Fruit picking is one of the most common first jobs for working holiday makers in Australia, and it can count toward a second or third visa year. It is hard outdoor work, and pay depends heavily on the crop, the weather and your speed. This guide explains the legal rules so you know what to expect.
Information checked: 24 October 2026.
Important: Fruit picking is generally not a route to employer sponsorship. We do not arrange harvest jobs.
What Fruit Picking Jobs Involve
- picking from trees, vines or ground crops;
- thinning and pruning outside harvest;
- packing and grading in sheds;
- driving tractors or forklifts if licensed.
Work often starts at dawn and depends on weather and crop readiness.
Which Visas Allow Fruit Picking
- Working Holiday (417) and Work and Holiday (462): for eligible young people. Picking in eligible regional postcodes is generally specified work for second and third year applications. See the official specified work page.
- PALM scheme: for workers from participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste, recruited through government-approved employers. See palmscheme.gov.au.
- Other visas with work rights, such as some student and partner visas, subject to their conditions.
Pay Rules
Pickers are usually employed under the Horticulture Award. Key points:
- you may be paid hourly or by piece rate;
- piece rates must be set out in a written agreement;
- since 2022, pieceworkers must earn at least the minimum hourly award rate for hours worked;
- casual employees receive a casual loading;
- deductions for accommodation or transport must be agreed in writing and lawful.
Check current rates with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
| Pay type | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| Hourly | The award classification and rate |
| Piece rate | The rate per bin or kilo, in writing |
| Deductions | A written agreement before you start |
Harvest Seasons
Seasons move around the country. As a rough guide: summer stone fruit and berries in the south, autumn apples and grapes in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, and winter citrus and vegetables in Queensland and the north. Check job boards for current needs rather than relying on fixed dates.
Requirements and Documents
- a visa with work rights;
- tax file number, bank account and superannuation details;
- sun protection, water bottles and sturdy boots;
- records of every day worked and payslips (essential for visa extensions).
Steps to Find Legal Picking Work
- Confirm the postcode is eligible for specified work if you want a visa extension.
- Search on Workforce Australia and state harvest boards.
- Ask for the employer’s ABN and, if a labour hire company, its licence where required.
- Get pay details in writing before travelling.
Pathways to Permanent Residence
Picking itself does not lead to PR. Some workers move into skilled agricultural roles (such as farm supervisor or manager) that may be sponsored, or into regions with DAMAs. Check the list of current labour agreements for employers with agreements.
Verification
Avoid offers that require upfront payment for a job or for accommodation before you see it. Report underpayment to Fair Work.
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 a Typical Day Looks Like
Fruit picking is outdoor, physical work. A typical day might look like this:
- an early start, often around sunrise, to avoid the hottest part of the day;
- a short briefing from the supervisor on which rows or blocks to pick and quality standards;
- picking into buckets, bags or bins, sometimes using ladders for tree crops;
- regular breaks for water and meals;
- an early finish on very hot days or when the day’s quota is reached.
Your earnings on piece rates depend on speed, experience and the quality of the crop. New pickers are often slower at first, which is why the minimum hourly rate guarantee for pieceworkers matters. Keep your own record of hours worked and units picked so you can check your payslips.
Tips for New Pickers
- Bring the right gear. Sun hat, sunscreen, long sleeves, gloves, sturdy boots and a large water bottle are essential.
- Pace yourself. Speed comes with practice. Focus on picking correctly first, because rejected fruit can reduce your pay.
- Look after your body. Stretch before work, lift with your legs and report injuries promptly.
- Ask questions. Supervisors prefer workers who check the quality standard rather than guess.
- Network with other workers. Fellow pickers often know which farms treat workers well and when the next harvest begins.
Accommodation and Transport
Many farms are in remote areas. Some employers or hostels offer accommodation, sometimes with transport to the farm. Before agreeing:
- ask for the cost of accommodation and transport in writing;
- check that any deductions from your wages are agreed in writing and lawful;
- read reviews from other workers where possible;
- make sure you are free to leave and find other accommodation if you choose.
Having your own car can give you more choice of farms, but budget for fuel, insurance and maintenance.
Keeping Records for Visa Extensions
If you are counting picking towards specified work for a second or third Working Holiday visa, keep copies of payslips, employer details (including ABN), dates worked and the location postcode. The Department of Home Affairs may ask for evidence, and missing records can cause problems with your application.
Tax and Super for Fruit Pickers
- Tax file number (TFN): apply online with the ATO before you start and give it to your employer. Without one, more tax can be withheld.
- Working holiday tax: working holiday makers (subclass 417 or 462) are generally taxed at 15% on the first A$45,000, if the employer is registered with the ATO to employ working holiday makers.
- Superannuation: your employer must pay super for you at the superannuation guarantee rate, 12% from 1 July 2025. Check your super fund account to confirm payments arrive. When you leave Australia permanently, you can apply for a departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP).
- Payslips: you should receive one within one working day of being paid.
Choosing Where to Pick
Not all picking jobs are equal. When choosing a farm or region, think about:
- Crop type: some crops, such as berries, are low to the ground, while others involve ladders or picking at height.
- Season length: a long season gives more stable income than a short burst of work.
- Accommodation and transport: check whether these are provided, how much they cost and whether costs are deducted from pay.
- Reputation: ask other workers about their experience and check how the farm advertises its work.
Signs of Exploitation
Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman if you are not given a written piece rate agreement, are paid below the minimum hourly rate for hours worked, have your passport taken or are charged excessive deductions for accommodation or transport.
Questions to Ask Before You Accept a Picking Job
- What crop will I pick, and what does a typical day involve?
- Is pay hourly or piece rate? If piece rate, can I see the written agreement?
- When does the season start and end, and how many hours a week are expected?
- What happens on days when rain or weather stops picking?
- Is accommodation provided, and how much does it cost?
- Is transport to the farm available?
- Does the work count as specified work for my visa?
Get answers in writing. If an employer will not give clear answers, consider looking elsewhere.
Labour Hire Licensing
Many pickers work through labour hire companies. Several states and territories, including Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT, require labour hire providers to be licensed. Check the relevant register before accepting work through a labour hire company.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I earn fruit picking?
It depends on hours and speed. The award guarantees a minimum hourly floor even on piece rates.
Does picking count for my second-year visa?
In eligible regional areas, yes, as specified work. Check the official list.
Do I need experience?
No, but speed improves with practice.
Is accommodation provided?
Sometimes, at a cost. Agree the terms in writing.
Can I be sponsored as a fruit picker?
Not through standard skilled visas.
What should I do if I am underpaid?
Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Summary and Next Step
Fruit picking is legal and accessible on the right visa, but pay varies and exploitation happens. Know your award rights, keep records and use official job sources.