How to Find Regional and Farm Work in Australia Safely
- 20 hours ago
- 8 min read
Last Updated: 20 August 2026
Looking for regional or farm work in Australia?
For many Working Holiday Makers, regional work is more than just a way to earn money while travelling. It may also be an important step toward applying for a second or third Working Holiday Visa Australia, depending on your visa subclass, passport country, work type, location, and current Department of Home Affairs rules.
The challenge is that many travellers waste weeks searching in the wrong places, relying only on social media, or accepting jobs without checking whether the employer is legitimate.
This guide explains how to find legitimate regional and farm work in Australia, how to avoid common scams, and what to check before accepting a job.
Key Overview
Key Point | Details |
Who this guide is for | Working Holiday Makers planning to work in regional Australia, including Subclass 417 and Subclass 462 visa holders |
Work types covered | Farm work, harvest work, fruit picking, packing, pruning, agriculture, and other regional jobs |
Why it matters | Regional or specified work may help some visa holders become eligible for a second or third Working Holiday visa |
Where to search | Workforce Australia, backpacker hostels, traveller communities, regional Facebook groups, and legitimate labour hire agencies |
What to verify | Employer name, ABN, location, pay rate, contract, payslips, accommodation, and transport costs |
Red flags | Placement fees, unclear employer details, unpaid full-day trials, unrealistic wages, and requests for personal documents too early |
Official sources | Department of Home Affairs, Workforce Australia, Fair Work Ombudsman, and ABN Lookup |
5 Reliable Ways to Find Regional and Farm Work in Australia
1. Start With Your Backpacker Network
One of the best ways to find regional or farm work in Australia is through other backpackers.
Many farm jobs are shared by word of mouth before they are posted online. Backpackers who are already working in a harvest town often know which farms are hiring, which hostels have job connections, and which employers should be avoided.
You can ask around at:
Backpacker hostels
Facebook groups
WhatsApp communities
Local harvest town groups
Working Holiday Maker communities
Useful search terms may include:
Working Holiday Australia
Work in Bundaberg
Work in Mildura
Fruit Picking Jobs Australia
Farm Work Australia
Harvest Jobs Australia
When asking for recommendations, do not only ask whether a job is available. Ask for the employer name, ABN, pay rate, type of work, accommodation details, transport arrangements, payslip policy, and feedback from current or former workers.
2. Use Official Australian Government Job Resources
Social media can be helpful, but it should not be your only source.
A safer starting point is Workforce Australia, the Australian Government’s official employment platform.
You can search for jobs using keywords such as:
Harvest
Farm worker
Fruit picker
Packing shed
Regional
Agriculture
Seasonal work
Workforce Australia also provides guidance for visa holders looking for work in Australia and notes that harvest work may be available to people who hold the right visa.
If your goal is to use regional work for a second or third Working Holiday visa, always check the official Department of Home Affairs Working Holiday Maker specified work and conditions page before relying on a job for visa purposes.
Visa rules can change, and whether a job counts depends on your visa subclass, work type, location, and current government requirements.
3. Go Where the Harvest Work Is
Some regional jobs are easier to find once you are physically in the right town at the right time.
Regional backpacker hostels often have direct relationships with nearby farms, packing sheds, and labour hire companies. In some harvest towns, workers may find jobs within 24 to 48 hours after arriving, depending on the season and demand.
Popular harvest and regional work areas include:
Bundaberg, Queensland
Bowen, Queensland
Mildura, Victoria
Stanthorpe, Queensland
Griffith, New South Wales
Shepparton, Victoria
Renmark, South Australia
Before travelling to a regional area, check the harvest season, accommodation availability, transport options, and current job demand. Avoid paying large deposits for accommodation or job placement unless you have verified the business.
4. Use Legitimate Labour Hire Agencies
Many farms in Australia hire workers through labour hire agencies. This can be a normal part of the recruitment process, but you should still check whether the agency is legitimate.
A reputable labour hire agency should:
Provide clear job details
Explain your pay rate before you start
Give you a written contract or employment agreement
Provide payslips
Tell you who you are working for
Never charge you a fee to get a job
According to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Working the Harvest Trail guidance, it is illegal for an employer to ask a worker for money to receive or keep a job offer.
If someone asks you to pay a “placement fee”, “job guarantee fee”, or “registration fee” just to access a farm job, treat it as a serious red flag.
5. Watch Out for Farm Work Scams
Unfortunately, farm work scams still happen in Australia, especially in social media groups and informal job posts.
Be careful if a job listing:
Asks you to pay money before starting work
Does not provide an employer name
Does not provide an ABN
Promises unrealistically high wages
Refuses to explain the work location
Asks for personal documents too early
Offers unpaid trial shifts without clear limits
Avoids giving written job details
Before sharing personal information, ask for the business name and Australian Business Number. You can check this using ABN Lookup, the official Australian Business Register tool.
ABN Lookup allows the public to check whether an ABN is active and view public business registration details.
Know Your Workplace Rights Before Starting Farm Work
Farm and harvest workers in Australia have workplace rights.
The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that horticulture workers may be paid hourly rates, piece rates, or a combination of both. For some horticulture work, piece rates can apply, but employers must follow specific rules.
Pay Rates and Piece Rates
Under the Horticulture Award, pieceworkers generally have a minimum wage guarantee for each day they work. This means workers cannot simply be paid unfairly because the job is paid “per bucket”, “per bin”, or “per piece”.
Fair Work’s Pay and Piece Rates guidance also explains that workers must be paid for all time worked, including training, meetings, and mandatory work activities.
If you are unsure about your pay, use official Fair Work tools or speak with Fair Work Ombudsman directly.
Unpaid Trial Shifts
Some employers may ask workers to complete a trial before starting a job.
