Looking for a fruit picking job in Australia? Timing is everything! With Australia’s vast size and diverse climates, harvest seasons vary significantly from region to region. Arriving in the wrong season can mean fewer job opportunities, especially in the southern states during winter.
To help you plan your fruit picking adventure, we’ve created a state-by-state harvest calendar, outlining the best months for farm work.
✅ Light pink = Moderate demand for workers
✅ Dark pink = Peak hiring season
Whether you’re completing your regional work for a second-year Working Holiday Visa, funding your road trip, or just looking for seasonal employment, this guide will help you find the best opportunities at the right time! 🍓🌾
DEMAND FOR WORKERS: HIGH
DEMAND FOR WORKERS: AVERAGE
Table of Contents
New South Wales
From November to April. The peak of the season is in February. NSW is a major fruit and vegetable producing region, and one of the best places in the country to find seasonal farm work!
Orchard fruits, cherries, grapes, oranges and bananas (Coffs Harbour) but also asparagus, onions, corn, pulses, wheat and rice.
You will also find nut harvesting work as well as the cultivation of hay, wool and cotton.
NSW has a large cattle industry and you can find work here on cattle and sheep ranches (from April).
East-central area, around Bathurst, as well as Griffith, which has the third largest population in the famous Riverina agricultural region.
Northern Territory
Two distinct seasons during the year.
May to October is melon growing and picking season, and October to November is the best time to pick mangoes, bananas and citrus fruits.
You will find all the farms around Darwin and Katherine.
Queensland
In Queensland, the harvest period is mostly from December to March, but you can also find farm work outside of these months in some areas. From May to December, many fruits and vegetables are grown in Bowen (south of Cairns), especially mangoes at the end of the year.
Bananas, mangoes, sugar cane, orchard fruits and vegetables.
Head to Bowen for mango harvesting. A few hundred kilometres to the north are Ayr and Ingham. There, you can find a job picking sugar cane, tobacco or bananas. If you go even further north, to Tully, many bananas are harvested there. Near Warwick, in the far south-east of Queensland, you will find orchard and stone fruits as well as grapes. On the south central coast (Bundaberg and Childers), many varieties of fruits and vegetables are also harvested.
More than 120 varieties of fruits and vegetables are picked and packaged each year. Beans, tomatoes, citrus fruits, bananas, mangoes, orchard fruits, cotton and wool share the stage.
South Australia
February to April is the busiest season for farm work in South Australia. You can find work throughout the year here but this period is the best!
Go to Barossa Valley (75km north of Adelaide), the oldest wine region in the country, for grape picking. Otherwise, it is easy to find farms in the Riverland area, on the banks of the Murray River. Citrus fruits (in winter) and red fruits (in summer) such as strawberries or raspberries are the flagship fruits of the region.
Tasmania
The harvest season extends from December to June.
Tasmania is all about apples. The island is full of orchards, which make it the main crop of this state. You will be surprised to learn that this small island produces nearly 1/5 of Australia’s apples, i.e. 55,000 tonnes/year. Amazing! These apples are used to make juice and cider. Many producers share the market. The main fruits for which labour is needed in Tasmania are: orchard fruits, berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries), grapes and also hops.
The main agricultural region in Tasmania is the Huon region (Huon Valley, Huonville) located south of Hobart. Besides that, there is no real agricultural centre here – it is possible to find work all over Tasmania.
Victoria
The high season is in full swing from November to April, peaking in February.
Orchard fruits, berries, grapes, tomatoes and tobacco are the main harvests here. There are also stone fruit harvests, and grapes!
The Murray River region and the city of Shepparton, located in the north central part of the state, have farms as far as the eye can see. You will also find plenty of jobs in places like Mildura and Swan Hill.
Cobram is renowned for its stone fruit varieties. Finally, in the heart of the Yarra Valley (40km northeast of Melbourne), you will find more than 80 vineyards and wineries. Grape picking is king here! This is also the case in the Highlands, which are home to many vineyards.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, there are two very distinct harvesting seasons, spread out across two different areas. October to June is harvest time in the southwestern part of Western Australia, for picking apples, pears and grapes. From March to November, it is on the west coast or in the northeast (around Kununurra) that the majority of the harvest takes place.
Apples and pears are the main crops here, as well as lemons, soft fruits (strawberries, cherries and other berries), tomatoes, avocados, pumpkins and potatoes.
Depending on the time of year, head to the South West of Western Australia, to the West Coast or the North East. On the coast, jobs in picking are becoming rarer than inland and are giving way to the fishing sector. Raising shrimps, crayfish, collecting scallops…These are other activities in which you may be interested. These breeding farms are located between Fremantle and Carnarvon.
