Harvest Work Information
Lychee season: December-January
Lychee season: December-January
Lychee season: December-January
Luscious lychees are in season from mid December through January (4-7 weeks depending on the crop and weather events). This is good hourly paid work, 5-7 days a week for the season. You may be able to move on to mango work after lychees finish. Own transport an advantage.
Be prepared to work outside in the hot Queensland summer.
Mango Season: January
Lychee season: December-January
Lychee season: December-January
The Mango picking season is January in Childers and the season runs for approximately 2-4 weeks. It is good hourly paid work, 7 days a week in the heat. It is very weather dependant so storm delays are likely (you can't pick in the wet).
Mango picking is done from the ground. The fruit is very delicate and bruises easily so you have to be careful as well as quick.
There are also mango pack shed jobs available.
The sap from the mango stem can cause an allergic reaction in some people - called Mango rash. If you get mango rash you cannot continue working as the allergen builds up the more contact you have with it, causing inflammation and swelling. This also means that you cannot eat mangos during picking season as this increases the chance of getting mango rash! People with pale skin or red hair are more susceptible to mango rash, so take that into consideration if you are looking to apply. If you do get Mango Rash there may be a possibility of moving onto other jobs if positions are available.
There may be other work on the mango farm after picking for good workers. Own transport a bonus.
Orchard work: year round
Lychee season: December-January
Packing Shed Positions: year round
There is farm and tree maintenance work year round including grafting, pruning, and planting.
Macadamia Farm Hands.
General farm work including planting and maintenance of macadamia trees. Hours typically 6am to 2.30pm. Hourly paid plus superannuation. May work at different farm sites. Own transport essential.
Packing Shed Positions: year round
Packing Shed Positions: year round
Packing Shed Positions: year round
There are a range of packing shed positions available year round. Hours may vary depending on the crop and the time of season, but on average they can work good hours with a mix of long and short days, hourly paid.
Packing shed jobs may involve sorting and packing fruit, lifting and moving boxes, forklift driving. You may need to be fit and strong for some roles, and be able to work on your feet all day for others.
Avocado Season: March-September
Packing Shed Positions: year round
Avocado Season: March-September
RECRUITING FROM FEBRUARY - Picking avocados usually offers stable hourly paid work 5 days a week, 7.00 - 3.30/4pm for the season. This is weather and market dependant and can change at times. The cooler Autumn and Winter temperatures and long season make it a popular job to qualify for the Second or Third Year Working Holiday Visa.
Avocados are picked from the ground or a cherry picker; you need a drivers license to operate a cherry picker, and not be afraid of heights. These farms pay an hourly rate so you earn good money and jobs are highly sought after.
We encourage you to use your own transport to get to work and car pool with others. That way there is no extra cost if you have a car, or you just contribute to petrol if you are getting a ride with someone.
Physical requirements
Packing Shed Positions: year round
Avocado Season: March-September
Fruit picking is strenuous work involving working long hours, often in the heat, and doing repetitious tasks that can be physically demanding. This means sufficient physical fitness is an inherent requirement of working as a fruit picker.
You need to be mentally prepared to be working outdoors, on your feet, in the Queensland heat. You will be briefed on safety and how to avoid heat stress. It is important to drink lots of water, eat well and not be hungover or dehydrated for work.
You also need to understand that weather and the markets affect farm work and this may change the days you work and hours in the day.
Some jobs start work very early in the morning and are finished by lunchtime to avoid the hottest part of the day. Other jobs start later depending on the crop and the farm schedule.
FAQ's
How do I apply for a job?
To enquire about farm work and staying at Childers Ecolodge please email info@childersecolodge.com.au , with the following information:
- Name/s
- Phone/s
- Current location & when you could arrive
- How long you want to work for
- Any farm work experience
- If you have a drivers license
- If you have your own transport and number of seats
- How long you want to work here for
- If you would be interested in camping
You only need to apply once to be considered for any position that becomes available.
How much would I get paid?
Most of our farms pay an hourly rate so you earn good money and jobs are highly sought after. The current Horticultural Award rate is $28.26 per hour plus superannuation (if you are over 20). You are employed by the farm directly, and farms usually pay weekly, although this may vary depending on the employer.
Some jobs pay by contract rate (by bucket, bin, or bunch). You will be told what the rate is, and how much you are expected to pick to give you an equivalent of the hourly rate.
With contract rates the faster you work the more you pick and the more you earn. With hourly rate what you earn is set. In either situation, if you are not performing your work to the required standard, or if you don't have a good attitude or listen to instructions, you will not be required any longer. We cannot place you at another job if this happens.
Will I get a payslip?
Payslips are provided and work qualifies for the second and third year Working Holiday Visa.
What do I need before starting work?
- You must have a valid 417 or 462 Working Holiday Visa or the right to work in Australia.
- You must have an Australian bank account and Superannuation account.
- You must have (or have already applied for) an Australian Tax File Number.
What clothes and gear do I need?
Different farms have different requirements: however generally:
AVOCADO PICKING/PACKING
- short or long sleeve Hi-vis shirts (bright orange or yellow. No singlets.
- Shorts or long pants. No short shorts
- Comfortable closed shoes - trainers or sneakers are fine (flip flops or sandals are not suitable)
- A hat or cap
- Sunscreen to put on in the morning
- Water bottles –3-4 litres in summer
- To take your own healthy lunch and snacks in your own cooler bag
- Some farms do not allow jewellery - if you have piercings you can't remove, check with us before you book.
LYCHEE PICKING/PACKING
- Hi vis short or long sleeve shirts (no singlets)
- Shorts or long pants. No short shorts
- Comfortable closed shoes - trainers or sneakers are fine (flip flops or sandals are not suitable)
- A hat or cap
- Sunscreen to put on in the morning
- Water bottles –3-4 litres in summer
- To take your own healthy lunch and snacks in your own cooler bag
MANGO PICKING/PACKING
- short sleeve shirts (no singlets)
- Shorts or long pants. No short shorts
- Closed shoes - trainers or sneakers are fine (flip flops or sandals are not suitable)
- A hat or cap
- Sunscreen to put on in the morning
- Water bottles –3-4 litres in summer
- To take your own healthy lunch and snacks in your own cooler bag
- Minimum 3 sets of work clothes. You must wear clean clothes every day to minimise the chance of mango rash.
Can I buy work clothes in Childers?
Yes at Dimmeys, Dollars and Sense and Vinnies, Lifeline and the Family Shop (second hand).
Hardware shop has work boots but best to bring trainers/sneakers with you.
NOTE: your work clothes/shoes will most likely be permanently stained with red soil so don't wear your favourite gear.
Can I go on the waiting list?
If when you apply we do not have any jobs available we put you on the waiting list for 1 week. If you are still looking after 1 week just send us another email every week to stay on the waiting list. During peak season, the hostel is full and spots (jobs and beds) only come up when people move on. If you are located nearby and can move at short notice you may have the advantage of getting any jobs that come up at short notice. Apply once you arrive in Queensland if you are located in Western Australia or overseas.
Can I choose my job?
When there are jobs available we will offer suitable people who have applied the chance of a position, then it will be the first to reply and book who gets the job. Usually we will explain what type of job it is, although farmwork can be unpredictable sometimes and you may end up at a different job depending on weather, fruit readiness, and transport options. We do our best to get you working straight away, and keep you updated on start dates. You have the right to decline any job offer before you arrive, bearing in mind another job may not come along for some time. Generally you cannot switch between jobs. Once you start a job, you commit to finishing the season or working at least 2 months.