The Best Locations for Your Australia Farm Work

Looking to extend your Working Holiday Visa for a second or third year? Completing your regional work is key, but knowing where and when to find jobs makes all the difference.

Australia’s agricultural hotspots offer the most opportunities, with work varying by season and location. From fruit picking in Queensland to vineyard jobs in South Australia, choosing the right region can enhance your experience while meeting visa requirements.

⚠️ Since July 2024, UK passport holders can be granted up to three Working Holiday Visas for Australia without having to meet any specified work requirements. Read more on: FTA between Australia & UK

Best Places to Find Farm Work in Australia 🌾🇦🇺

Australia offers plenty of farm work opportunities, but where you go depends on the season and type of work you’re looking for. Here are some of the top regions for agricultural jobs:

✅ Queensland 🍍🌱 – A prime spot for fruit and vegetable picking year-round. Jobs in the sugar cane industry are also common.

✅ Victoria 🥛🍇 – Known for its dairy farms, as well as fruit picking and vineyard work in the state’s wine regions.

✅ New South Wales 🍊🐄 – A diverse range of farm jobs, including fruit picking, dairy farming, and poultry farming, available throughout the year.

✅ Western Australia 🌾🐑 – Opportunities in dairy, grain, and livestock farming, plus seasonal fruit picking during harvest periods.

✅ South Australia 🍇🐏 – Famous for its orchards and vineyards, along with dairy and sheep farming opportunities.

📍 Wherever you choose to go, planning around the seasons will help you secure the best farm jobs in Australia! 🚜

The Fruit Picking Map

Are you looking for a job in Fruit Picking? Get free access to more than 400 farm contacts via our interactive map.

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There are agricultural regions that are better known because they employ more workers throughout the year. The disadvantage is that these areas are often packed with backpackers. The best way to find a good Fruit Picking job is probably to go away from the coast and avoid “popular” areas. Workers are more sought after in these regions, but then again, there is also less work.
Before starting a job, make sure to check that the kind of work and the region are eligible for your Second Year Visa.

Map of the Best Locations for your Farm Work in Australia

Atherton Tablelands, QLD

Up near Cairns in Far North Tropical Queensland, the Atherton Tablelands is home to a wide range of Australia farm work opportunities. The Atherton Tablelands, with its cooler climate, is ideal for avocado and banana picking, offering work almost year-round. Atherton Tablelands is around 90 kilometres south-west of Cairns.

🥑 Fruits/veg to pick: Avocados make up a large part of the harvest, as well as mangoes, citrus, bananas and sugarcane.

📅 Best season: Work is available mainly during the hot summer months between December and March. 

Bowen, QLD

Just north of the Whitsundays, Bowen is a quiet town—until picking season kicks off in May! Then, the area comes alive as backpackers flood in, eager to complete their farm work.

🍅 What to Pick: A wide range of crops, including mangoes, zucchinis, tomatoes, corn, and capsicums.

📅 Best Season: The harvest season begins in May and lasts for an extended period, as different crops ripen at different times—offering plenty of job opportunities throughout the season.

Ayr, QLD

Just up the road from Bowen, the town of Ayr is smaller and more compact, but just as busy when the picking season hits. Here too, most of the accommodation is provided by hostels that also work as sub-contractors to outsource the Australia farm work to backpackers.

🍅 Fruits/veg to pick: Huge diversity of crops from mango and zucchini to tomato, corn and capsicum (similar to Bowen)

📅 Best season: The season in Ayr is similar to Bowen. Start trying to find work from around March.

Stanthorpe, QLD

In south Queensland lies the small town of Stanthorpe. Not much to do there, but perfect if you are looking for a fruit picking job!

🍎 Fruits/veg to pick: This place is famous for its apple production. With over 30 different varieties grown in the region, apples here are big business, so if you don’t mind climbing ladders, this is probably the spot to head.

📅 Best season: The season is running from February to June.

Griffith, NSW

Griffith, in the Riverina region of New South Wales, is famous for its vineyards and citrus fruit farms. It’s an excellent place for backpackers to find work pruning vines or harvesting grapes and oranges, particularly from February to April.

🍇 Fruits/veg to pick: Grape, citrus and stone-fruit.

📅 Best season: The grape season starts around mid-February and lasts for six to eight weeks.
The citrus harvest runs from November until March.

Mildura, VIC

Located on the banks of the Murray River, Mildura is a prime location for vineyard work and citrus fruit picking. The region’s warm climate means there’s almost always work available, with peak seasons in the Australian summer and autumn months.

🍋 Fruits/veg to pick: Citrus, grapes and vegetable production.

📅 Best season: At most times of the year someone somewhere needs something picked!

Tamar Valley, TAS

Down in Tasmania, it really is all about the cherries and the berries. This fruit is picked right across the island, but perhaps most popularly in the Tamar Valley.

🍒 Fruits/veg to pick: Cherries and berries.

