs:
- A Guide To Fruit Picking Jobs In Scotland
- How To Find The Best Grape Picking Jobs In France
- Guide On How To Find Fruit Picking Jobs In UK
Are There Any Scams You Should Look Out For?
Yes, there are and you should always, always keep an eye out for them when traveling and looking for a temporary job overseas.
Make sure you know what the minimum wages are and learn about your rights as a foreign worker before accepting a job in the fruit picking industry.
With fruit picking, a common scam that happens a lot is when farmers offer you accommodation and work, given that you pay them a down payment first before you even arrive at the farm. You will then be asked to transfer the amount requested via bank transfer or Paypal.
If anyone tells you to do this when you’re looking for fruit picking jobs, make sure to stay away!
On the other hand, some scams involve working hostels that offer you a fruit picking job in Queensland, which is often legit but can sometimes be dangerous so you should find out in great detail about what they are offering you before making a booking at these places.
Life at the Farm – Accommodation and Getting Around
Accommodation and Food
It’s generally easier to find a job if you have your transportation and accommodation.
However, if you don’t have any of these, look out for backpacker hostels or caravan parks where you can park your campervan while you work at the property or in nearby areas.
Some of the places you can check out include:
- Backpackers of Queensland
- Summit Backpackers Hostel
- Caloundra Backpackers
- Beach Hostel Mooloolaba
- Farmgate Backpackers
Caravan Parks:
Some farms may offer their employees basic facilities like cooking facilities, and simple household appliances like a washing machine and dryer but will most likely be on a sharing basis.
Be sure to inquire about the facilities that are provided in advance so that you can plan accordingly before your trip.
As for food, in most places, you may be required to cook your meals as you will be isolated from the city or nearby towns.
Be sure to ask your employer about where you can stock up on supplies and if they provide a shuttle into town for you to get your necessities.
If they don’t and there aren’t any public transportations going into town, you can maybe catch a ride with some of the other employers who have a vehicle and split the cost among yourselves so that you’ll never run out of supplies.
Conclusion
Voila! We hope this ultimate guide to fruit picking jobs in Queensland has helped you with finding the right places, look out for the right things and the related sites and agencies to assist you with finding the best fruit picking job there is for you in Queensland.
All the best!