Australian farms rely on seasonal and year-round workers for fruit, vegetables, grain, livestock and dairy. Overseas workers usually reach these jobs through a small number of visa programs. This guide explains them honestly, including which ones lead to permanent residence and which do not.
Information checked: 24 October 2026.
Important: We do not place workers on farms. Never pay anyone for a farm job or a “sponsorship”.
Types of Farm Work
- Horticulture: harvesting, pruning, thinning and packing fruit and vegetables.
- Livestock: cattle and sheep stations, shearing sheds and feedlots.
- Dairy: milking and herd care.
- Grain and broadacre: seeding and harvest machinery work.
- Skilled farm roles: farm managers, senior stockpersons and machinery operators.
Main Visa Routes
Working Holiday Maker visas (417 and 462)
Young people from eligible countries can work in Australia on a Working Holiday (417) or Work and Holiday (462) visa. Completing specified work (which includes plant and animal cultivation in eligible regional areas) can make you eligible for a second or third year. Rules differ for some nationalities, so check the specified work conditions.
The PALM scheme
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme lets approved employers recruit workers from nine Pacific islands and Timor-Leste. It is not open to other nationalities, and recruitment runs through participating governments, not private agents.
Employer sponsorship and labour agreements
Skilled roles such as farm manager or senior livestock worker may be sponsored under standard skilled visas if the occupation is eligible. Many lower-skilled agricultural roles are only accessible through labour agreements or regional DAMAs. The official list of current labour agreements shows which employers hold one.
Pay and Conditions
Farm workers are covered by modern awards, mainly the Horticulture Award and the Pastoral Award. Since 2022 the Horticulture Award guarantees pieceworkers at least the minimum hourly rate for the hours they work. Casual workers receive a casual loading. Check the current rates with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
| Arrangement | What to check |
|---|---|
| Hourly casual | Award rate plus casual loading |
| Piece rate | Written agreement and minimum hourly floor |
| Accommodation deductions | Must be agreed and reasonable |
| Sponsored roles | Income threshold and market rate |
Requirements and Documents
- passport and the correct visa with work rights;
- tax file number and Australian bank account;
- payslips and records of days worked (essential for specified work evidence);
- outdoor fitness, and for machinery roles, relevant licences.
Steps to Find Legal Farm Work
- Confirm your visa allows the work and, if relevant, counts as specified work.
- Search on Workforce Australia and state harvest job boards.
- Ask for a written agreement with the employer’s ABN.
- Keep every payslip and record.
Pathways to Permanent Residence
Working holiday visas do not lead directly to PR. Routes for farm workers include employer sponsorship for skilled roles (482 then 186), regional visas (494 then 191), and DAMA or labour agreement pathways where PR is allowed. PALM long-term workers have separate arrangements.
Verification
Check the ABN, the business name and any labour hire licence (required in several states). Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman if pay seems wrong.
Official Websites and Embassy Contacts (Australia)
Australian visa information is published by the Department of Home Affairs. Use these official pages:
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): subclass 186 page
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494): subclass 494 page
- SkillSelect: SkillSelect
- List of current labour agreements (including DAMAs): Home Affairs labour agreements list
- Current visa pricing: visa fees and charges
- Pay rates and workplace rights: Fair Work Ombudsman
- Labour market data: Jobs and Skills Australia
Embassy and office contacts: Most Australian visas are lodged online through ImmiAccount. Official contact options, including overseas offices, are listed on the Home Affairs contact us page. Do not rely on numbers or emails shared in social media groups.
How to Recognise Job and Visa Scams
Scammers target people who want sponsored work in Australia. Watch out for:
- Requests to pay for a nomination or sponsorship. Paying for a visa sponsorship is unlawful in Australia, and both the payer and the receiver can face penalties.
- “Guaranteed” 482 or 186 visas, or offers from employers who will not give an ABN or a business address.
- Pressure to hand over passport copies and bank details before any interview.
- Farm or packing jobs that pay “per bin” or “per day” with no written agreement and rates that appear below the legal minimum.
Check pay rights with the Fair Work Ombudsman, report scams to Scamwatch, and only use registered migration agents if you need paid advice.
