Fruit Picking Jobs
2023 Season - Positions Now Available
PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE CONTACTING MT. NIMMEL BLUEBERRY FARM
PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE CONTACTING MT. NIMMEL BLUEBERRY FARM
Mt. Nimmel Blueberry Farm employs casual blueberry fruit pickers during daytime hours in the months of June to October.
Please DO NOT come to the orchard UNLESS you have been contacted for work.
Employee suitability
- We are unable to employ and sign off on Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417/462).
The farm is not located inside a regional area. This means we cannot sign for your 88 day farm work visas.
- Preference is given to workers with full-season availability.
- Due to physical demands of the job, you must be of reasonable fitness. The terrain has steep hills and uneven ground with reasonable amounts of uphill/downhill walking involved.
- We do not employ anyone under 18. No upwards limit depending on physical ability.
- You must be able to transport yourself. We are located 15 minutes drive from Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
Working conditions
- Fruit picking work is gentle physical outdoor work. The area between the rows of blueberry bushes is mown grass. You walk along your allocated rows of blueberries selecting the ripe fruit and gently placing them in a small bucket strapped to your waist. Blueberry bushes are kept pruned to about 1.5 metres high so there is little bending and no ladder work. However, it will often be hot and some people find it tedious.
- You will be exposed to possible sunlight and natural outdoor temperature variations of UV rating 0-12 and temperature 5-30 degrees centigrade.
Please DO NOT come to the orchard UNLESS you have been contacted for work
Work Hours
Approximately 08:30/09:00 - 16:00-
Predominantly Monday-Thursday. No weekends.
Blueberries cannot be picked when they are wet. Therefore, picking does not begin until the morning dew has dried from the berries. We allow a later start for those dropping off school children and an earlier finish if picking them up.
- There is no picking on wet or rainy days.
- Picking may end or start early depending fruit availability and may not be available every week of the season.
We give preference to workers who are prepared to work for all or most of the day and to work for all or most of the season.
Pay Rates
We pay on a piece rate per tray basis (the more berries you pick the more we pay you). An average competent picker should to earn 15% above the award rate.
Picking quality is extremely important. You will be trained so that you know how to pick and sort quality fruit. The first quality berry rate is only paid for first quality picking.
If you haven't picked blueberries before it usually takes 5-7 days to get your quality and speed up. New pickers should be prepared to give themselves at least a week, and not give up in the first day or so. Pickers find that improving quality and speed is more mental than physical - they are surprised how easy it becomes.
In short, the faster and better you pick, the more potential there is to earn. However, fast, low quality picking, is not acceptable.
Accommodation and Transport
There is no accommodation available on the orchard. However, there is plentiful accommodation on the Gold Coast, nearby Mudgeeraba and Mount Nimmel Lodge.
Mount Nimmel Lodge is a camping and caravan ground 2 km from the farm with full facilities: http://www.mtnimmellodge.com.au
- We are located 15 minutes drive from Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, Queensland.
There is no public transport so you will need your own form of transportation.
Clothing/Work Attire/What to bring
Days are usually sunny and you should dress for a day outdoors - long sleeved shirts, light coloured light fabrics and a broad hat are best. Covered shoes are MANDATORY for Occupational Health and Safety reasons. We recommend comfortable shoes.
Sunscreen is provided. Lunch is not provided and there are no places to purchase food nearby. Bring water.
Enquiries about Picking Work
If you wish to be considered for picking work you must already have accommodation in the area and you must have transport.
Checklist:
Orientation for Picking Work
If you are offered a position picking, you must first attend orientation and training.
If we ask you to come for orientation for picking, you must bring:
Please DO NOT come to the orchard UNLESS you have been contacted for work.
Last updated - 05 May 2023
Please DO NOT come to the orchard UNLESS you have been contacted for work.
Employee suitability
- We are unable to employ and sign off on Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417/462).
The farm is not located inside a regional area. This means we cannot sign for your 88 day farm work visas.
- Preference is given to workers with full-season availability.
- Due to physical demands of the job, you must be of reasonable fitness. The terrain has steep hills and uneven ground with reasonable amounts of uphill/downhill walking involved.
- We do not employ anyone under 18. No upwards limit depending on physical ability.
- You must be able to transport yourself. We are located 15 minutes drive from Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
Working conditions
- Fruit picking work is gentle physical outdoor work. The area between the rows of blueberry bushes is mown grass. You walk along your allocated rows of blueberries selecting the ripe fruit and gently placing them in a small bucket strapped to your waist. Blueberry bushes are kept pruned to about 1.5 metres high so there is little bending and no ladder work. However, it will often be hot and some people find it tedious.
- You will be exposed to possible sunlight and natural outdoor temperature variations of UV rating 0-12 and temperature 5-30 degrees centigrade.
Please DO NOT come to the orchard UNLESS you have been contacted for work
Work Hours
Approximately 08:30/09:00 - 16:00-
Predominantly Monday-Thursday. No weekends.
Blueberries cannot be picked when they are wet. Therefore, picking does not begin until the morning dew has dried from the berries. We allow a later start for those dropping off school children and an earlier finish if picking them up.
- There is no picking on wet or rainy days.
- Picking may end or start early depending fruit availability and may not be available every week of the season.
We give preference to workers who are prepared to work for all or most of the day and to work for all or most of the season.
Pay Rates
We pay on a piece rate per tray basis (the more berries you pick the more we pay you). An average competent picker should to earn 15% above the award rate.
Picking quality is extremely important. You will be trained so that you know how to pick and sort quality fruit. The first quality berry rate is only paid for first quality picking.
If you haven't picked blueberries before it usually takes 5-7 days to get your quality and speed up. New pickers should be prepared to give themselves at least a week, and not give up in the first day or so. Pickers find that improving quality and speed is more mental than physical - they are surprised how easy it becomes.
In short, the faster and better you pick, the more potential there is to earn. However, fast, low quality picking, is not acceptable.
Accommodation and Transport
There is no accommodation available on the orchard. However, there is plentiful accommodation on the Gold Coast, nearby Mudgeeraba and Mount Nimmel Lodge.
Mount Nimmel Lodge is a camping and caravan ground 2 km from the farm with full facilities: http://www.mtnimmellodge.com.au
- We are located 15 minutes drive from Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, Queensland.
There is no public transport so you will need your own form of transportation.
Clothing/Work Attire/What to bring
Days are usually sunny and you should dress for a day outdoors - long sleeved shirts, light coloured light fabrics and a broad hat are best. Covered shoes are MANDATORY for Occupational Health and Safety reasons. We recommend comfortable shoes.
Sunscreen is provided. Lunch is not provided and there are no places to purchase food nearby. Bring water.
Enquiries about Picking Work
If you wish to be considered for picking work you must already have accommodation in the area and you must have transport.
Checklist:
- Before emailing us, please READ ALL details on this website.
- Ensure your suitability for the position (age, fitness, visa requirments).
- You will be required to fill out a Tax File Number Declaration form. If you do not have a Tax File Number (TFN) you WILL NOT be employed. No exceptions.
Orientation for Picking Work
If you are offered a position picking, you must first attend orientation and training.
If we ask you to come for orientation for picking, you must bring:
- Tax File Number
- Superannuation details
- Bank account details
- Clothing and workwear as advised above
- Food and water.
Please DO NOT come to the orchard UNLESS you have been contacted for work.
Last updated - 05 May 2023