Cherry Picking Jobs Australia

Q: How much can I earn cherry picking?

Piece rates are $8-12/bucket. Beginners earn $120-200/day. Experienced pickers earn $250-350/day. Fast pickers can earn $350-400+/day.

Highest piece-rate earnings in fruit picking. Earn $8-12/bucket, $300-400/day for fast pickers. Short season Nov-Jan.

Find Cherry Picking Jobs Track Your 88 Days

$8-12

Per Bucket

$300-400

Per Day (Fast)

Nov-Jan

Season

✓ 88 Days

Visa Eligible

Why Cherry Picking?

Highest Earnings

Cherry picking offers the highest piece-rate potential of any fruit picking job. Fast pickers earn $300-400+/day.

Light Work

Cherries are small and light. Less physically demanding than bananas or melons. Pleasant working conditions.

Pay Rates Explained

Piece Rate: $8-12 per Bucket

Beginners: 15-20 buckets/day = $120-200/day
Experienced: 25-35 buckets/day = $250-350/day
Fast pickers: 35-40+ buckets/day = $350-400+/day

Must still meet minimum wage ($25.41/hr). Farms track hours worked.

Maximizing Your Earnings

• Start early: Best cherries are picked in the morning
• Use both hands: Pick with both hands to double speed
• Quality matters: Damaged cherries may be rejected
• Learn the technique: Watch experienced pickers
• Stay focused: Minimize breaks to maximize buckets

Top Cherry Picking Regions

Orange, NSW

Season: November–January

Pay: $8-12/bucket

Largest cherry region in NSW. Lots of farms. Cool climate cherries.

Young, NSW

Season: November–January

Pay: $8-12/bucket

Cherry capital of Australia. High-quality cherries. Very competitive.

Shepparton, VIC

Season: November–December

Pay: $8-12/bucket

Major fruit region. Cherry and stone fruit work available.

Adelaide Hills, SA

Season: November–December

Pay: $8-12/bucket

Premium cherries. Beautiful region. Good lifestyle.

Important Tips

Very Short Season

Cherry season is only 6-8 weeks (Nov-Jan). Arrive early to secure a job. Farms fill up quickly.

• Arrive in late October/early November
• Apply to multiple farms at once
• Be ready to start immediately
• Have accommodation sorted in advance

Counts Toward 88 Days

Cherry picking is specified work that counts toward your 88 days for visa extension. Keep all payslips and employment records.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I earn cherry picking?

Piece rates are $8-12/bucket. Beginners earn $120-200/day (15-20 buckets). Experienced pickers earn $250-350/day (25-35 buckets). Fast pickers can earn $350-400+/day (35-40+ buckets).

When is cherry picking season?

Cherry season runs from November to January, with peak harvest in December. The season is very short (6-8 weeks), so arrive early in late October or early November to secure a job.

Do I need experience?

No experience required, but experienced pickers earn significantly more on piece rate. Your speed improves quickly with practice. Watch experienced pickers and learn the technique.

Find Cherry Picking Jobs

Search ABN-verified cherry farms. Season starts November!

Search Cherry Jobs Track Your 88 Days

Related Guides

Fruit Picking Jobs

All fruits, regions, and pay rates.

Farm Work Pay Rates

State-by-state salary breakdown.

Best Time for Farm Work

Month-by-month harvest calendar.

Pay Rates Explained

Piece Rate: $8-12 per Bucket

Beginners: 15-20 buckets/day = $120-200/day
Experienced: 25-35 buckets/day = $250-350/day
Fast pickers: 35-40+ buckets/day = $350-400+/day

Must still meet minimum wage ($25.41/hr). Farms track hours worked.

Maximizing Your Earnings

• Start early: Best cherries are picked in the morning
• Use both hands: Pick with both hands to double speed
• Quality matters: Damaged cherries may be rejected
• Learn the technique: Watch experienced pickers
• Stay focused: Minimize breaks to maximize buckets

Top Cherry Picking Regions

Orange, NSW

Season: November–January

Pay: $8-12/bucket

Largest cherry region in NSW. Lots of farms. Cool climate cherries.

Young, NSW

Season: November–January

Pay: $8-12/bucket

Cherry capital of Australia. High-quality cherries. Very competitive.

Shepparton, VIC

Season: November–December

Pay: $8-12/bucket

Major fruit region. Cherry and stone fruit work available.

Adelaide Hills, SA

Season: November–December

Pay: $8-12/bucket

Premium cherries. Beautiful region. Good lifestyle.

Important Tips

Very Short Season

Cherry season is only 6-8 weeks (Nov-Jan). Arrive early to secure a job. Farms fill up quickly.

• Arrive in late October/early November
• Apply to multiple farms at once
• Be ready to start immediately
• Have accommodation sorted in advance

Counts Toward 88 Days

Cherry picking is specified work that counts toward your 88 days for visa extension. Keep all payslips and employment records.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I earn cherry picking?

Piece rates are $8-12/bucket. Beginners earn $120-200/day (15-20 buckets). Experienced pickers earn $250-350/day (25-35 buckets). Fast pickers can earn $350-400+/day (35-40+ buckets).

When is cherry picking season?

Cherry season runs from November to January, with peak harvest in December. The season is very short (6-8 weeks), so arrive early in late October or early November to secure a job.

Do I need experience?

No experience required, but experienced pickers earn significantly more on piece rate. Your speed improves quickly with practice. Watch experienced pickers and learn the technique.