Farm work in Ayr & the Burdekin
Burdekin, QLD 4807
Ayr is the main town of the Burdekin, a flat, irrigated delta south of Townsville that’s known for sugar cane, melons, mangoes and winter vegetables. Most of the picking and packing work runs through the dry season, from about autumn to the end of the year.
What’s grown here
When the work is
Peak season is usually May to November. Seasons move with the weather, so call ahead and aim to arrive a week or two before the rush.
| Vegetables (capsicum, zucchini, pumpkin, eggplant) | Roughly May–November |
| Melons | Roughly May–December |
| Mangoes | Roughly November–December |
| Cane crushing season | Roughly June–November |
Right now (Nov) is usually a busy time in Ayr & the Burdekin.
Jobs near Ayr & the Burdekin
No jobs listed within about 120 km of Ayr & the Burdekin right now. Set a job alert for QLD and you’ll hear first, or add your card so local farms can find you.
All QLD jobs that count · Let farms find you
Does it count for my second year?
Yes. Farm work in postcode 4807 counts as specified work for both the 417 and 462 visas. The job also has to be eligible work, paid at award rates, with payslips.
Log every job in the 88-day tracker so you know exactly where you stand.
UK passport holder? If you apply on or after 1 July 2024 you don’t need specified work for a second or third 417 visa. 88 days explained
What you should be paid
Farm work is covered by the Horticulture Award. You’re paid by the hour or by the piece (per bin, bucket or tray). Since April 2022, piece-rate workers must still earn at least the minimum hourly rate for every hour worked, and casuals get a casual loading on top.
- You should get a payslip for every pay, showing your hours or pieces, the rate and your super.
- Never pay a fee to get a job, and walk away from cash-in-hand work with no payslips: those days won’t count for your visa.
- Unsure about a job? Check the rate with the Fair Work pay calculator before you start.
Getting there
- About an hour’s drive south of Townsville on the Bruce Highway.
- Queensland Rail’s Spirit of Queensland (Brisbane to Cairns) stops at Ayr, and Greyhound coaches stop in town.
- Fly into Townsville, then take the coach or train south.
Imoova
Campervan and car relocations from $1 a day, often with fuel included. Fixed dates, so grab one when it suits.
JUCY
Campervan hire for the road-trip-sleep-anywhere life.
Where to stay
Working hostels in Ayr & the Burdekin often line up farm work and drive you there. Read recent reviews and ask how long guests wait for work before you pay. Caravan parks and share houses are cheaper for longer stays.
Before you hand over money, ask:
- How many guests are waiting for work right now, and for how long?
- Is there a bond or “job deposit”? (A fee for a job is a red flag.)
- Will the farm give me payslips, and is it in an eligible postcode?
Hostelworld
The biggest range of hostels in every Aussie city and beach town.
Booking.com
Private rooms, motels and longer stays when you need a break from dorms.
Finding work here
Burdekin Shire Council runs a “Pick the Burdekin” page for job seekers. It lists picking and packing work in capsicum, eggplant, mango, pumpkin, melons and zucchini, and links to the Queensland Government’s Pick Queensland information.
The council page names Ayr Backpackers as the contact for work-and-stay packages. The Queensland jobs on Backpack Aus are listed further up this page.
Where to stay
Visit Burdekin, the local tourism site, lists places to stay around Ayr and Home Hill. Working hostels fill up once the vegetable season gets going, so ask how long guests are waiting for work before you book.
Read recent reviews before you pay a bond or a week in advance.
The cane season
Sugar cane is the biggest crop here, but harvesting and crushing are mostly done by machine, so there aren’t many picking jobs in cane. The Home Hill Harvest Festival marks the end of the crushing season, with its grand parade usually in early November.
Phone and insurance
Mobile coverage drops off fast between farm towns, so check the coverage map for Ayr & the Burdekin before you choose a plan. Your employer’s workers compensation covers injuries at work; travel insurance is for everything else.
Lyca Mobile
Cheap prepaid plans with no contract, for once you’re settled.
SafetyWing
Monthly travel medical cover you can start and stop as you go.
Local tips
- Days are warm even in the dry season, and summer is hot and humid. Start early and carry plenty of water.
- A lot of work is out of town on farms around Ayr, Home Hill and Giru, so ask about transport before you take a job.
Pack for the paddock
More in what to wear fruit picking and looking after your back.
Nearby farm towns
Bowen, QLD
Peak: May to November
Tully & Innisfail, QLD
Peak: All year
Mareeba & the Tablelands, QLD
Peak: October to January
Questions about Ayr & the Burdekin
Does farm work in Ayr & the Burdekin count for the 88 days?
Yes. Farm work in postcode 4807 counts as specified work for both the 417 and 462 visas. Always check the exact postcode of the farm.
When is harvest season in Ayr & the Burdekin?
The busiest time is usually May to November. Vegetables (capsicum, zucchini, pumpkin, eggplant): Roughly May–November. Melons: Roughly May–December. Mangoes: Roughly November–December. Cane crushing season: Roughly June–November.
What is grown in Ayr & the Burdekin?
Sugar cane, Melons, Mangoes, Capsicum, Zucchini, Pumpkins, Eggplant, Tomatoes.
How much do fruit pickers get paid in Ayr & the Burdekin?
Farm work falls under the Horticulture Award. You’re paid by the hour or by the piece (per bin or bucket), and since April 2022 piece-rate workers must still earn at least the minimum hourly rate for the hours they work. Check your rate with the Fair Work pay calculator.
Is it worth staying in a working hostel in Ayr & the Burdekin?
It can be, because many line up work and transport. Before you pay, ask how many guests are waiting for work, whether there’s a bond or deposit, and never pay a fee for a job.
When is the best time to look for farm work in Ayr?
Most vegetable and melon work runs from about May to November, with mangoes late in the year. Seasons move with the weather, so arrive at the start and ask around.
Do I need a car in the Burdekin?
It helps a lot. Farms are spread around Ayr, Home Hill and Giru. Some working hostels drive guests to work, so ask what’s included and what it costs.
How far is Ayr from Townsville?
About an hour’s drive. Coaches and the Spirit of Queensland train run between the two, so you can fly into Townsville and come down by road or rail.
Read next
- 88 days explained: what counts
- How to find farm work
- Harvest calendar: what’s picked when
- Working hostels: how to pick a good one
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