A self-proclaimed “city lover” has revealed she’s left her fast-paced life behind to start a grueling new career in the countryside that pays as much as $500 a day.
Kirasie Tate grew up in the small town of Lismore, in New South Wales, but moved to Sydney when she was just 17 to pursue a career in modelling.
The now 23-year-old eventually found success after launching her own personal training business, and was enjoying living her “fast-paced life” in Australia’s biggest city.
But after the pandemic, she dreamt of travelling overseas, and decided to pack up her life in favor of a fruit-picking job that enabled her to save as much money as possible.
She now able to save heaps as a result of cutting down her living costs, revealing she’s happier than ever despite the laborious work.
“My dad is a bit of a nomad, he will travel around picking fruit, and then go overseas on a great holiday, and then come back and do it all again,” she told news.com.au.
“So I was keen to give it a go.”
She landed her first job picking apples in Orange, New South Wales, and then went to Gayndah in Queensland to pick mandarins.
Just four months later, she had saved up enough money to go on a three month trip to Europe, visiting 12 countries, describing the experience as “amazing”.
Kirasie explained that fruit pickers can often enjoy uncapped earnings, depending on the amount of fruit they pick.
On her best day, she was able to earn a $480 – while her usual earnings are in the range of $350 to $450 per day.
However, she explained the work can be very dependant on the weather and if it rains, she will have to take the day off.
“When it rains multiple times, the fruit gets really soggy,” she said.
“Then the sun shines on it and it falls to the ground, so there is no work for us.
“Different farms have different rules. Some pay per hour, and others have piece rates, whereby you can have uncapped earnings based on the amount of fruit you pick.
“I’ve been taught great skills from my dad about how to do it, so I don’t think just anyone could come in and earn $500 a day off the bat.”
While picking fruit, she lives on the farm which she said can cost as little as $50 a week, which is much cheaper than her Sydney accommodation.
Her dad, an established fruit-picker, also helped her secure work, while food was often shared among the workers which helped keep her cost of living low.
In order to get most of the work done before the searing midday heat begins her days start before sunrise.
“I usually get up before 5am, you want to start early,” she said.
“You want to do most of the work in the first half of the day. You have to drive the tractor out to your designated row.
“You fill up your bag with fruit, which you wear around you like a harness. Then you empty it into the bigger crates.”
The work can be gruelling, with Kirasie revealing she “doesn’t take many breaks” and gets through by “eating the fruit” as she works – but she no longer feels “burnt out” like she did working in Sydney.
“We have the speaker going really loud with dance or techno music to get us pumped up,” she explained.
“I listen to podcasts and call friends. It is quite meditative.”
Kirasie said that while this line of work is not for everyone, it would suit someone who is looking to get out in nature and is ready to work hard in order to make some great money.
“I think it’s worth having a go if you’re ready to commit to a few months of hard work,” she said.
“You need to push yourself. It would really suit someone if they wanted to go travelling or needed to save up to buy a house.
“You meet people from all around the world, and it’s really beautiful working in nature.
“I plan to go cherry picking for the summer, so I can save up again and go back to Europe.”