Working at Reid Fruits

Picking and Packing positions for the 2024-2025 cherry harvest season are now closed. Applications for the 2025-2026 season will open in September 2025.

Picking – Where are the Orchards Located?

Reid Fruits has four orchards across Southern Tasmania. Our largest orchard is located at Plenty in the Derwent Valley (45 minutes north west of Hobart). Our orchard at Jericho (1 hour north of Hobart) is the last to harvest and pickers move on to this orchard after the harvest is completed at Plenty.

In the Huon Valley we have two orchards which are located at Lucaston and Castle Forbes Bay with most of the crop being harvested from Castle Forbes Bay (45 minutes south of Hobart).

Plenty Orchard – 810 Glenora Road, Plenty TAS

Castle Forbes Bay Orchard – 22-32 Crowthers Road, Castle Forbes Bay TAS

Packing – Where is the Packing Shed Located?

Packing Shed – 2364 Huon Highway, Huonville TAS

What are the Working Environments Like?

The packing shed facility is a refrigerated work environment, meaning staff must be prepared and bring warm clothing layers to work every day.

In the orchards you may be exposed to a wide variety of weather conditions and must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 8kg (1 lug of cherries). One of the advantages of picking cherries at Reid Fruits is that the height of the trees in the orchards is mostly limited to 2.4m. This means that very little ladder work is required when picking. The trees are also easily accessible as there are no trellis wires throughout.

Both picking and packing jobs require you to work long hours on your feet all day. Please consider your suitability and fitness for the role before applying.

When does the Cherry Season Start and Finish?

The timing of the cherry season varies each year and is dependent on the weather and the volume of fruit to be picked. However, picking usually begins at the start of December at our Plenty site through to late January. Picking at Castle Forbes Bay begins towards the end of December through to the end of January and at Jericho picking begins at the end of January through to mid-February. The packing shed operates throughout this whole period.

What are the Required Hours of Work?

Picking – Casual pickers are expected to work up to seven days a week, depending on weather and fruit volume, with work hours generally from 6am to 3pm or as determined by management.

Packing – Casual packers are expected to work up to seven days a week, depending on weather and fruit volume, with work hours generally from 7am to 6pm in the packing shed, or as determined by management.

Is there Public Transport Nearby?

No, there is no suitable public transport available. You will need to organise your own transport to and from the orchards or the packing shed.

Does this Work Count Towards Second Year Visa?

Yes, both picking and packing work can be counted as days towards your second-year visa.

Can I Apply for Both Picking and Packing Positions?

No, you will need to decide if you wish to undertake picking work in the orchards, or packing work at the packing facility. You can only apply for ONE type of job.

Is Experience Required?

While prior experience is beneficial, it is not required. Inductions and training will be provided prior to starting work in the orchards and in the packing shed.

What are the Current Rates of Pay?

Rates of pay are in accordance with the Horticultural Award 2020. Casual rates apply to all work.

Picking – Pickers are paid on a piecework basis – per lug (the box that cherries are picked into that holds approximately 8kg of cherries). Pickers may receive a top-up payment to the minimum hourly rate for their age classification under the Horticulture Award, for any day when their earnings based on their lug picking falls below the minimum amount of pay required based on their hours worked. Pickers are expected to reach a minimum number of lugs per hour after a settling-in period.

Packing – Packers are paid an hourly pay rate which includes 25% loading, based upon the Horticulture Award.

Is There Any Accommodation Available?

Plenty Orchard – Limited camping is available with preference to workers relocating for the full season. Facilities include: toilets, showers, some powered sites and also refrigeration for perishable items. You will need to provide your own camping/sleeping gear and it is advisable to have your own cooking equipment. Local accommodation options include (you are encouraged to make your own searches):

Castle Forbes Bay Orchard or Packing Shed, Huonville – There is no accommodation available onsite at our packing shed in Huonville or at the orchards in Castle Forbes Bay/Lucaston. Local accommodation options include:

Jericho (Orchard) – Limited camping is available at Jericho orchard. Most pickers choose to travel from outside accommodation.

For any further questions or information please contact our administration team