Position: Agricultural Worker / Farm Worker / Horticultural Worker / Crop Worker / Fruit & Vegetable Worker / General Farm Assistant
Employer: To Be Announced (TBA)
Country: Australia
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience: Entry-Level & Experienced Workers Considered
Salary: From AUD $25.74 Gross Per Hour During Applicable Introductory Horticulture Classification, Increasing to at Least AUD $26.44 Gross Per Hour for Level 2 Where Applicable
Standard Full-Time Hours: Approximately 38 Hours Per Week
Accommodation: Provided
Lunch: Provided During Working Days
Overtime: Available Where Required
Employment / Visa Assistance: Provided for Eligible Candidates Only
PALM Scheme Employment: Available Only Where Worker and Employer Meet PALM Requirements
Employer: TBA

WORK IN AGRICULTURE IN AUSTRALIA

Applications are invited from candidates interested in full-time agricultural, horticultural and farm work in Australia.

These positions may be suitable for hardworking individuals who enjoy practical outdoor work and are comfortable working in farms, orchards, vineyards, greenhouses, nurseries and agricultural production facilities.

Potential positions include:

Agricultural Worker
Farm Worker
Horticultural Worker
Crop Worker
Fruit Picker
Vegetable Picker
Farm Hand
Orchard Worker
Vineyard Worker
Greenhouse Worker
Packing Shed Worker
Agricultural General Labourer

Entry-level positions may be available.

Previous farm experience can be useful but is not required for every vacancy.

Training will be provided for appropriate workplace procedures.

AVAILABLE LOCATIONS

Agricultural opportunities may be available across major farming regions including:

Queensland
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory
Mildura and surrounding agricultural areas
Riverina agricultural region
Sunraysia and regional horticultural areas

The exact workplace will depend on the employer, crop, farm and available vacancy.

Candidates should be prepared to relocate to the location where employment is offered.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

Agricultural Workers perform a wide range of duties involved in producing, harvesting, preparing and packing agricultural products.

Depending on the farm, duties may include:

Preparing fields
Preparing planting areas
Planting crops
Transplanting seedlings
Watering
Irrigation assistance
Crop maintenance
Weeding
Pruning
Harvesting
Fruit picking
Vegetable picking
Sorting produce
Grading produce
Packing products
Preparing produce for transport
Loading appropriate agricultural products
Cleaning work areas
Maintaining agricultural facilities
General farm duties

Workers may perform several different tasks during the same working week.

PLANTING & CROP PREPARATION

Farm Workers may help prepare land and growing areas before crops are planted.

Duties can include:

Preparing planting beds
Moving trays and seedlings
Planting seeds
Transplanting young plants
Placing plants at appropriate spacing
Preparing irrigation lines
Organising growing areas
Removing weeds and debris

Workers must follow instructions from farm supervisors.

CROP MAINTENANCE

Once crops are growing, workers may help maintain them.

Responsibilities can include:

Watering
Weeding
Removing damaged plants
Supporting plants
Training vines
Pruning
Thinning fruit
Checking crop condition
Maintaining growing areas
Reporting pests or crop damage

Agricultural chemicals must only be handled by appropriately trained and authorised workers.

FRUIT PICKING

Fruit-picking opportunities may involve products such as:

Apples
Oranges
Mandarins
Grapes
Berries
Stone fruit
Mangoes
Avocados
Bananas
Other agricultural produce

Workers may:

Identify ripe fruit
Pick fruit carefully
Place produce into containers
Carry appropriate picking containers
Remove damaged produce
Move harvested products to collection points

Care must be taken to avoid damaging the crop.

VEGETABLE HARVESTING

Vegetable farms may require workers to harvest products including:

Tomatoes
Lettuce
Broccoli
Capsicum
Carrots
Onions
Potatoes
Beans
Other vegetables

Tasks may involve bending, walking, lifting and repetitive movements.

VINEYARD WORK

Vineyard positions may involve:

Vine maintenance
Pruning assistance
Training vines
Removing unwanted growth
Harvesting grapes
Moving containers
General vineyard maintenance

Some vineyard tasks require specific training.

ORCHARD WORK

Orchard Workers may help with:

Fruit picking
Pruning
Tree maintenance
Thinning
Irrigation
Removing damaged fruit
Sorting harvested produce
Preparing fruit for packing

Workers may spend much of the day outdoors.

GREENHOUSE WORK

Greenhouse and protected-cropping positions may include:

Planting
Watering
Crop maintenance
Pruning
Picking
Sorting
Packing
Cleaning growing areas

Greenhouses can become hot and humid.

