Grow your career across the apple and pear supply chain
Australia’s apple and pear industry offers opportunities for everyone — from seasonal fruit picking and hands-on orchard work to logistics, research, and marketing. Whether you’re looking for short-term work during harvest or a long-term horticultural career, there are many ways to get involved and grow.
Career pathways
Picking and Seasonal Work
Seasonal work is the entry point for many people in the industry. Fruit picking, pruning, and thinning are essential roles that keep orchards productive and provide an opportunity to learn orchard operations firsthand.
- Fruit Picker / Harvester: Works outdoors picking apples and pears by hand during the harvest season (typically February to May).
- Pruner / Thinner: Maintains tree health and fruit quality by pruning branches and thinning fruit during winter and spring.
- Orchard Labourer: Assists with a range of tasks including irrigation, mulching, machinery operation, and maintenance.
- Casual Field Hand: Short-term work supporting the orchard team during busy times.
These jobs are ideal for people who enjoy physical, outdoor work and are looking for entry into horticulture. Many supervisors, agronomists and orchard managers started as pickers and worked their way up. Training is often provided on site, and opportunities exist to gain horticultural qualifications through traineeships or short courses.
Orchard and Production
As you gain experience, there are many ways to advance into technical and management roles that oversee crop performance and people.
- Orchard Hand: Supports pruning, thinning, irrigation and crop management.
- Team Leader / Supervisor: Coordinates orchard teams, ensures productivity, safety and fruit quality.
- Orchard Manager: Oversees full operations, from labour to technology integration, sustainability and budgets.
- Horticulture Apprentice / Trainee: Combines study with hands-on training in orchard and farm management.
Packhouse and Postharvest
Once harvested, fruit is sorted, packed and distributed — providing vital jobs in quality control, packing and logistics. These roles keep the supply chain moving efficiently from orchard to consumer.
- Packer / Grader: Sorts apples and pears by size, quality and colour using modern equipment.
- Quality Assurance Officer: Monitors standards and food safety during packing.
- Production / Line Supervisor: Oversees teams and ensures packhouse operations run smoothly.
- Cold Storage & Logistics Coordinator: Manages postharvest handling and distribution to markets.
- Maintenance Technician: Keeps grading and refrigeration systems operating safely and efficiently.
Research, Development and Extension
Research and development roles focus on improving orchard systems, pest control, climate resilience and fruit quality. These positions are ideal for people with a background in science, technology or agronomy.
- Research Assistant / Scientist: Conducts trials on tree health, yield, pest control and fruit quality.
- Extension Officer: Works directly with growers to apply research outcomes and innovation.
- Data Analyst: Collects and interprets orchard data for decision-making and reporting.
- Trial Coordinator: Organises experimental plantings and collects field performance data.
Agronomy, Technical Support and Sustainability
Agronomists and technical specialists help growers make informed decisions on soil health, pest management and resource efficiency. Sustainability roles are becoming increasingly important as growers adopt regenerative and low-impact practices.
- Agronomist / Advisor: Provides expert guidance on crop protection, irrigation and nutrition.
- Field Technician: Conducts monitoring, sampling and data collection in orchards.
- Sustainability Coordinator: Leads programs to improve environmental outcomes, reduce waste and manage emissions.
Business, Finance and Operations
The business side of horticulture includes planning, finance, logistics and compliance — supporting the commercial performance of orchards and packhouses.
- Operations Manager: Oversees day-to-day logistics, staff, and production flow.
- Finance / Business Analyst: Provides budgeting and financial insight to management teams.
- Procurement and Supply Coordinator: Ensures supply chain efficiency for packaging, chemicals and consumables.
- Compliance & Safety Officer: Monitors environmental and work health standards.
Marketing, Trade and Industry Development
Marketing and export specialists connect Australian fruit to the world. APAL supports this through trade relationships, brand campaigns and market insights.
- Marketing and Communications Officer: Manages branding, campaigns and industry media.
- Trade and Export Coordinator: Oversees export documentation, compliance and trade promotion.
- Industry Development Officer: Supports grower networks and engagement programs.
- Policy and Advocacy Advisor: Represents grower interests on key national issues.
Training and professional development
APAL supports learning at every stage — from fruit picking to senior management — through hands-on workshops, mentoring, and industry programs.
- Future Orchards – Practical workshops and on-farm demonstrations across growing regions.
- Young Grower Immersion Program – A week-long experience designed to connect early-career growers with experts and peers.
- Future Orchards Library – Access research, videos, benchmarking data and orchard case studies.
- APAL Events – Conferences, field days and technical workshops for all levels of experience.
Stay connected
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