Listing status (checked 10 November 2026): all three vacancies below were live on Workforce Australia, the Australian Government's job board, when we checked on 10 November 2026. Workforce Australia lists closing dates of 16 November 2026 (Hillwood) and 18 November 2026 (Costa and CoreStaff). After those dates the links may stop working.
Harvest and farm work in regional Australia: three open vacancies (November 2026)
These are seasonal fruit-picking and farm roles from established Australian growers and a labour-hire firm. None of them offers visa sponsorship. Each advert says you must already have the right to work in Australia. They are relevant if you hold, or are applying for, a Working Holiday (417) or Work and Holiday (462) visa, or another visa with work rights.
1. Costa: harvest and farm workers and packers, Emerald, Queensland
- Employer: Costa (posted on Workforce Australia under the name "AgriExchange"; the advert and the application link are Costa's own)
- Location: Emerald region, QLD 4720
- Positions: up to 750, as expressions of interest for the 2027 citrus season. Intakes start from January, the main season runs about April to December, and roles generally last 6 to 9 months.
- Contract: casual, seasonal. Up to 38 hours a week at peak, and hours are not guaranteed.
- Pay as advertised: Horticulture Award 2020. The Level 1 adult casual rate is $32.18 an hour, and Level 2 (3+ months' horticulture experience) is $33.05 an hour. Most picking is paid by piece rate with a minimum wage guarantee.
- Sponsorship: not offered. Applicants must "hold valid working rights in Australia".
- Apply: Costa careers page (job no. 2026-3506) | Workforce Australia listing
2. CoreStaff: fruit farm workers (60 positions), Shepparton region, Victoria
- Employer: CORESTAFF TAS PTY LTD (labour hire), placing workers at a commercial fruit-growing operation
- Location: Shepparton region, VIC 3630
- Contract: casual seasonal assignment starting December 2026 for about 9 months, with a minimum of 30 hours a week
- Pay as advertised: $32.18 an hour including 25% casual loading, under the Horticulture Award 2020 (MA000028). Overtime and penalty rates are paid under the Award.
- Duties: picking, pruning, sorting, grading and packing, and general farm maintenance. Experience is desirable but not essential, and training is provided.
- Sponsorship: not offered. Applicants "must have the legal right to work in Australia for the duration of the position".
- Apply: online through Workforce Australia
3. Hillwood Farm Services: farm hands, berry picking and packing, Kuitpo, South Australia
- Employer: Hillwood Farm Services Pty Ltd (Hillwood Berries)
- Location: 722 Brookman Road, Kuitpo SA, plus other sites within 50 km
- Positions: 200 (as listed on Workforce Australia)
- Contract: casual, December 2026 to June 2027. Typical hours are between 6am and 6pm, up to six days a week, and hours are not guaranteed.
- Pay as advertised: Hillwood Farm Services Enterprise Agreement 2026. Level 1 is $25.75 an hour and Level 2 is $26.45 an hour. Picking and packing may be piecework under a piecework agreement. These are lower than the casual rates in the two adverts above, and the advert does not say whether a 25% casual loading is added on top. Ask Hillwood in writing before you accept. For reference, the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage for award- and agreement-free adults at $26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026, with a 25% loading for casuals. Award and enterprise-agreement rates are set separately.
- Sponsorship: not mentioned in the advert
- Apply: through the employer's application form linked from the Workforce Australia listing
Will this count towards a second Working Holiday visa?
Harvest work ("plant and animal cultivation") in regional Australia is a listed type of specified work. Home Affairs says a second visa needs at least 3 months (88 calendar days) of it. Whether a job counts depends on the work postcode, so check each postcode against the official Home Affairs list for your visa subclass before you rely on it. Since 1 July 2024, UK passport holders applying for a second or third 417 visa do not need to complete specified work at all.
Details can change after posting. Always confirm pay, contract terms and whether your visa allows the work directly with the employer before you accept. Genuine employers do not charge a fee to apply.