2 questions for you folks what is fruit picking in australia like and how much cash should i take over.?

Question

Hi Everybody

im off out to aus in october time just wanted to know if any of you have done fruit picking / harvest work whats it like and how much cash should i take over to get me started.

Answer 1

Like the guy said above- look up Australian government harvest trail- I recall seeing it on a government web site. I grew up in a many rural areas and my parents were fruit pickers so I have alot of experience.

QLD- Tropical QLD has bananas, pineapples, e.t.c. and pays the better money but is also really hard work- especially in summer- like 40 degree heat. It is alot more expensive to live up there than say rural QLD, but still sffordable compared to the city. Most places where there are pickers have caravan parks so you should be able to ring ahead and book in- to make sure there is room. You will also meet alot of people here and it will be very multicultural as most pickers in my experience are foreign or travellers.

Rural QLD- broccoli, lettuce, veges are more common here as the temperatures dont soar as much. Alot more bending, so can be really hard on your back. Cheaper accomadation and same as above. Only thing is you have to get used to small town living.

Rural towns have alot of farms too, so you can work day and night as my ols did.

Bring over a few grand to set yourself up. I would save at least $5 000. Once you have a job youll be fine and meet lotsa people. Good Luck!!

Answer 2

The government is trying to develop a web site for exactly that called Harvest Trail. They have also introduced two year working visas (2x1) because of the demand for workers in the rural sector for what you want to do.

If you are planning on a 'working holiday' you must be from either Belgium, Canada, the Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. This will let you do whatever you want for 12 months. However if you do seasonal work for a primary producer in an eligible regional Australian area for a minimum of three months while on your first Working Holiday visa, then you may apply for a second Working Holiday visa (another 12 months). The requirements are the same as for the first visa, except that applications can be made while you are either in or outside Australia.

Applicants must have evidence of their seasonal work. (I.E: paid tax, not "cash in hand")

Beware! it can be bloody hot working at that time of year in the Australian outdoors.

There is of course not just one harvest trail, but many. Harvest workers can chose to circle the continent or follow the sun. They can go south from the wet tropics of far north Queensland to Tasmania’s Huon Valley or east from Western Australia’s Margaret River to the Riverina. In some locations it is possible for workers to follow seasonal activities through much of the year on a trail within kilometres of their doorstep.

Harvesting of fruit and vegetable crops around Australia can often involve working singly, in pairs or teams. The job can involve climbing ladders, standing, kneeling or sitting while moving through the crop. The work can be repetitious and tiring.

Crops are collected in various ways. Produce is often placed into buckets, tubs or lugs. It can be picked and placed into a bag strapped to the shoulders. On some occasions produce can be harvested in bunches and placed onto trays or placed into bins.

Start time is usually from early morning and often the work is late into the day. Some evening and night time work can be required, especially in the packing of produce harvested earlier in the day.

There is often work associated with the harvest in packing sheds, canneries and other processing plants or factories

You might like to get a van or something to travel around in and sleep in. For a second hand heap you can find one in the Trading Post or Quokka. Then you will known how much money you will need to bring.