Fruit Picking

Fruit and crop picking is the typical backpackers job in Australia, it is almost obligatory to do a few days work at least, even if only to tick it off the 'been there, done that' list. It is perfect for the traveller because harvest seasons last for a short duration, you get to meet and work with other travellers, and it pays reasonably well.
Western Australia is particularly good for fruit picking work with a wide variety of work throughout the year. Broome is a particularly good spot with some type of work available at any time.
The warm months (Oct-Apr) are the prime time for harvest jobs. The work is not easy, but once you get the hang of it you can earn in the vicinity of $300 per week after tax. The majority of jobs pay by the bucket, so the harder you work the more money you make (It can often sound like good pay, until you size of the bucket!)

Be warned, there are some unscrupulous people out there, so always establish your working hours, conditions and wages before you start. Another trap (probably unavoidable) is the work hostel that hardly gives you any work, all the time making money as you pay for their often very basic accommodation. Your best bet is to talk to as many people as possible who have been working at a particular place to find out if it is worth the effort.

In Western Australia the main crops and harvest times are as follows. Enquire at the local CES office for more information:

Western Australia timetable

Broome timetable

For more information try Seasonal work on the Mildura grape harvest.

Seasonal Farm Work
Those with a farming background will find it easy to get work in northern Western Australia, especially at seeding and harvest time when there is usually a shortage of competent farmhands with good experience in cereal crops.

There is also the possibility of cattle station work in the north of the state during mustering season, from February to June.

For people with good experience in heavy tractor soil tillage, drill, single pass seeding equipment, or combine harvester operation, there is a very good chance of finding work, depending on the season. Truck driving experience carting grain, particularly HGV, is a distinct advantage.

Pay can vary between a flat rate of $90-$120 per day or $9.00-$12.00 per hour before tax. In either case, you may be required to work anything between 50 and 80 hours per week and, during seeding in particular, over a seven day week.

In early October, farmers start taking on seasonal workers for harvest. Seeding commences from late March to May, depending on the commencement of winter rains. During seeding and harvest there is a need for cooking and/or home help on the farms.

Not having your own vehicle can be a disadvantage in getting work, particularly on farms which might be 70 or 80km from the nearest town. A temporary vehicle can be a great help, not only in getting a job but also in seeing the countryside. If getting a vehicle is not possible though, there is a good country coach network. For more information on farm work contact an employment agency or check job adverts in local newspapers. For more job opportunities and information Farm work available, go to the Rural Enterprises web pages, or try the Progressive Growers Organisation.