Best Harvesting Areas in Australia (Map)
Use this map as a guide for your next road trip if you want to do some farm work.
Essential Equipment for Fruit Picking in Australia
Before heading to a farm, make sure you’re properly equipped—your clothes and gear will get dirty, torn, or covered in mud! Here’s what you need:
👕 Clothing & Protection
✅ Long-sleeved top & long pants – Protection from sun, scratches & insects
✅ Waterproof clothing – Essential for rainy days
✅ Hat & sunglasses – Use an old pair as they might get scratched or damaged
🌞 Sun Protection & Safety
✅ Sunscreen (SPF 50+) – Reapply several times a day 🧴
✅ Gloves – Protect your hands from thorns, insects & even snakes 🧤
💧 Hydration & Energy
✅ Plenty of water – Stay hydrated under the harsh Aussie sun ☀️
✅ Small snacks – Handy for extra energy between tasks 🍏
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t wear anything too valuable—farm work is messy, and your clothes will take a beating! 🚜👖
Finding a job in fruit picking – our tips
Use job websites, social media groups, or visit farms directly. Also use the farm contacts provided in our free PDF guide. Many farms prefer to hire workers in person. Visit local farms and inquire about available positions. Talk to other travellers or seasonal workers to get recommendations on where to find work and share useful information.
Be prepared to travel; if you land a job, you may need to travel a bit 🙂. Having a vehicle will make your job search easier.
Be prepared for physical work. Fruit picking can be physically demanding, so be ready for long workdays and physical tasks.
Make sure you have the necessary equipment (mentioned above) to start any new job.
Finally, job hunting in fruit picking can take time. Be patient and persevere.
Plan your Working Holiday in Australia 📖 Free eBook
Plan your trip in Australia with this free 60-page ebook written by former backpackers who have traveled the length and breadth of Australia.
Inside, you’ll discover everything you need to plan your journey. This ebook will guides you through the entire process, from applying for your visa to booking your flights and understanding the administrative procedures upon arrival.
With detailed insights and practical advice, you’ll navigate each step of your journey with ease. So, get ready to embark on your Australian adventure fully equipped and informed!
I’m interested to seasonal work in Australia,
But I’m living in france would it be possible?
I much of Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne because I was working with Signs Publishing Company in Warburton Melbourne,
Thank you and hope to hear from you
Peo Soma
Hi Peo, you can contact the fars directly or visit them once you are in Australia. Best of luck 🙂
I’m so interested but it’s hard to apply because I’m from the philippines and can’t apply offshore..need a working visa but here in the Philippines we need to look for sponsorship farm work..but it’s that not easy..
Hi Sir am looking for a fruit picking Jobs
That will operate in November onwards this year to next year 2024
I am a Pick for strawberry farm Hoticulture Strawberry in Bullsbrook WA
Hoticulture Strawberry farmer will close on December so Visa is valid for 9months .
I am checking on which farms I can work with for 3 remaining months thankyou and wait for your reply
Hi Sylvia, check our calendar to get info. If you want to stay in WA, maybe go towards Margaret River for grapes? Cheers
Hello. The data is so good that I want to use them, can I use them? Thank you!
Hi Lee, yes please 🙂 Don’t hesitate to get back to us if you have any feedback 🙂
Hi..I’m very much interested in fruit picking seasonal jobs. I was searching every where until I came across here.
From time to time I’ll stay connect with you for WHV
I am from PNG. I am interested in fruit picking job in Australia.
I was searching every where until I came across here.
Thanks Esther, hope it helps 🙂
Hello, my partner and I are due to arrive in Perth WA in early Nov 2024. We have a WHV and wondering what is the best approach to land a harvesting job? Also, what harvest is the most prevalent during this time of year in Perth?
Thank you in advance 🙂
Hi Rose,
Landing a harvesting job in Perth with a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) in early November is a great choice as you’ll be arriving just in time for several seasonal harvests (lychees, mangoes, loquats, avocados…) You can use resources like Workforce Australia’s Harvest Trail and job boards and also our Fruit picking map to find and secure a harvesting job in Perth. 🙂
Hello, I am an international student who has a non-study semester from November to April which i have full working rights. Currently in Melbourne. Kindly seeking assistance in finding work during that time.Please advise
Hi there, it depends on what kind of jobs you are looking for but I would advise you to check out Melbourne FB pages + Gumtree + Seek and Indeed. You can also ask your university if they don’t have any jobs or contacts for work 🙂 Good luck
Me n my daughter who’s 16 living in our caravan looking for fruit picking jobs not sure we’re to start n how to apply? Also is there parking for caravans n animals allowed. We’ve been in Australia for 4 years so we are residents.