Candidates should be comfortable working in different temperatures.

SORTING & GRADING

After harvesting, agricultural products frequently need to be sorted.

Workers may:

Inspect produce
Remove damaged items
Separate products according to size
Separate products according to quality
Place produce into appropriate containers
Prepare products for packing

Employees must work accurately while maintaining production speed.

PACKING SHED WORK

Some positions may be based partly or entirely in agricultural packing facilities.

Workers may:

Receive harvested produce
Sort products
Grade products
Pack fruit and vegetables
Seal boxes
Apply labels
Stack cartons
Prepare orders
Prepare products for transportation
Maintain clean packing areas

Packing work can involve standing for extended periods.

LOADING & MOVING PRODUCE

Employees may help move harvested products around the farm or packing facility.

This can include:

Moving boxes
Moving containers
Stacking appropriate loads
Preparing pallets
Loading products
Moving produce into storage

Workers must follow safe manual-handling procedures.

TRACTORS, FORKLIFTS & FARM MACHINERY

Some farms use:

Tractors
Forklifts
Harvesting equipment
Irrigation equipment
Agricultural machinery

General Farm Workers must not operate specialist machinery unless they have received the required training, hold any necessary licence and have been authorised by the employer.

Applicants with genuine machinery or forklift experience should include this information in their application.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Agricultural work can be physically demanding.

Candidates should be prepared for:

Outdoor work
Hot weather
Cool weather
Sun exposure
Standing
Walking
Bending
Reaching
Repetitive movements
Lifting appropriate loads
Working around plants and soil
Working to production requirements

Some duties may begin early in the morning because of weather and crop conditions.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Applicants should be reasonably physically fit.

Workers may be required to:

Walk for extended periods
Stand for long periods
Bend repeatedly
Reach above shoulder height
Carry appropriate containers
Perform repetitive agricultural tasks

Candidates should inform the employer of any limitations relevant to safely carrying out the job.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Australian employers must provide a safe working environment.

Employees must follow safety procedures.

Depending on the role, workers may be required to use:

Work boots
Gloves
High-visibility clothing
Sun protection
Protective clothing
Eye protection
Hearing protection
Other appropriate PPE

Workers must report hazards, injuries and unsafe conditions.

WORKING HOURS

These positions are advertised as full-time employment.

A common full-time agricultural working week is approximately:

38 HOURS PER WEEK

A typical schedule may involve:

Approximately 7.6 hours per day
5 working days per week

However, agricultural schedules can vary according to:

Employer
Crop
Weather
Harvest requirements
Operational needs

Exact guaranteed hours will be stated in the employment agreement.

EARLY MORNING WORK

Agricultural work may start early.

Some farms begin work in the early morning to avoid extreme heat or because produce needs to be harvested at a particular time.

Candidates should be prepared for early starting times where required.

SALARY

Australian agricultural employees must receive at least the wage legally applicable to their employment.

Under the Horticulture Award from 1 July 2026, the adult minimum rates include:

LEVEL 1 – AUD $25.74 GROSS PER HOUR

or approximately:

AUD $978.10 GROSS PER 38-HOUR WEEK

The Level 1 classification is an introductory classification.

Employees who progress to Level 2 must receive at least:

AUD $26.44 GROSS PER HOUR

or approximately:

AUD $1,004.90 GROSS PER 38-HOUR WEEK

Higher classifications receive higher rates.

The exact classification and wage depend on the employee’s duties, experience and applicable industrial award.

IMPORTANT LEVEL 1 RULE

Level 1 under the Horticulture Award is an introductory classification.

Workers cannot simply remain indefinitely on the lower introductory wage.

Where the applicable Award rules require progression, employees must move to the correct higher classification and wage.

The final employment agreement must comply with Australian workplace law.

NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

Australia’s National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is:

AUD $26.44 GROSS PER HOUR

or:

AUD $1,004.90 GROSS PER WEEK

for a 38-hour working week for award-free adult employees.

Agricultural workers covered by an applicable Award must be paid according to the relevant Award classification.

CASUAL WORKERS

Although these vacancies are being advertised as full-time positions, candidates should understand that Australian agricultural businesses also employ casual workers.

For comparison, an adult Level 1 casual worker under the Horticulture Award currently receives at least:

AUD $32.18 GROSS PER HOUR

including casual loading.

However, the positions advertised here are intended to focus on full-time employment opportunities wherever available.

