One of the most common ways for backpackers to make money while travelling in Fruit Picking Jobs in Australia 2026. Fruit picking is a great way to make money for your travels and see the Australian countryside. There are many jobs available all over the country, from picking strawberries in sunny Queensland to picking apples in Tasmania. You can also work on dairy farms or help pick cotton in the outback. These jobs are a great way to pay for your travels and even meet the visa requirements for staying in Australia for a long time. Let’s look more closely at some of the different kinds of fruit-picking jobs you can get and what they involve.
Opportunities for fruit picking in Australia
There are many opportunities for Fruit Picking Jobs in Australia 2026. The country exports billions of dollars worth of goods every year, from tropical mangoes in the north to berries in the south. Farms need reliable workers more than ever due to changing weather and global demand. If you’re looking for “seasonal work in Australia,” fruit picking is a great option because it’s flexible. You can work for a few months, travel, and then pick up another job.
- The way of life is a big draw. Imagine this: After a long day of work, you can camp under the stars or go to the beach nearby. It’s a long way from the desk jobs I had back home. Australia has wages often higher than the minimum wage, helping cover living costs.
- If you have a “working holiday visa Australia,” these jobs count towards visa extensions, which means you can stay for up to three years. More visa options are becoming available in 2026 as the world recovers from the pandemic. To make sure there is enough food, governments are pushing for skilled and unskilled workers to work in agriculture.
- If you want to get a visa, many farms participate in programs that help workers from other countries find jobs that locals can’t. You get work experience, and Australia gets fresh fruit for its stores.
- The time of year when people pick fruit in Australia can vary significantly due to weather and temperature changes. The picking season, on the other hand, usually runs from December to May. Picking fruit is hard work, so you must be in good shape and healthy. You should be ready to spend the whole day outside, most of the time in the hot sun.
Rates of Pay and Benefits
Most fruit-picking jobs in Australia pay between $20 and $30 an hour, but some pay by the piece (per bucket or bin). Under piece rates, pay varies widely depending on how fast you work and how much experience you have. Beginners might make less than minimum wage, while experienced pickers can make $200 to $300 or more a day during the busy season.
- The minimum hourly wage for casual workers in Australia is about $27 to $29 (including casual loading). Recent changes mean that piece-rate workers must be guaranteed to earn at least this amount.
- Pay can change depending on where you are, what kind of fruit you pick, and what time of year it is. During peak harvest times in major growing areas like Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia, the best-paying jobs are often available.
Fruits of Different kinds
Australia has many different fruits that can be picked year-round in each state. Some grow on the ground and others grow on trees. Some are easier to pick than others. Here is a quick list of the most popular fruits.
Cherries
People say that picking cherries is easy and pays well. You usually choose the cherries into buckets and then dump them into crates. Picking fruit from trees often requires using ladders, which can make this picking more difficult.
Apples
You can pick apples with just your hands, but you have to be more careful about how you do it. After you like them, put them in a bag around your waist, then throw it away when it’s full. It’s normal to have sore shoulders after the first few days, especially when your bag is full. You will often have to climb ladders and walk between the trees on the ground to get to and from the buckets where you empty your bags of fruit. Be careful, because some apples are easily marked, and the farmer usually checks the fruit’s condition before signing off on the load.
Fruits with citrus
Picking oranges and lemons is quick once you learn how to do the “twist” move that lets you choose the fruit without tearing off the skin. Depending on the farm, you will either use bags or buckets, then dump your load into bins. It is easier to cut the stem of a mandarin flush with the fruit with a small pruner. Watch out; these trees often have thorns!
Strawberries
Picking strawberries is harder on your back because you have to bend down to get them from the plants that are on the ground. That said, the bike often used on these farms does make things easier for you. On some farms, you will be on your bike with a small table in front of you. On the table will be your empty crates that you fill as you go. You can pick your strawberries while sitting down and not hurting your back by pedalling up and down the aisles of plants. Isn’t that smart?
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Peaches and mangoes
Picking mangoes and peaches is hard because the plants release a liquid that can trigger allergies in some people. You might have itching, pimples, or even swelling in areas like your hands, face, and shins. Wear gloves and long sleeves or long trousers to protect yourself as much as possible.
Bananas
It’s hard to pick bananas because they grow in bunches that can get very heavy. If you don’t like bugs like spiders, you shouldn’t like bananas either. It’s not unusual to run into small (or big) animals in these fields, like snakes. People use machetes to pick these fruits, so be careful not to hurt yourself again.
How to Apply for Fruit Picking Jobs in Australia 2026
It’s easy to find Fruit Picking Jobs in Australia 2026. Job boards like SEEK, Indeed, and Jora are a good place to start. They all have sections for jobs that are friendly to visa holders. Use search terms like “visa sponsorship fruit picking” to narrow down the results. Sites for backpackers, like Backpacker Job Board, focus on these kinds of jobs and usually include housing. There are job postings on LinkedIn from farms seeking candidates from other countries. Harvest Trail is a government website that shows job openings by region and season. Send an email or fill out an online application with your CV, visa status, and availability. A lot of farms do interviews over video call. Emphasise your flexibility and eagerness.