Harvest Work Information
Avocado Season: Late February-August
Avocado Season: Late February-August
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 dependent 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 may 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 contribute to travel costs if you are getting a ride with someone.
Packing Shed Positions
Avocado Season: Late February-August
There are a range of packing shed positions available at different times of year. 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.
Other work: enquire now
Other work: enquire now
There is farm and tree maintenance work year round including grafting, pruning, and planting.
Macadamia Farm Hands: Year round
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.
Nursery Work
Working with plants from potting soil, planting, cultivating, grafting, repotting, pruning and more. This is stable work 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Own transport essential.
Physical requirements
Other work: enquire now
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.
As you are working outside amongst trees and plants you will come across spiders and insects, so keep that in mind if you are afraid of them!
Mango Season: December - January
First mangos are being picked 27th December - Now recruiting!
The Mango picking season is late December to January in Childers and the season runs for approximately 3-6 weeks. It is good hourly paid work, 5-7 days a week in the heat. It is very weather dependent 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.
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.
Lychee season: December-January
Luscious lychees are in season from mid December through January (approximately 6 weeks depending on the crop and weather events). This is good hourly paid work, 5-7 days a week for the season. Depending on the farm you could be picking, packing or both.
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. Most farms start very early in the day to finish before the heat of the afternoon.
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 1-2 weeks before you are available to arrive, with the following information:
- Name/s (of everyone in your group)
- Phone numbers of everyone
- Current location & when you could arrive
- How long you want to work here for
- Any farm work experience
- Country of passport
- If you have a drivers license
- If you have your own transport and number of seats
- If you would be interested in camping
You only need to apply once to be considered for any position that becomes available.
We will put you on the waiting list for 1 week. If you are still looking for work please email again weekly to stay on the waiting list.
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 $29.33 per hour plus superannuation (if you are over 20. Lower rates apply for under 20 year olds). You are employed by the farm directly, and farms usually pay weekly, although this may vary depending on the employer and can be fortnightly.
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.
MANGO PICKING/PACKING
- Hi-vis long sleeve shirts (orange or yellow, 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 every 2 hours
- Large Water bottles (drink 5-6 litres per day 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. Shower as soon as you get home and wash your work clothes in hot water.
LYCHEE PICKING/PACKING
- Hi vis short or long sleeve shirts (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
- Large Water bottles (drink 5-6 litres per day in summer)
- To take your own healthy lunch and snacks in your own cooler bag
Can I help reduce the chance of getting mango rash? YES!
- Wear clean clothes every day and take them off as soon as you can. You can even put fresh clothes on during breaks.
- Shower, with soap, as soon as you get home.
- Wash your work clothes in hot water.
- Use a barrier cream on your hands/arms, and exposed skin before work.
- Antihistamines can help
DO NOT EAT MANGOS UNTIL YOU HAVE FINISHED WORKING WITH THEM!
Can I buy work clothes in Childers?
Yes at Dimmeys, Dollars and Sense, The Outlet Shop, Vinnies, Lifeline and the Family Shop (second hand).
Hardware shop has work boots but best to bring trainers/sneakers with you. Shops are closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays.
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 "available for work" 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, updating your location. During peak season, the hostel is full and places (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.
Do I need my own transport?
Having your own transport is a big advantage and means you have a better chance of getting a farm job with us. Everyone self-drives, and limited ride share places are available. If you ride with someone you pay your driver a share of petrol and running costs.Some hostels provide transport for you in their buses or vans so that may be a better option if you don't have your own transport and need to get working quickly.
Can I rent a car? Rental cars are not a good option as they get expensive over a few months. Many farm roads are not sealed and rental cars are not insured to drive on them. If we offer you a job based on you saying you have your own transport, you need to come with your own transport. If you turn up with a rental car and then give it back you may not be able to get yourself to work, and we may have to replace you with someone who does have transport. .