PIECE RATES

Some fruit and vegetable work may legally use piece-rate arrangements.

A piece rate means payment can depend partly on the amount harvested or completed.

However, workers covered by the Horticulture Award have a minimum wage guarantee.

A pieceworker cannot simply be paid an unlimited low amount because the worker picked fewer products.

For each day worked, the applicable minimum wage guarantee must be respected.

If piece-rate earnings exceed the guaranteed minimum, the worker receives the higher amount.

OVERTIME & PENALTY RATES

Additional hours may become available during periods of high agricultural activity.

Overtime may be required because of:

Crop requirements
Harvest deadlines
Weather conditions
Large orders
Operational requirements

Overtime is not guaranteed.

Where overtime, weekend or public-holiday penalty rates apply, employees must be paid according to the applicable Australian Award or employment rules.

ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED

Accommodation will be arranged for successful workers under the recruitment package.

Depending on employer and location, accommodation may include:

Shared worker housing
Shared houses
Farm accommodation
Shared apartments
Other suitable accommodation

Workers may share:

Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Laundry facilities
Living areas

Any applicable accommodation charges, utility costs or lawful deductions must be clearly explained before employment is accepted.

LUNCH PROVIDED

Lunch will be provided during scheduled working days according to employer arrangements.

The exact meal arrangements will be disclosed before employment begins.

AUSTRALIAN WORKPLACE RIGHTS

Migrant workers legally working in Australia have workplace rights.

Workers must receive at least their applicable lawful wage and employment entitlements.

Workers should receive clear information concerning:

Employer
Job
Wage
Working hours
Employment status
Deductions
Accommodation
Workplace conditions

Employers cannot lawfully avoid Australian workplace protections simply because an employee is a migrant worker.

IMPORTANT – AUSTRALIAN WORK VISA ELIGIBILITY

International candidates should understand that Australia does not currently operate a general unskilled agricultural work visa available to every nationality.

This is extremely important.

A job application does not automatically create eligibility for an Australian work visa.

International applicants must have an immigration route that legally permits them to perform the offered work.

PACIFIC AUSTRALIA LABOUR MOBILITY – PALM SCHEME

Australia operates the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

The PALM scheme specifically enables approved Australian employers to recruit workers into:

Unskilled positions
Low-skilled positions
Semi-skilled positions

Agriculture is one of the major industries covered by the scheme.

PALM employment can include:

SHORTER-TERM PLACEMENTS

of up to approximately nine months,

and:

LONGER-TERM EMPLOYMENT

generally between one and four years.

This website is primarily advertising full-time employment, and where appropriate employers may seek workers for longer-term PALM placements.

PALM SCHEME NATIONALITY RESTRICTION

The PALM scheme is not open to applicants from every country in the world.

It is limited to citizens of countries officially participating in the PALM scheme.

Applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements of the labour-sending arrangements applicable to their country.

Candidates who are not eligible for PALM must have another Australian visa or immigration status permitting agricultural employment.

PALM EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS

An employer cannot simply call itself a PALM employer.

Businesses recruiting workers through the scheme must satisfy Australian Government requirements.

An approved employer must meet requirements concerning matters such as:

Employer eligibility
Financial viability
Worker welfare
Recruitment
Accommodation
Employment conditions
Labour-market requirements
Sponsorship approval

The employer must also receive the required approvals before workers can participate.

PALM WORKER REQUIREMENTS

Applicants seeking employment through the PALM scheme must meet the applicable worker requirements.

These can include:

Eligible nationality
Valid passport
Appropriate health
Character requirements
Physical fitness
Appropriate work experience where required
Employer selection
Applicable government approval
Commitment to employment conditions

Longer-term workers may also need an appropriate standard of English.

OTHER AUSTRALIAN VISA HOLDERS

Agricultural work may also be performed by people who already hold an Australian visa giving them appropriate work rights.

Examples can include some holders of:

Working Holiday visas
Work and Holiday visas
Student visas subject to work conditions
Temporary Graduate visas
Other visas carrying suitable work rights

The exact work rights must always be checked before employment begins.

WORKING HOLIDAY APPLICANTS

Some international candidates may qualify for Australia’s Working Holiday Maker programme.

Eligibility depends on factors such as:

Passport nationality
Age
Visa subclass
Individual immigration circumstances

Agricultural work can be particularly relevant to Working Holiday Maker visa holders.

However, eligibility for a Working Holiday visa cannot be created simply by obtaining a farm job.

