Positions Vacant

Finding avocado work

Hello! Welcome to the Australian avocado industry. First up, here at Avocados Australia, we’re a not-for-profit representing the interests of the avocado industry; we don’t deal directly with arranging labour for farms and orchards BUT we can help you out with background and where to look for work in the nation’s orchards and packsheds. We might be a bit biased, but we think our industry has orchards in some of the nicest parts of the country.

Australia's avocado harvest seasons

Click on the headings below for more detailed information and links on how to find work in our friendly avocado industry.

Did we mention you’ll be working in some of the most beautiful parts of Australia? And because of the location of the growing regions, if you want, you can work your way around almost the whole country!

Experience is not always necessary (except in those instances where you need a certain type of license or ticket to operate machinery). Most job ads will tell you what sort of tasks you will be performing, and what skills are preferable.

Growers and packshed operators will provide on-site training for the work being undertaken, and you will also be taken through a workplace health and safety induction, and be informed about the orchard’s COVIDsafe plan. Please abide by all of the requirements of the COVIDsafe plan. Avocado orchards and packsheds are in rural and regional areas, and we all take the safety of those in the industry, staff members, our families and our communities very seriously.

Let’s not beat around the avocado tree. Picking and packing jobs are physical work and it may take some time for your body to adjust to the different muscle groups being used. If you are relatively fit, you can certainly consider work in the orchard or the packshed.

The avocado industry is covered by the Horticulture Award 2020. You can read the full Award here, or you can use the Fair Work Ombudsman calculator (click here for more information on pay rates or click here to go directly to the calculator). And again, the job ad should give you some indication of rates, and if they are looking to pay hourly or piece rates. Employers can do a combination of piece rate and hourly rate shifts.

Here’s some important points for you:

  • the piece rate is paid on how much you pick, pack or prune each day
  • there should not be group rates; piece rates are based on what you pick yourself
  • to work on piece rates only you must have a written and signed piecework agreement
  • piece rates vary on a number of factors including the availability of fruit, density of planting and the weather conditions.

For more on piece rates, please read this information from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

As you grow to be a good picker you have the opportunity to earn more than the base rate in the Horticulture Award. For horticulture the average piece rate worker must be able to earn more than 15% more per hour than they would on the minimum hourly rate.

If you are just starting out and learning to pick, keep in mind that you will not earn as much as experienced workers who will be able to pick faster. If you are new to horticulture, consider working on the hourly rate until you’ve learnt the ropes. If you can, speak to those who have already worked in horticulture about their experiences.

Harvest Trail

Both farm employers and labour hire companies will list their vacancies on the Harvest Trail: https://jobsearch.gov.au/job/search. In the search box, type “avocado” or your preferred town, eg “Mareeba” or “Coffs Harbour”. Harvest Trail also offers a search specific to the harvest trail, here: https://jobsearch.gov.au/harvest/search.

The Harvest Trail is also on social media (Facebook Page – National Harvest Labour Information Service – facebook.com/National-Harvest-Labour-Information-Service-133019196865847/). And the toll free number for the NHLIS is 1800 062 332.

Avocado Directory

Our Avocados Australia Avocado Directory does list some labour hire companies and services that may be of use. The directory is being constantly updated with new listings, and businesses that service the avocado industry are encouraged to list here. If you click here, there are several labour hire firms listed in our Avocado Directory. One of them may be able to assist in your search for general industry work. (If that direct link does not work, search under “labour” in the Avocado Directory.)

Australian Government job hub

The Australian Government has set up a jobs hub you can customise by state and industry (for horticulture positions, select “Food Production/Agriculture/Horticulture”. Click this link: dese.gov.au/covid-19/jobs-hub/find-employers-hiring-now

Job boards

There are a large number of national job boards, but a few you can try are:

Check out the section below for state-based hubs and the government relocation assistance schemes that are available.

Also, the Fair Work Ombudsman has information on working on the Harvest Trail. You should definitely give this a read for more information on your workplace rights, knowing what you should be paid and keeping your own records: fairwork.gov.au/horticulture-showcase/working-the-harvest-trail.

Ag Jobs Queensland

To search for agricultural jobs in Queensland click on this link: https://www.agjobsqueensland.com.au/

There is currently no Australian Government assistance available

As of 30 June 2022, the Australian Government stopped providing relocation assistance to agricultural workers. If you need assistance with your relocation costs we recommend that you talk to your employment agency or contact the Harvest Trail Information Service on 1800 062 332 for assistance. They can let you know what options are available.

Western Australia: The WA Government has launched an initiative to connect jobseekers with opportunities. Please note, this initiative exists to provide information only and is not a recruitment service. Links to recruitment services can be found on the site https://studium.work/jobsinfoodandag

  • The Western Australian Government also has a Regional Travel and Accommodation Support Scheme, click here.

Queensland: The Queensland Government has also launched an initiative to connect jobseekers with opportunities. Check out the #pickqld site and search under #pickqld on social media.

  • The Queensland Government has revamped its #pickqld program, click here for payment details, and click here for more about working in ag in Queensland.

New South Wales: The NSW Government has launched Help Harvest NSW to connect unemployed workers with farm work opportunities across NSW. Take a look at the site and see what job opportunities are around the corner, visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19/help-harvest-nsw. You can also search via #HelpHarvestNSW on social media.

South Australia: The South Australian Government has launched a job hub for seasonal work: seasonaljobs.sa.gov.au/. PIRSA is also posting some job ads to the department’s Facebook feed here and you can search under SeasonalJobSA and #GetASeasonalJobSA as well.

Victoria: The Victorian Government has launched a website that might be of use: vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria.

Tasmania: Tasmania encourages you to look for opportunities via the Harvest Trail (links above) but DPIPWE provides some great information about working on the harvest trail here and a seasonal crop chart here.

There are currently no border closures.