Farm Work in New South Wales

About new south wales

NSW has the most diverse agriculture of any Australian state. The climate runs from subtropical on the north coast to cool temperate in the southern highlands, with dry inland plains growing grain and cotton out west. That means more variety in crops, seasons and work types than you'll find anywhere else.

The downside is that there's no single dominant farm work hub like Bundaberg in QLD or Shepparton in VIC. You'll need to pick your region based on what's in season and what kind of work you want.

Harvest Calendar

Key Regions

Griffith and the Riverina

The biggest farm work region in NSW. Grapes, citrus, stone fruit and rice spread the work across most of the year. Harvest runs February to May, then pruning work fills the winter months from June to August. Griffith connects naturally with the Mildura grape belt just across the Victorian border.

Coffs Harbour and the North Coast

The blueberry industry around Coffs Harbour has grown massively in recent years. The season runs June to February, with peak demand from August to December. That's one of the longest single-crop seasons in Australia. Coffs is on the coast with a decent town to live in, which makes it popular with backpackers who want beach time between shifts.

Young

Known as the Cherry Capital of Australia. The season is short, roughly late November to late December, but the money is good. Fast pickers on piece rates can earn $300 or more per day during peak weeks. If you can time it right, Young is worth the detour.

Orange and the Central Tablelands

Cherries, apples and stone fruit from November to April. Orange is about three and a half hours west of Sydney, in the cool-climate highlands. The orchards are spread across the surrounding area, so a car helps.

Pay

Piece rates are common across most NSW picking work. The casual minimum is $30.91 per hour. Cherry picking at Young pays the best for short bursts. Blueberry picking at Coffs Harbour is steady and pays well for fast pickers. Grape work in Griffith is a mix of hourly (pruning) and piece rate (harvest).

Full details in our farm work pay rates guide.

Getting Around

NSW is well connected by road and rail. NSW TrainLink services reach Orange, Griffith and Coffs Harbour from Sydney. But like everywhere else, getting from town to the farm each day usually requires a car. Working hostels are less common in NSW than in QLD, so having your own transport matters more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best farm work in New South Wales?

Griffith and the Riverina are the biggest overall, with grapes, citrus and stone fruit across a long season. Coffs Harbour has the longest single season thanks to blueberries (June to February). Young is the best short-term option for high pay during cherry season in November and December.

When is cherry season in Young NSW?

Late November to late December, roughly six weeks. The window is short but the money is good. Fast pickers on piece rates can earn $300 or more per day during peak weeks.

Is there farm work near Sydney?

The Hunter Valley has wine grape harvest from February to April, about two hours north. For more consistent work, Orange is about three and a half hours west, and Coffs Harbour is five hours north.

What is the blueberry season in Coffs Harbour?

June to February, with peak demand from August to December. The industry has grown massively in recent years, so there's strong demand for pickers during peak months.

Griffith connects naturally with Victoria's Mildura grape belt. Or head north to Queensland for year-round tropical crops.

See the full harvest calendar or read our 88 days guide to plan your route.

Where are the new south wales jobs?