VISA ASSISTANCE

Where an employer is able to recruit an eligible international worker through an appropriate immigration route, assistance may be provided with the applicable employment and visa process.

Assistance may include guidance concerning:

Employment offer
Employment agreement
Employer documentation
Passport requirements
Work experience evidence
Health requirements
Police certificates
Visa documentation
Travel preparation

The exact process depends on the worker’s visa category.

NO GUARANTEED VISA

No employer, recruitment company or immigration assistance provider can guarantee an Australian visa.

Visa eligibility depends on:

Nationality
Visa category
Employer eligibility
Work rights
Age where relevant
Health
Character
Employment conditions
Government requirements

The final visa decision belongs to the relevant Australian authority.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates interested in Australian Agricultural Worker positions should complete the online application form.

Applicants should provide information concerning:

Previous agricultural work
Farm experience
Fruit picking experience
Vegetable work
Packing experience
Greenhouse experience
Vineyard experience
Machinery experience
Education
English ability
Current country of residence
Current Australian visa or work-right status, if applicable

Candidates without previous agricultural experience may still apply for suitable entry-level positions.

IMMIGRATION ELIGIBILITY CHECK

International applications will be assessed against both:

EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS

and:

AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION ELIGIBILITY

If an applicant does not have access to a visa or labour-mobility route permitting the employment, the applicant cannot legally be placed into the job.

Candidates should therefore answer all immigration questions accurately.

SHORTLISTING

Applications will be reviewed against available farm vacancies.

Candidates whose profiles match available positions may be shortlisted.

Submitting an application does not mean the applicant has automatically received:

A job
An interview
PALM selection
Sponsorship
A visa

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Shortlisted candidates may participate in:

Online interviews
Employer interviews
Recruitment assessments
Physical-work suitability discussions

Where recruitment arrangements permit, candidates may also be invited to an official recruitment event or interview.

Candidates must wait for formal instructions.

IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION

Do not purchase airline tickets, reserve hotels or make travel arrangements because you have submitted an application.

Applicants should only travel after:

Receiving appropriate formal instructions
Confirming their employment
Obtaining any required visa
Confirming legal eligibility to enter Australia

A shortlist notification is not permission to travel to Australia.

EMPLOYMENT OFFER

Candidates successfully selected will receive formal employment information.

The employment documentation should state:

Employer
Farm
Location
Job title
Classification
Wage
Guaranteed hours
Duties
Employment conditions
Accommodation arrangements
Meal arrangements
Proposed starting date

Candidates should carefully review these conditions before accepting employment.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

These jobs may be suitable for people who are:

Hardworking
Reliable
Physically fit
Comfortable with outdoor work
Able to follow instructions
Willing to relocate
Comfortable performing repetitive work
Interested in agriculture
Able to work as part of a team

Previous agricultural experience can be an advantage but is not necessary for every entry-level role.

POSITION SUMMARY

Position: Agricultural Worker / Farm Worker / Horticultural Worker
Country: Australia
Employment: Full-Time
Experience: Entry-Level & Experienced Workers
Horticulture Award Level 1: From AUD $25.74 Gross Per Hour Where Introductory Classification Applies
Level 2: From AUD $26.44 Gross Per Hour
Typical Full-Time Hours: Approximately 38 Hours Per Week
Accommodation: Provided
Lunch: Provided During Working Days
Overtime: Available Where Required
Visa / Employment Assistance: For Eligible Candidates Only
PALM Scheme: Potential Route for Eligible Workers Only
Employer: TBA

APPLY FOR AGRICULTURAL JOBS IN AUSTRALIA

If you are interested in full-time agricultural, horticultural or farm employment in Australia, submit your application to be considered for available vacancies.

Candidates may be considered for work involving:

Planting
Crop maintenance
Harvesting
Fruit picking
Vegetable picking
Vineyard work
Orchard work
Greenhouse work
Sorting
Packing
General farm duties

International candidates will be assessed according to both employer requirements and their legal eligibility to work in Australia.

COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM AND WAIT TO BE CONTACTED IF YOUR APPLICATION IS SHORTLISTED.

Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview, employment, PALM scheme placement, sponsorship or Australian visa. Australia does not provide a general unskilled agricultural sponsorship route open to every nationality. PALM eligibility is restricted to workers who satisfy the scheme’s participating-country and individual requirements. Other applicants must possess or qualify for another visa carrying appropriate Australian work rights. Final employment is subject to employer selection, Australian workplace law, the applicable Award, immigration eligibility and any required government approvals.