Blueberry picking season opening: Northern Rivers WHV jobs starting

Blueberry picking in the Northern Rivers west of Byron (Mountain Blue lists farms at Tabulam, Fairy Hill and Tuckombil) opens for the 2026 season from around May or June. Two big employers — Costa Group and Mountain Blue — both apply direct via their careers pages. These are the legitimate operators that pay award piece rates and sign the Form 1263 you need for visa extension.

The pay floor: since the Horticulture Award change of 28 April 2022, pieceworkers must be paid at least the minimum hourly rate for every hour worked, and piece rates must let an average competent picker earn at least 15% above that rate.

Skip the WhatsApp/WeChat job ads that have started circulating. Same scam patterns as past seasons: upfront training fees, accommodation-deduction wage theft, cash-only with no payslips. Verify every ABN before you commit. Fair Work Ombudsman is 13 13 94 if you get caught up.