1Industry Overview
Australian agriculture is a $80+ billion industry, producing food and fibre for over 85 million people globally. The sector employs approximately 300,000 workers across crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestry. Key commodities include wheat, beef, wool, wine grapes, cotton, sugar cane, and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Regional and remote Australia is the heartland of agricultural employment.
2Seasonal Workforce Challenges
Agriculture is one of Australia's most labour-intensive industries, with seasonal peaks during planting and harvest periods. The sector has historically relied on working holidaymakers and seasonal workers, but border closures during COVID exposed critical vulnerabilities. The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme and the new Agriculture Visa pathway aim to create a more sustainable seasonal workforce pipeline.
3Key Roles & Regions
Major agricultural employment regions include the Riverina (NSW), the Murray-Darling Basin, North Queensland's sugar belt, Tasmania's cherry and berry regions, and Western Australia's grain belt. In-demand roles include fruit pickers, farm hands, tractor operators, irrigation technicians, livestock handlers, shearers, and agricultural mechanics. Many roles offer accommodation as part of the employment package.
4Wages & Visa Pathways
Farm workers under the Horticulture Award earn from $29.06/hour for casual pickers, with piece rates available for experienced harvesters. Skilled agricultural roles like farm managers can earn $70,000–$110,000+ annually. The Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417/462) offers a pathway for young international workers, with regional agricultural work counting toward visa extensions.