practical · Wednesday 6 May 2026
Blueberry picking season opening: Northern Rivers WHV jobs starting
Costa Group and Mountain Blue are starting the 2026 harvest. Honest pay, but verify before you commit.
By Byron Bay Backpackers editorial team
Blueberry picking on the Northern Rivers tablelands (Lindendale, Tabulam, Corndale, west of Byron) is opening for the 2026 season. 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.
Verified pay floor for the season: horticulture piece rates must guarantee 15% above hourly minimum since the April 2022 legislative change. Honest operators are quoting $25-32/hr equivalent on a decent day.
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.
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