Australian Jobs 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
Annual Employment Growth (%)
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing is an industry largely made up of workers employed in agribusiness. Most are farmers, living in regional Australia and managing their own properties. This is reflected in the high level of self-employment (around one in two workers, the highest percentage of any industry). Around 43% of workers are aged 55 years or older (again, the highest of any industry).
Top employing occupations
| Occupation | This industry | All industries |
|---|---|---|
| Livestock Farmers | 87,100 | 90,600 |
| Crop Farmers | 40,600 | 40,800 |
| Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers | 27,200 | 28,000 |
| Crop Farm Workers | 22,400 | 24,900 |
| Livestock Farm Workers | 24,600 | 27,200 |
| Agricultural, Forestry and Horticultural Plant Operators | 10,700 | 12,500 |
| Bookkeepers | 7,800 | 97,100 |
| Packers | 4,900 | 71,300 |
| Garden and Nursery Labourers | 4,900 | 35,500 |
| Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Workers | 1,300 | 1,300 |
| Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers | 4,000 | 12,200 |
| General Clerks | 4,000 | 311,200 |
| Agricultural and Forestry Scientists | 3,600 | 6,500 |
| Deck and Fishing Hands | 2,700 | 5,400 |
| Truck Drivers | 2,400 | 160,500 |
| Accounting Clerks | 2,200 | 144,100 |
| Retail Managers | 2,100 | 262,500 |
| Animal Attendants and Trainers | 1,800 | 21,500 |
| Office Managers | 1,800 | 115,900 |
The need for formal qualifications is less common, with around half of this workforce having no post-school qualifications. Instead, practical skills and experience are more highly valued, with many of these skills being learnt on the job. Formal qualifications, though, can be gained through the VET sector which also contributes to this industry’s skills. It is important to note, however, that technologically advanced production systems (i.e. farm automation, artificial intelligence) are becoming more common and the employers who use such systems will require more highly skilled workers.
When looking for work in this industry, seasonal work such as fruit picking is fairly common and may present short-term opportunities for job seekers of all ages.
Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work.