Jobless Aussies encouraged to pick fruit

The federal government will allow thousands of unemployed Australians to do $5000 worth of seasonal fruit-picking work without losing their welfare benefits.

Thousands of jobless Australians will be able to earn up to $5000 doing seasonal work and not lose their welfare benefits under a proposed new laws.

The federal government on Thursday introduced a bill in parliament to trial the changes, announced in the mid-year budget review, for two years from July 1.

Up to 7600 eligible recipients will be able to participate in work such as fruit picking without having their unemployment payments reduced, with a $300 travel allowance also on offer for those whose approved job is more than 120km from where they live.