Fruit Picking in Australia
Seasonal jobs, harvest offices, rural work, fruit picking, fruit harvests, agricultural jobs, horticulture jobs, tomato picking, apple picking, Strawberry picking, seasonal work calendar.

Fruit Picking Jobs - OVERVIEW:
The quintessential traveller's employment; Backpackers fruit picking in Australia, no trip is complete without a stint fruit picking! In fact, it's possible to 'follow the fruit' and spend a year in this type of seasonal work, moving around the country according to where the harvests are, and there's lots to choose from. For example, if you're heading to Victoria between January and April, you can choose between pears in Ardmona, apples in Mooroopna or tomatoes in Ecucha in Victoria. You could be picking grapes in the Barossa Valley in South Australia. Mangoes in Katherine, in the Northern Territory. In other areas you may find yourself picking Strawberry, Flowers, Plums, Apple, Peach, Lemon and lots more fruits.

Fruit picking is hugely popular with travellers, so a great way to meet people as most employers will take on large numbers of backpackers during the season. And as a bonus, since November 2005, if you work in fruit picking in a rural area for three months or more, you can apply to have your work visa extended for another twelve months!

FRUITPICKING TASKS:
Fruit picking, along with Farming work for travellers, is probably the most physically demanding job available to backpackers. You may be picking from trees or pulling from the ground, so there's lots of bending and stretching. You'll also be out in the sun all day, so don't forget sunscreen and insect repellent, and take suitable clothing with you. You need to be reasonably physically fit to earn good money without running yourself into the ground.

LOCATION:
All states apart from ACT. Grab a 'Harvest Worker's Guide' or a copy of TNT mag, which tells you which crops are being harvested where and when, and call the Oz Jobs hotline (1300720126) for availability. There are also plenty of websites with seasonal jobs calendars. Most jobs are in pretty remote areas, so check out whether you'll need to provide your own transport, and possibly a tent or campervan. The plus side of this of course is the chance to see some of the 'real Australia', including beautiful countryside and colourful characters.

DURATION:
For as long as the harvest lasts for any particular crop, then you can move onto another crop elsewhere.

PAYMENT:
AU $8-18 on average, but usually piece rates based on the volume of crop picked. You can be paid daily, weekly or fortnightly. Some employers will provide meals & accommodation too. Make sure you establish all conditions, in writing if possible, before you start work. Also remember that fruit picking is reliant on the weather! and some crops can't be picked wet, so this might affect your wages for a short time.

MORE FRUITPICKING INFORMATION:
See: Fruit Picking Jobs or search the internet for Seasonal Fruit Picking. You may also be interested in Farming Jobs or check out our Australian Employment Guide for other options. If you are new to Australia be sure to see our Tourist Activity Guide, Transport Guide or Accommodation Guide.