According to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Unpaid Trials guidance, an unpaid trial may only be lawful in limited situations, such as when it is necessary to demonstrate the skills required for the job and is done under direct supervision.
If the trial goes beyond what is reasonably needed to demonstrate your skills, or if you are doing productive work for the business, you may need to be paid.
For farm work, be especially careful with any offer that asks you to work a full day unpaid as a “trial”.
Regional Work and Your Working Holiday Visa
Regional or specified work may help some Working Holiday Makers become eligible for a second or third visa.
Generally:
A second Working Holiday visa may require completion of 3 months or 88 days of specified work
A third Working Holiday visa may require completion of 6 months of specified work
However, the rules are not the same for everyone. Your eligibility depends on your visa subclass, passport country, location, type of work, and current Department of Home Affairs requirements.
The Working Holiday Maker program includes both:
The Department of Home Affairs sets the official rules for specified work. Always check the latest government information before making visa plans.
Important: UK passport holders have special arrangements for second and third Working Holiday visa applications from 1 July 2024. If this applies to you, check the Department of Home Affairs website or speak with a registered migration agent before planning regional work for visa purposes.
Checklist Before Accepting a Regional or Farm Job
Before accepting a job, check:
Employer or agency name
ABN
Work location
Job duties
Pay rate
Hourly rate or piece rate arrangement
Expected working hours
Accommodation cost
Transport cost
Payslip arrangement
Contract or written agreement
Whether the work may count as specified work for your visa
Do not rely only on verbal promises. Keep copies of messages, contracts, payslips, timesheets, and
work records.
Why Choose RACC Australia?
Choosing the right migration support can make a significant difference, especially if your Working Holiday visa plan connects to future visa options in Australia.
RACC Australia has more than 20 years of experience assisting international students, Working Holiday Makers, skilled migrants, and visa holders with Australian education and migration pathways.
Our team can assist with:
Preparing your visa application for submission to the Department of Home Affairs
Reviewing your documents before lodgement
Guidance on police check requirements
Arranging suitable health insurance where required
Advice on medical examination requirements
Helping you understand your visa conditions and future pathway options
Supporting applications from both inside and outside Australia
Small mistakes in a visa application can lead to delays, complications, or even refusal. With experienced guidance, you can better understand your requirements before making important migration decisions.
RACC Australia is trusted by clients from different backgrounds and communities, with a 4.8 out of 5 customer satisfaction rating.
Our multilingual team can assist in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bahasa, Sinhalese, Malay, Thai, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, Punjabi, and more.
RACC Australia works with Registered Migration Agents:
MARN 1572961
MARN 1172003
Need Help With Your Working Holiday Visa Pathway?
RACC Australia assists international students, Working Holiday Makers, and visa holders with Australian migration and education pathways.
Our team includes Registered Migration Agents and multilingual consultants who can help you understand your options, including Working Holiday visa, Student visa, Employer Sponsored visa, and Skilled Migration pathways.
If you are unsure whether your regional work may support a second or third Working Holiday visa, or if you want to explore your next visa option in Australia, you can book a consultation with RACC Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest way to find farm work in Australia?
The safest way is to combine official job platforms such as Workforce Australia with verified backpacker recommendations, reputable hostels, and legitimate labour hire agencies. Always check the employer name and ABN before accepting a job.
Can I find farm work through Facebook?
Yes, many Working Holiday Makers use Facebook groups to find farm work. However, Facebook should not be your only source. Always verify the employer, ABN, pay rate, location, and working conditions before sharing personal information or travelling.
Should I pay someone to get a farm job in Australia?
No. Be very careful if someone asks you to pay money to receive or keep a job. Fair Work Ombudsman guidance states that it is illegal for an employer to ask for money in exchange for a job offer.
Does all farm work count toward a second Working Holiday visa?
No. Only certain types of specified work in eligible locations may count, depending on your visa subclass and current Department of Home Affairs rules. Always check the official Home Affairs website before relying on a job for visa purposes.
How do I check if a farm employer is legitimate?
Ask for the business name and ABN, then check the ABN through ABN Lookup. You should also ask for written job details, pay information, accommodation costs, and payslip arrangements.
Can unpaid farm trial shifts be legal?
Unpaid trials are only lawful in limited circumstances. If the trial goes longer than necessary or involves productive work, you may need to be paid. Check Fair Work Ombudsman guidance before agreeing to an unpaid trial.
What documents should I keep for regional work?
Keep payslips, timesheets, employment contracts, employer details, ABN information, rosters, bank payment records, and any communication about your job. These records may be important for both workplace rights and visa-related evidence.
Official Sources
Department of Home Affairs: Working Holiday Maker specified work and conditionshttps://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/whm-program/specified-work-conditions
Department of Home Affairs: Visa options for working in agriculturehttps://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/regional-migration/working-in-agriculture/visa-options
Workforce Australia: Find a jobhttps://www.workforceaustralia.gov.au/individuals/jobs/search
Workforce Australia: Visas and working in Australiahttps://www.workforceaustralia.gov.au/individuals/coaching/visas-and-working-in-australia
Fair Work Ombudsman: Working the Harvest Trailhttps://horticulture.fairwork.gov.au/working-the-harvest-trail
Fair Work Ombudsman: Pay and piece rateshttps://horticulture.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-piece-rates
Fair Work Ombudsman: Unpaid trialshttps://www.fairwork.gov.au/starting-employment/unpaid-work/unpaid-trials
ABN Lookuphttps://abr.business.gov.au/
Disclaimer: The information on this page is general information only and does not constitute migration, legal, employment, or education advice. Australian visa rules and workplace laws may change. For advice specific to your circumstances, speak with a registered migration agent or the relevant Australian Government authority.
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