Fruit or Nut Worker
841211 · Heavy Next-day ready Career data Close match
Orchard farmers and managers plan and manage fruit and nut production in orchards.
Most common salary $54k – $104k
Upper salary up to $149k
Training 0-3 years
Matched as "Orchard farmer and manager"
Description
Performs routine tasks on a fruit or nut farm such as cultivating and fertilising soil, and planting, irrigating and pruning crops. May spray chemicals on crops to treat disease and pests.
Typical work tasks
- Undertakes planting using hand tools and farm machines; builds trellises for climbing plants and vines; operates machines to cultivate, fertilise, spray and harvest fruit and nuts; sprays trees, vines and other plants with chemicals to control weeds, insects, fungus growth and diseases; thins, weeds and hoes row crops, and prunes trees and vines; irrigates land for crop growth; selects and picks fruit and nuts according to size and ripeness, and discards rotting and over-ripened produce; grades, sorts and packs produce into containers; loads filled fruit and nut containers onto trucks.
Typical work environment
- Works outside in tree or fruit orchards in most weather conditions and indoors in glasshouse environments or packing sheds.
- Frequently works in dirty, wet or dusty conditions depending upon the season, weather and growing conditions.
- The use of horticultural pesticides and fertilisers is likely to be frequent (unless there is an organic orientation) and may irritate the skin and aggravate breathing problems such as asthma or hay-fever. Protective clothing and breathing apparatus should be utilised.
- Usually seasonal work and long days may be worked when weather or crop conditions are favourable.
Typical physical and mental demands
- Medium physical demand Stands and walks frequently unless driving.
- Stretching up or across is likely to be frequently to constantly required.
- Climbing fruit picking ladders or working from mechanically operated elevated platforms is likely for tree-grown crops.
- Frequently squats, crouches or kneels when planting new trees or bushes, or picking low growing fruit such as strawberries.
- Twisting of the body or neck is likely on an occasional to frequent basis.
- Bends frequently and this may be constant for some picking activities.
- Heavy lifting and carrying of bags of fertiliser, seeds and harvested crops, is likely to be intermittent, but may occur for prolonged periods at times such as harvesting.
- Repetitive movements likely to be frequent for example when pruning or picking.
- Driving or machine operation of specialised orchard spraying or picking platforms and rotary hoes is likely to be frequent.
- The use of hand tools, both manual and mechanical are likely to be used constantly.
- Mental skills necessary include horticultural, technical and practical skills
Entry signal Reviewed
No formal entry barrier — can start without prior training. A licence may be required for some roles or employers. Flagged next-day ready.
Entry barrier No formal entry barrier
Licence / registration Licence may be required
ANZSCO skill level 5
Next-day ready Yes
How this was determined (model-generated): Fruit/nut worker entry is Nil; the tractor driver licence is incidental/advantageous, not a core gate.
Entry Requirements
- Nil (ANZSCO Skill Level 5). A Class 1 Driver Licence holder can operate a tractor with a Gross Laden Weight (GLW) of more than 4500kg but less than 18000kg if driven at a speed not exceeding 30km/h.
Further Comments
- There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.