What Farm Work Is Like
Australian farm work varies a lot by region and season. Depending on the job, you might be:
- harvesting or pruning in orchards and vineyards;
- working in packing sheds grading and packing produce;
- feeding and moving livestock on cattle or sheep stations;
- operating tractors or harvest machinery if you have the right experience and licences;
- doing general maintenance such as fencing and irrigation repairs.
Work often starts early and can be physically demanding in hot conditions. Remote stations can be hours from the nearest town, so living arrangements matter as much as the job itself.
Tips for Finding Good Employers
- Use official job boards such as Workforce Australia and state harvest information services.
- Ask other workers. Hostels and online travel communities often share experiences of farms and labour hire providers.
- Get everything in writing. Ask for your pay rate, award classification, hours and any deductions before you start.
- Check labour hire licences in states that require them.
- Keep records. Payslips, rosters and bank statements are important for your rights and any visa applications.
Safety on Farms
Agriculture can be a high-risk industry. Common hazards include heat, machinery, vehicles, chemicals and animals. Your employer should give you training and protective equipment. Drink plenty of water, use sun protection, and never operate machinery without proper training. Report injuries and unsafe conditions straight away.
Budgeting for Regional Work
Before moving to a farm area, budget for transport, accommodation, food and possible gaps between harvests. Some farms provide accommodation, but you should check the cost and conditions in advance. Keeping a savings buffer helps you leave a bad job and find another without financial pressure.
Tax, Super and Your Payslip
Before you start farm work, get organised with the basics:
- Tax file number (TFN): apply online through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Give it to your employer using a TFN declaration, otherwise tax may be withheld at a much higher rate.
- Tax rate for working holiday makers: if you hold a working holiday visa (subclass 417 or 462), your income is generally taxed at 15% on the first A$45,000, provided your employer is registered with the ATO as an employer of working holiday makers. You can check this on the ABN Lookup website.
- Superannuation: employers must pay super into your fund at the superannuation guarantee rate, which is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025. When you leave Australia permanently, you can claim your super through a departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP), which is taxed.
- Payslips: employers must give you a payslip within one working day of paying you. It should show your hours, rate, deductions and super contributions.
Specified Work and Your Second or Third Year
Working holiday makers can use eligible farm work in regional Australia to apply for a second or third working holiday visa. Generally, you need three months (88 days) of specified work for a second visa and six months for a third. Which work counts and which postcodes qualify depend on your visa subclass and are set out on the Home Affairs website. Keep payslips and records of your days worked, and make sure the employer pays you correctly: underpaid work can create problems with your evidence.
Seasonal Calendars and Planning
Farm work follows harvest and planting seasons, which vary by region and crop. Plan your moves around the season in each area, and line up your next job before one ends, so you avoid long gaps without income.
Questions to Ask Before You Travel to a Farm
Farms are often in remote areas, so it is worth checking the details before you spend money on travel:
- What is the start date, and how many weeks or months of work are expected?
- Is pay hourly or piece rate? If piece rate, can I see the written agreement?
- How many hours a week are typical, and what happens on days when weather stops work?
- Is accommodation provided? What does it cost, and is the cost deducted from pay?
- How do workers get from the accommodation to the farm?
- Is the employer registered with the ATO to employ working holiday makers?
- Will the work count as specified work for my visa, and in which postcode is the farm?
Ask for the answers in writing, such as in an email or message. Genuine employers are usually happy to answer.
Labour Hire Providers
Many farm workers are employed by labour hire companies rather than directly by farms. Some states and territories, including Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT, run labour hire licensing schemes, and providers in those areas generally must be licensed. Check the relevant state register before accepting work through a labour hire company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get sponsored for fruit picking?
Usually not through standard visas. Most pickers are working holiday makers or PALM workers.
Does farm work count for a second-year visa?
Plant and animal cultivation in eligible areas is specified work; check the official list.
Who can join the PALM scheme?
Citizens of participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste only.
Is accommodation free?
Rarely. Deductions must be agreed and lawful.
What is a piece rate?
Pay per unit picked, which must meet the award’s minimum floor.
Can farm managers be sponsored?
Yes, if the occupation is eligible and the employer is approved.
Summary and Next Step
Farm work in Australia is mostly accessed through working holiday visas and the PALM scheme. Long-term sponsorship is realistic mainly for skilled farm roles or employers with labour agreements.