Fruit Picking Work in Australia

Australia has several weather zones and many different crops are grown. This means that there is usually work for fruit pickers somewhere in the country. If you’re interested in picking fruit in Australia, plan well and be prepared to work hard!

Working in the sun

Sunglasses and sun cream are absolutely essential if you want to avoid sunburn. A long-sleeve cotton shirt may not seem appealing, but you will be thankful for it in the heat of the day.

Drinking enough water is crucial. It will save time if you keep your water in something that is attached to your belt so that you can take a drink whenever you need to.

Other requirements

Sometimes, employers don’t supply tools, so you need to use your own. Check first to make sure you have what you need.

Consider taking a music player so that you can listen to music. The days can be long, and it makes the time go faster.

Payment methods

Some farms pay a flat rate (by the hour), but it is not common for work that involves collecting fruit; this type of payment is generally for work in the shed (棚). The other more usual model is the piece rate: your pay depends on the amount of fruit you bring in at the end of the day.

Following a harvest route

In some parts of Australia, there is something to harvest all year round.

New South Wales

Bananas: Coffs Harbour

Vegetables: Sydney Basin

Queensland

Bananas: Innisfail, Mareeba, Tully

Citrus (柑橘类果实): Gayndah, Mareeba

Victoria

Vegetables: Bairnsdale, Cobram

Citrus: Cobram

Western Australia

Bananas: Carnarvon

Citrus and vegetables: Gingin, Swan Valley

【小题1】What are fruit pickers advised to do?

A．Keep water handy.	B．Wear a short-sleeve shirt.
C．Try to make their own tools.	D．Avoid music to keep focused.

【小题2】How are fruit pickers usually paid?

A．By the week.

B．By the hour.

C．By the amount of harvest.

D．By the fruit type.

【小题3】Where can fruit pickers harvest bananas and citrus all year round?

A．Coffs Harbour.

B．Mareeba.

C．Carnarvon.

D．Cobram.