Fruit Picker
Fruit pickers pick fruit from vines, trees or bushes as instructed by the grower or supervisor.
Tasks & duties
Fruit pickers may do some or all of the following:
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select fruit for picking
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pick fruit by hand or use hand tools or mechanical equipment
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discard blemished, damaged or over-ripe fruit
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load picked fruit into bins and stack cases of fruit
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sort fruit into different grades and sizes in a packing shed
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pack fruit into cartons, trays or cases
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use a fork-lift to load cases onto trucks, or drive tractors and orchard vehicles
Skills & knowledge
Fruit pickers need to have:
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knowledge of the size and ripeness of fruit
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knowledge of different types of damage to fruit and how it occurs
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skill in harvesting, sorting and evaluating fruit
Entry requirements
Some horticultural knowledge or experience may be useful to become a fruit picker.
Training on the job
Fruit picking skills can be learned on the job. Other horticulture and orchard skills may also be learned and fruit pickers may study for their heavy vehicle or fork-lift licence while working.
You can train on the job and complete an apprenticeship through the Horticulture Industry Training Organisation (HortITO). This is only available through approved employers.
Useful experience
Useful experience for fruit pickers includes:
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horticultural work
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farm work
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any work involving physical labour
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any outdoor work
Related courses
Horticulture
For more information, please refer to Career Services.
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