Farm work in Donnybrook
South West, WA 6239
Donnybrook is a small orchard town inland from Bunbury with a long history of apple growing. Stone fruit comes off in summer and the apple harvest runs through autumn.
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.
| Stone fruit | Roughly December–March |
| Apples and pears | Roughly March–May |
Nov is usually quieter in Donnybrook, so line work up before you go.
Jobs near Donnybrook
No jobs listed within about 120 km of Donnybrook right now. Set a job alert for WA and you’ll hear first, or add your card so local farms can find you.
All WA jobs that count · Let farms find you
Does it count for my second year?
Yes. Farm work in postcode 6239 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 2.5 hours’ drive south of Perth, and around 30 minutes inland from Bunbury.
- Transwa’s SW2 coach runs from East Perth to Pemberton via Bunbury and Donnybrook.
- The Australind train between Perth and Bunbury returned in 2026. Check transwa.wa.gov.au for timetables and coach connections.
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 Donnybrook 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
Most orchards hire directly. Ask at farmgate stalls along the South Western Highway, check local Facebook groups for Donnybrook and the South West, and check the jobs near town further up this page.
Where to stay
Donnybrook is small, with a caravan park and limited rentals. Some people stay in Bunbury and drive in, which gives you more choice of beds.
Ask growers whether they have on-farm accommodation before you commit.
Phone and insurance
Mobile coverage drops off fast between farm towns, so check the coverage map for Donnybrook 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
- Donnybrook is easy to pair with Manjimup, about an hour south, where the apple harvest runs at the same time.
- Pink Lady apples are among the last to be picked, so work can carry on later into autumn.
Pack for the paddock
More in what to wear fruit picking and looking after your back.
Nearby farm towns
Questions about Donnybrook
Does farm work in Donnybrook count for the 88 days?
Yes. Farm work in postcode 6239 counts as specified work for both the 417 and 462 visas. Always check the exact postcode of the farm.
When is harvest season in Donnybrook?
The busiest time is usually March to May. Stone fruit: Roughly December–March. Apples and pears: Roughly March–May.
What is grown in Donnybrook?
Apples, Pears, Plums, Peaches, Nectarines.
How much do fruit pickers get paid in Donnybrook?
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 Donnybrook?
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 season in Donnybrook?
Roughly March to May. Later varieties can stretch it out a little, so ask growers what they’re picking and when.
Can I get to Donnybrook by public transport?
Yes, Transwa coaches stop there on the Perth to Pemberton route. Services aren’t frequent, so check the timetable and book ahead.
Is there work in Donnybrook outside apple season?
Summer stone fruit gives some work from about December. Outside those months, orchard jobs are fewer and mostly pruning and maintenance.
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
Affiliate links on this page may earn us a commission at no cost to you. More