Mango Picking Jobs Australia
Tropical work in NT, QLD and WA. Earn $200–350/day during the Oct–Jan harvest. Most farms hire backpackers on Working Holiday Visas.
Why Mango Picking?
Tropical Lifestyle
Work in Australia's most beautiful tropical regions — Darwin, Cairns, Kununurra. Beaches, gorges, and the outback on your days off.
Concentrated Season
Most farms run intense 6–10 week harvests. You can complete a big chunk of your 88 days in one block, then move on.
Pay Rates Explained
Hourly: $25–32/hr (most farms)
- Casual hourly: $25.41–32/hr (Horticulture Award + casual loading)
- Piece rate (some farms): $0.40–0.80/kg or $50–80/bin
- Typical day: 8–10 hours = $200–350
If a farm pays piece rate it must still meet hourly minimum wage. Keep your own time sheet — payslip discrepancies are common at small farms.
Mango Picking Tips
- • Long sleeves: mango sap burns skin in sunlight (phototoxic)
- • Gloves and glasses: sap squirts when picking — protect eyes
- • Start early: harvests usually run 5am–1pm to avoid afternoon heat
- • Hydration: tropical heat = 4+ litres of water per day
- • Apply 6–8 weeks early: good farms fill spots fast
Top Mango Picking Regions
Season: Oct–December
Pay: $25–32/hr
Largest mango region in Australia. All of NT counts for 88 days. Darwin is the hub — fly in and connect to farms inland.
Season: October–December
Pay: $25–30/hr
Major mango and tomato region. Lots of backpacker hostels. Easy to find work.
Mareeba, QLD
Season: September–November
Pay: $25–30/hr
Atherton Tablelands — cooler than the coast. Mangoes, avocados, and coffee.
Kununurra / Carnarvon, WA
Season: September–December
Pay: $26–32/hr
Remote but well-paid. Long distances between farms — own car helps.
What to Know Before You Go
Hot, Sticky, Physical Work
Mango harvest is one of the more demanding picking jobs. Expect 35°C+ days, sap on your arms, heavy bins, and 5am starts.
- • Bring at least 2 long-sleeve work shirts
- • Wide-brim hat is essential, not optional
- • Most farms expect a 4–6 week minimum commitment
- • Some farms provide on-site accommodation ($120–180/wk)
Counts Toward 88 Days
Mango picking is specified work for the second-year WHV. All of NT, plus regional QLD and WA postcodes count. Keep payslips and a TFN-declared employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is mango season in Australia?
How much do mango pickers earn?
Do I need experience to pick mangoes?
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Find Mango Picking Jobs
Browse ABN-verified mango farms across NT, QLD and WA.