Piece Rate vs Award Pay

Without doubt the best way to do your 88 days is with a reliable hourly paid job, the high minimum wage in Australia means a full-time week on these jobs pays close to $1,000. Download The 88th Day app if you’d like one on either iOS & Android, it’s our specialty.

This work refers to the payment scheme used by many farms, paying workers by the weight of product they pick. Make no mistake some workers make great money. Since 28 April 2022 the Horticulture Award has guaranteed pieceworkers at least the minimum hourly rate for the hours they work, but the pickers who earn well above it are rarely backpackers and almost always experienced pickers who have made careers out of picking fruit. Be honest with yourselves, do you think you’re going to be faster than an experienced career picker?

Another factor to consider is that piece-rate work is outside 99% of the time and work relies on the weather. If it rains you’re not working, fruit’s not ripe? You’re not working. Harvests are unpredictable and work is not evenly spread. Piece–rate work will get you days, but it’s unlikely to save you much money.