Farm work in Batlow & Tumut
Snowy Valleys, NSW 2730
Batlow is a cool-climate apple town in the hills of the Snowy Valleys, about half an hour from Tumut. The apple harvest runs through autumn, with pruning and orchard work in the cooler months.
What’s grown here
When the work is
Peak season is usually March to May. Seasons move with the weather, so call ahead and aim to arrive a week or two before the rush.
| Apple and pear harvest | Roughly March–May |
| Pruning | Roughly June–August |
| Fruit thinning | Roughly November–January |
Right now (Nov) is usually a busy time in Batlow & Tumut.
Jobs near Batlow & Tumut
No jobs listed within about 120 km of Batlow & Tumut right now. Set a job alert for NSW and you’ll hear first, or add your card so local farms can find you.
All NSW jobs that count · Let farms find you
Does it count for my second year?
Yes. Farm work in postcode 2730 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
- Roughly 2 to 2.5 hours’ drive from Canberra, about 1.5 hours from Wagga Wagga, and around 5 hours from Sydney.
- NSW TrainLink coaches link Batlow and Tumut with trains at Wagga Wagga and Cootamundra. Coach timetables in the area were being reworked in 2026, so check transportnsw.info before you travel. Seats must be booked ahead.
- Tumut is about 30 minutes north of Batlow.
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 Batlow & Tumut 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.
Where to stay
Snowy Valleys Council opened worker accommodation at the Batlow Caravan Park in October 2023, adding about 60 dorm-style beds for seasonal workers. It replaced some of the beds lost in the 2019–20 bushfires. Contact the caravan park for prices and availability.
Tumut is bigger and has more rentals and motels, but you’ll need a car to get to the orchards.
Finding work here
Most orchards hire directly, and many start looking for pickers in February. Call or email growers early, and check local Facebook groups for Batlow and Tumut.
Check the jobs near town further up this page too.
Batlow CiderFest
The town holds CiderFest each autumn, usually in May, to celebrate the apple harvest. Check Visit Snowy Valleys for this year’s date.
Phone and insurance
Mobile coverage drops off fast between farm towns, so check the coverage map for Batlow & Tumut 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
- Batlow sits high in the hills, so autumn mornings are cold and winter can bring frost and snow. Pack warm layers.
- Apple picking is careful work. Bruised fruit gets rejected, so speed comes second at first.
Pack for the paddock
More in what to wear fruit picking and looking after your back.
Nearby farm towns
Young, NSW
Peak: November to December
Griffith, NSW
Peak: February to April
Orange, NSW
Peak: February to May
Questions about Batlow & Tumut
Does farm work in Batlow & Tumut count for the 88 days?
Yes. Farm work in postcode 2730 counts as specified work for both the 417 and 462 visas. Always check the exact postcode of the farm.
When is harvest season in Batlow & Tumut?
The busiest time is usually March to May. Apple and pear harvest: Roughly March–May. Pruning: Roughly June–August. Fruit thinning: Roughly November–January.
What is grown in Batlow & Tumut?
Apples, Pears.
How much do fruit pickers get paid in Batlow & Tumut?
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 Batlow & Tumut?
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 apple picking season in Batlow?
Roughly March to May, depending on the variety and the weather. Growers often line up pickers in February, so get in touch before the season starts.
Is there accommodation for pickers in Batlow?
Yes. The Batlow Caravan Park has purpose-built worker accommodation that opened in 2023. It can fill up at harvest time, so book ahead.
How cold does it get in Batlow?
Cold enough to need a proper jacket. Autumn mornings are crisp, and winter brings frosts and sometimes snow. Pruning season means working outside in it.
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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