A typical week on a Northern Rivers blueberry farm: what to actually expect

A real week on a Costa Group or Mountain Blue blueberry farm during peak season (June-November):

- 5am pickup at the hostel or pre-arranged carpool point. Most farms run a transport service for the 20-50 minute drive west to the picking sites. - 6am start — briefing, gear (gloves, bucket, weighing scales). 30-minute breaks at 9am and 12pm. Pack lunch. - 2:30pm finish typically. Earlier on hot summer days, later in winter when light's holding. - Piece rate — pay per kilogram. Minimum guarantee since 2022 legislation: 15% above the hourly minimum ($24.95/hr). Honest growers pay $28-32/hr equivalent on decent rows. - Rain days = no pay (the crop won't pick wet). Budget for 1-2 wet days per fortnight in winter.

The honest truth: it's physical. Your fingers hurt, your back hurts, the early mornings are brutal. People last 2-3 weeks on average before swapping to a different farm. Bring proper boots (not thongs), layered clothing for the temperature swing 5am→2pm, and a thermos.

Pay structure to verify before you start: ABN status (no — should be PAYG), payslips daily or weekly (yes, required for visa proof), Form 1263 at the end of the stint (yes, mandatory). See our Northern Rivers find-work guide.