📅 Best season: The season runs during the summer months between December and February, when it’s warm enough to be down here!

Margaret River, WA

Besides being a famous tourist destination for its surf and wines, Margaret River provides opportunities for vineyard work and dairy farming. The wine harvest season from March to May is the busiest period for backpackers seeking farm work.

🍇 Fruits/veg to pick: Mainly grapes.

📅 Best season: The season has two main highs – June to September is the pruning period and February to April is the grape picking time.

Huon Valley, TAS

Tasmania’s cooler climate is perfect for apple picking, with the Huon Valley being a prime location. Apple harvest season runs from February to April, but there’s also work available in cherry picking during the summer months.

🍎 Fruits/veg to pick: This place is famous for its apple production. Apples here are big business here and the perfect spot to pick all varieties.

📅 Best season: Apple harvest season runs from February to April.

When Is the Best Time to Find Farm Work in Australia? 🌱🌍

Farm work availability varies by season and location, so it’s essential to research the area before heading there to find a job. Weather conditions can also impact harvest times, making flexibility key.

🍇 In Southern Australia (Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales), the peak harvest season runs from November to February, when demand for farm workers is highest.

🌴 In Northern Australia (Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia), the tropical climate allows for year-round opportunities, though certain crops have specific harvest times.

📅 The best way to plan your farm work is to check the Australian Fruit Picking Calendar or consult the National Harvest Labour Guide (available online).

How to Find Farm Work in Australia?

There are different ways to approach employers, either by phone or by contacting farmers in person. Download our Backpackers guide to access the contact details of over 400 farms.
If you have a vehicle, the best way to find a job during the harvest season is to go from door to door and ask.
You can also find a job online, by searching on job boards or the website Gumtree, which publishes all kinds of classified ads. Apart from that, you have to watch out for scams!
A great way to find a job in fruit picking is by word of mouth. Also, ask around in hostels.

Download the Backpackers Guide

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• administrative procedures
• transport and ways of travelling
• jobs & +500 fruit picking contacts
• regions and practical life
• numerous discounts

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Working Conditions, Housing & Wages

Farm work conditions vary between farms and are heavily influenced by the weather. It’s important to be physically prepared, especially for certain types of harvesting.

Our Experience & Tips 🌿

🍒 Cherries – Easy to pick, as the fruit is light and grows at an accessible height. Best time: Before summer to avoid extreme heat.

🍊 Oranges – Challenging due to the weight of the fruit, tall trees, and thorny branches. You’ll need to carry full bags while climbing ladders, so good physical fitness is essential. Best time: Before summer to avoid high temperatures.

🍋 Lemons – Lighter than oranges and harvested year-round, making them a more flexible option. Best time: Before summer for more comfortable working conditions.

🥕 Ground-grown fruits & vegetables – Physically demanding, as you’ll spend long hours bending over, which can be tough on your back.

Tip: Choose your farm work wisely based on your fitness level and the season to make the experience more manageable! 🚜

Accommodation Options for Farm Work 🚜🏕️

If You Have Your Own Vehicle 🚗

Sleeping in your vehicle? Great advantage! Many farms prefer workers with their own transport.

💡 Tips to save on costs:
✅ Ask the farmer if you can stay on the property—this can help cut fuel and accommodation expenses.
✅ Some farms provide basic facilities like water access, a fridge, and showers for workers.
✅ If staying on-site isn’t an option, check campgrounds, caravan parks, or free camps near the farm.

If You Don’t Have a Vehicle 🚶‍♂️

No transport? No accommodation? Head to a backpacker hostel!

🏠 In agricultural regions, most hostels are “working hostels”, meaning they help connect you with farm jobs. However, be patient! You’ll need to pay for your stay while waiting for a job to open up.

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Farm Work Wages & Payment Methods in Australia (Updated 2025) 💰🚜

Wages and payment methods vary by farm, with some offering hourly wages and others paying per piece rate (based on the quantity of goods picked, pruned, packed, or produced).

📍 South Australia tends to offer competitive wages, as farms require labor year-round.

Minimum Wage & Piece Rates (2025 Update)

✅ Since July 2024, the legal minimum wage in Australia is:

• $24.10 per hour or $913.90 per week for full-time and part-time employees.
• Casual employees receive a higher hourly rate due to casual loading.

✅ Piece Rate Workers (Updated Regulations)
Since 2022, pieceworkers are guaranteed a minimum hourly wage to ensure fair pay:

• Full-time & part-time employees: Minimum $24.10 per hour
• Casual employees: Minimum $30.12 per hour
• Piece Rate Calculation: Employers must apply 15% on top of these rates, meaning:
  • A full-time or part-time pieceworker must earn at least $27.70 per hour when meeting standard productivity levels.
  • A casual pieceworker must earn at least $34.60 per hour under the same conditions.

📌 Tip: Always check your contract and payslips to ensure you’re receiving the correct wages, and clarify whether your payment is hourly or piece rate before accepting a job.

Frequent Question