Farm Jobs Australia for Backpackers
Australia's agricultural sector employs tens of thousands of Working Holiday Visa holders every year. From fruit picking in Queensland to cotton farming in New South Wales, farm work is the most common way backpackers complete their 88-day regional requirement and qualify for a second-year visa.
What Farm Work Is Available?
Australia's farm work spans a huge range of roles, and most don't require prior experience. The most common types for backpackers include:
- Fruit picking — strawberries, mangoes, blueberries, apples. Seasonal. Usually piece-rate pay.
- Vegetable harvest — tomatoes, capsicums, pumpkins. Stoop work, physically demanding but widely available.
- Cotton farming — Queensland and NSW. Gin work and field roles. Often camp accommodation provided.
- Dairy and cattle — Year-round work. More stable than harvest roles. Some driving/tractor experience helpful.
- Pruning and trellis work — vineyards in SA and VIC. Good for slower seasons between harvests.
Best Regions for Farm Work in Australia
Queensland
Bundaberg (strawberries), Bowen (capsicums, tomatoes), Stanthorpe (stone fruit). Warm year-round. Most active Feb–Nov.
New South Wales
Griffith (grapes, citrus), Young (cherries), Narrabri (cotton). Cotton season peaks April–May.
Victoria
Mildura (grapes, citrus), Shepparton (stone fruit), Swan Hill. Harvest season Dec–April.
South Australia
Riverland (citrus, stone fruit), Barossa (grapes). Vintage season Feb–April.
Farm Work & the 88-Day Visa Requirement
To qualify for a second Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 or 462), you must complete 88 days of specified regional work in a designated regional postcode. Farm work — including harvest work, horticulture, aquaculture, and pastoral work — counts toward this requirement.
Things to know:
- Days don't need to be consecutive — you can split across multiple employers
- Your employer must be in a designated regional area
- You need an employment record signed by your employer
- Keep payslips. Immigration can and does audit records.
AussieWork Connect only lists employers in verified regional postcodes. Every listing shows whether the location qualifies for 88-day counting.
How to Find Farm Work Safely
The farm work sector has a history of exploitation — dodgy labour hire companies, unpaid wages, substandard accommodation. Here's how to avoid the worst of it:
- Use employers with an ABN-verified badge — it means their Australian Business Number has been checked against the official register
- Avoid any "employer" who asks for upfront fees or charges for accommodation before you start
- Check the Fair Work ombudsman's minimum wages for your industry before accepting an offer
- Piece-rate pay is legal but must average at least the minimum wage over your hours worked
Ready to Find Farm Work?
Browse verified listings from employers who've been checked against the Australian Business Register.
See also: 88 Days Requirement Guide · Jobs in Queensland