Quick answer: Farm work is how most working holiday makers earn a second or third year in Australia, and there is a harvest somewhere in the country every month. Use the government’s Harvest Trail and reputable job boards, insist on payslips, understand the difference between piece rates and hourly pay, and never pay for accommodation before you have seen it. Only work in eligible postcodes counts towards the 88 days.
Farm work divides backpackers into two camps: those who loved the outdoor life and the friends they made, and those who spent three weeks in a hostel paying for a bunk while waiting for a season that never started. The difference is preparation.
The harvest calendar, region by region
Australia is big enough to have opposite seasons in the north and the south. This is a high-level guide; exact dates shift with the weather every year.
| Region | Peak months | What is picked or packed |
|---|---|---|
| Far North Queensland (Tully, Innisfail, Atherton Tablelands) | Year-round, busiest May–Dec | Bananas, sugar cane, avocados, mangoes |
| Central Queensland (Bundaberg, Bowen, Childers) | Apr–Nov | Tomatoes, capsicum, mandarins, sweet potatoes |
| Southern Queensland (Stanthorpe, Gatton) | Nov–Apr (fruit), year-round (veg) | Apples, stone fruit, vegetables |
| NSW (Griffith, Orange, Coffs Harbour, Batlow) | Oct–Apr; May–Sep for citrus | Grapes, cherries, blueberries, apples, citrus |
| Victoria (Shepparton, Mildura, Yarra Valley) | Nov–Apr | Stone fruit, pears, grapes, berries |
| Tasmania (Huon Valley, Devonport) | Dec–Apr | Cherries, apples, berries, hops |
| South Australia (Riverland, Barossa, Adelaide Hills) | Feb–Apr (vintage), year-round citrus | Grapes, citrus, almonds |
| Western Australia (Carnarvon, Kununurra, Manjimup, Margaret River) | Mar–Nov north; Nov–Apr south | Mangoes, melons, bananas, apples, grapes |
| Northern Territory (Katherine, Darwin rural) | May–Nov | Mangoes, melons, cattle |
Rule of thumb: follow the sun. Work the southern summer, then head north for the dry season.
Where to find legitimate farms
- Harvest Trail — the federal government’s seasonal jobs service, with a searchable map and phone line. It is the safest starting point.
- Backpacker Job Board and specialist boards — see our job-finding guide.
- Working hostels — many regional towns have hostels that place guests with local growers. Some are excellent; some exist to sell beds. Read recent reviews and ask for the farm’s name before booking.
- Word of mouth — the best farms fill up through returning workers. Ask in Facebook groups for the region and season.
- Labour hire contractors — legitimate in many areas, but check they are licensed where the state requires it (Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and others have labour hire licensing schemes).
Piece rates vs hourly
Under the Horticulture Award you can be paid hourly or by piece rate (per bin, bucket or tray). Piece rates reward speed, and experienced pickers can do well. But since 2022 the award requires a minimum hourly guarantee, so a slow first week on a bad row cannot legally leave you with almost nothing. If your payslip does not show the hours you worked and the guarantee, something is wrong.
Check current rates and rules with the Fair Work Ombudsman, and read our guide to wages and worker rights.
Accommodation traps
- Paying a deposit before arriving. Do not. See the room first.
- Bed with no work. A hostel that charges rent while “waiting for the season” is earning from you, not the farm. Set a limit before you arrive.
- Rent deducted from wages without a written agreement and your consent, or above a fair market rate.
- Overcrowding and unsafe housing. Some states now regulate worker accommodation. Take photos and report if it is dangerous.
- Farm-owned caravans and dongas can be great value or grim. Ask for photos from other workers.
Bring: a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, work gloves, sturdy boots, sunscreen, a two-litre water bottle and a sense of humour about 5 am starts.
The 88 days link
If you are on a 417 or 462 visa and want a second year, you need to complete a set number of days of “specified work” in eligible regional areas. What counts, which postcodes are eligible, and whether hospitality and tourism work in northern or remote areas qualifies depends on your visa subclass and the current rules. The requirement is checked against payslips and your employer’s ABN, so cash-in-hand work will not help.
We explain the whole thing, including how to count days and what evidence to keep, in 88 days and the second visa. The authoritative source is the Department of Home Affairs at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/, and rules can change, so check there before you plan a season around it.
What to do next
- Pick a region and season from the calendar above and check the eligible postcode list on Home Affairs.
- Search Harvest Trail and two backpacker boards; contact farms directly where you can.
- Ask every farm or hostel three questions: hourly or piece rate, do you issue payslips, and can I see the accommodation first.
- Keep every payslip and take a photo of your first-day induction sheet.
- Read 88 days and the second visa and wages and worker rights before you start.
Frequently asked questions
Does all farm work count towards the second working holiday visa?
No. Only specified work in specified regional postcodes counts, and the rules differ between the 417 and 462 visas. Check the current lists on the Department of Home Affairs website before you accept a job.
Is piece-rate pay legal in Australia?
Yes, under the Horticulture Award, but a minimum hourly guarantee applies. Piece rates cannot be used to pay you less than the award minimum for the hours you work. Check the current rules with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
How do I know a farm is legitimate?
It pays into your bank account with payslips, it has an ABN, it does not ask for money up front, and it appears on Harvest Trail or has reviews from other backpackers. Cash-in-hand farms with no payslips will not help you with the 88 days.
What is the best time of year for farm work?
There is always something being picked somewhere. Broadly, summer fruit in the south from November to March, and tropical fruit and vegetables in the north from May to October. See the calendar in this guide.
