FRUIT
PICKING
The job
Fruit picking is strenuous and physically challenging. It involves climbing up and down ladders, carrying picking bags that can weigh up to 15 kg and moving ladders around that weigh approximately 15 kg. It isn't suitable for all people, but anyone who is motivated and in good physical condition can pick fruit.
New pickers are trained in how to pick fruit without causing damage. Fruit is picked according to colour and size specifications set by management.
The most successful fruit pickers are the consistent ones who have the patience to stick it out for the first few days and stay on for more than 2 weeks and develop their fitness and speed over time.
Backpackers who have worked here in the past have made the following comments about fruit picking –
“Picking was bloody hard work to start with. Gets easier and certainly keeps you fit! Worked with some great people and saw far too many pears to last a lifetime! We have worked hard enough in a month to save enough money to fund our trip around OZ”. Ele and Lee, U.K.
“It was a wonderful experience being at Plunkett Orchards. Nice people and very comfortable accommodation. Picking was hard at the beginning but I later enjoyed it and had fun. I’ll be back again next time”. Patricia, Botswana.
“Don’t expect to be picking like the old hands on your first day…….. that was probably what helped us get through the first week where some failed. Have thoroughly enjoyed our time here”. Lynette, U.K.
“Thanks Plunkett Orchards for a great experience. Good times if you stick it out”. Tim, Canada.
When
Pear and apple picking is from about January 22nd until April although the exact starting and finishing dates vary from year to year.
How to Apply:
Plunkett Orchard utilizes Specialized Orchard Contractors to meet our fluctuating orchard labour requirements. If you would like to work in the orchard you will need to register with Everlasting Agricultural Management (EAM) by entering your details in the “Application Form for Fruit Picking Job Seekers” available on their website http://www.eamanagement.com.au/index.htm.
Pay rates
Pay is based on the number of bins picked. A ‘bin’ is a wooden fruit bin that holds approximately 400 kg of fruit. The pay rate varies with different fruit, but as a guide, the rate is approximately $30.00 per bin. New pickers take a couple of days to develop their picking technique, during which time 2 to 4 bins per day would be expected. More experienced pickers can achieve anything between 4 and 10 bins per day. Some fruit varieties are paid on a hourly basis.
Payment
All employees need to provide a tax file number and Australian bank account details. Payments are made once a week (Thursday) directly into personal bank accounts. There are no payments by cash or cheques.
Hours
Pickers are expected to work 6 days a week (Sunday to Friday) from about 6.30am until at least 2.00pm. It is preferable to start early and finish early to avoid working in the afternoon heat. Often Fridays are only a half-day.
What you need to bring
1. Long-sleeved shirt
2. Broad brimmed hat
3. Sunglasses
4. Well-fitting, non-slip, covered footwear.
5. Long pants or long shorts.
6. Sunscreen
Occupational Health and Safety
Before starting work, new employees are given information about safe work procedures. Detailed information about sun protection, ladder safety and tractor safety is provided and it is expected that employees adhere to these directives and work in a safe and responsible manner.
As part of this process, employees must advise management of any pre-existing injuries.
FRUIT GRADING/ PACKING
The job
During the season we have several positions available for apple and pear grading which involves visually assessing quality of fruit passing over conveyors and separating good fruit from blemished or misshapen fruit.
Fruit grading is less physically demanding than picking, but it requires concentration and long periods of standing.
A significant amount of training is given to new grading employees, and therefore the minimum period of work available for grading positions is 4 weeks.
When
Limited fruit grading positions are available in February and March.
Hours
Fruit grading lasts for approximately 7 weeks, 6 days a week. There are several grading shifts per day with variable start and finish times depending on seasonal conditions, but generally shifts are between 7 and 9 hours each day.
Pay rates
$17.89 per hour as per the 'Horticultural Industry (AWU) Award 2000 rates effective from 01/10/08
How to Apply:
We do not assist with visa applications. For information about obtaining working visas for Australia, please refer to the immigration department – www.immi.gov.au.
Unfortunately we currently have plenty of packing shed people, so we are unable to help you find work at this time. You could try the Shepparton harvest labour office (http://www.cvgt.com.au/HarvestLabour/) to see what they have available.