Agriculture
There were 2138 agricultural jobs created in Tasmania between the 2017/18 and 2019/20 financial years.
Agriculture
Industry Overview
28% of land in Tasmania is used for agriculture (ABARES 2020).
Agriculture refers to both the growing and cultivation of horticultural and other crops (excluding forestry), and the controlled breeding, raising or farming of animals (excluding aquaculture) (ANZSIC 2013).
An overview of occupations and training pathways in agriculture and food processing is provided by the Australian government’s National Careers Institute.
In Tasmania the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector employs 16,400 people, representing 7 per cent of the state’s workforce (ABS 2020).
The Tasmanian agriculture industry includes:
- Sheep: e.g. superfine saxon merino wool
- Meat: e.g. lamb, venison, beef
- Vineyards: e.g. cool climate wines
- Pharmaceuticals: e.g. poppy plants
- Insecticide: e.g. pyrethrum, a natural pesticide
- Fruit: e.g. apple, pear, apricot, cheery trees
- Hops: e.g. craft beer and cider
- Honey: e.g. leatherwood honey
- Dairy: e.g. milk and cheese products
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that in 2018-19, the 1979 farms in Tasmania added $1.6 billion to the economy. 57% of this was from milk ($457 million), cattle ($342 million) and potatoes ($127 million).
Industry peak bodies
- Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (orchards)
- Dairy Tasmania (dairy industry)
- Fruit Growers Tasmania (fruit and veg industry)
- Greenlife Industry Australia (horticulture and nursery careers)
- Tasmanian Beekeepers Association (apirary industry)
- Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (for farms large or small)
- Wine Tasmania (viticulture)
Industry awareness
- Make It Tasmania provides an agricultural industry overview that highlights the state’s brand of premium quality.
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (Tasmania) is a key source of information about the agriculture industry.
- Farm Point is for employers, however the responses to frequently asked questions builds your local industry awareness.
- Tasmanian wine trails, beer trail, whisky trail and cider trail show businesses growing from agriculture industry.
Agriculture
Qualifications
Qualifications refer to nationally recognised qualifications.
According to the Australian Government Job Outlook, many agribusiness owners and managers learn ‘on the job’, however the number of staff with degrees in the agriculture industry has been growing.
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
TasTAFE has courses in Primary Industries, Horticulture and Environment and an Agriskill Entry program.
VET qualifications relate to position responsibilities:
- Certificate II – an entry-level role where direct supervision is required (e.g. Certificate II in horticulture)
- Certificate III – trade level certificate where broad supervision /direction is required (e.g. Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management)
- Certificate IV – team leader/supervisor or technical skills (e.g. Certificate IV in Wool Classing)
- Diploma and Advanced Diploma – management level operations or technical roles. (e.g. Diploma of Agribusiness Management)
The University of Tasmania:
The University of Tasmania lists courses and careers in Agriculture.
Agriculture
Career Development
Industry training
Industry training can be free or fee-for-service.
- Primary Employers Tasmania have an AgCard pre-induction tool focused on safety and human resource matters in the agriculture sector.
- Click Buy Learn is a curated a collection of non-accredited short courses derived from the Rural Skills Australia accredited courses.
Self-directed learning
You are in charge of learning about the industry to support your networking.
- The TasTAFE library has curated resources about Agriculture to guide your exploration of the industry.
- The YouTube channel of the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture will help build your industry awareness
Career skills
Skills to manage your career because getting a job is just the beginning!
- People in Agriculture have a guide to starting and managing your Ag career.
- The National Employment Standards are what any worker in Australia can expect.
- Fair Work Tasmania has information to check your pay and entitlements as well as tools to record hours and online learning.
Agriculture
Networking
Industry networks
Networks function on reciprocity; you get out what you put in.
- Rural Youth Tasmania is for people up to 30 years old, and has newsletter, clubs, and hosts the famous Agfest each year.
- The Young Agricultural Professional’s Network is for people under 35 years to connect via Facebook, email news, and events.
- Tasmanian Women in Agriculture has a free newsletter and there’s ways to volunteer to support network activities.
Subscribe
Subscribing to industry news is a way to identify people or events to connect with.
- Fruit Growers Tasmania has FruiteNews for subscribers.
- Greenlife Industry Australia has a fortnightly newsletter for those interested in horticulture.
- National Farmers Federation has a weekly wrap of news.
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture has news that you can subscribe too so that you don’t miss a local networking opportunity.
- Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association has a fortnightly newsletter you can subscribe to.
Follow on Facebook
Find people to look up for networking or upcoming events.
- Agfest is the career fair for anyone interested in agriculture.
- Career Harvest is a not-for-profit supporting people to start careers in the industry.
- Primary Employers Tasmania support the business and workforce in the agriculture industry.
- Rural Youth Tasmania on Facebook is for anyone under 30 years.
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture
- Wine Tasmania
Agriculture
What Employers Want
Job advertisements highlight valuable skills:
- Drivers’ license
- Truck license desirable.
- Spraying experience.
- Chemical certificate.
- Forklift license.
- First Aid Certificate
Job advertisements highlight some employer questions to prepare for:
- Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
- Do you have a current Australian driver’s licence?
- Are you available to work outside your usual hours when required? (e.g. weekends, evenings, public holidays)
- Are you willing to relocate for this role?
- Have you worked in a role that requires a sound understanding of OH&S/WH?
Agriculture
Finding Jobs in Tasmania
Newspaper
- The Advocate (North West Tasmania)
- The Examiner (North Tasmania)
- The Mercury (South Tasmania)
Online
- Career One and Indeed and Jora source jobs from other places so sometimes you find something new.
- Gumtree Jobs is a community job board often for more entry level positions which could help get experience for another position.
- Job Active is the Australian Government job board curating jobs from many sources.
- Seek jobs can have search alerts by location for Farming, Animals and Conservation jobs.
- Tasmanian Government Jobs may have positions with the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.
Recruitment agencies
- Linx Employment Tasmania does labour hire in the agricultural sector if you want to start with an entry level job to get experience.
- Searson Buck manages the fixed term register for the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.
Agriculture
Job Seeker Tips
Safety is prized by employers.
- View the Safe Farming series by WorkSafeTasmania or the Farm Safety Starter Kit by Dairy Tas.
- Understand the industry safety profile published by WorkSafeTasmania.
- Know about initiatives such as Rural Alive and Well to protect mental health.
Learn about the ‘lingo’ by hearing people speak about the industry.
- ABC Tasmanian Country Hour covers topical issues of interest to many employers in agriculture.
- ABC Rural Facebook covers National Issues.
- ABC Landline archives can be searched by time and topic to learn about the industry.
- Meet the Mentor is an interview podcast hosted by Career Harvest.
The industry uses Facebook more than LinkedIn.
- Tidy up your Facebook profile, history, and privacy settings to be employer-ready.
- Use Facebook to network with industry bodies by following, liking, joining groups.
- Let people know that you’re looking for opportunities and direct people to your LinkedIn profile for more information.
A licence and reliable vehicle are essential to access agricultural jobs.
- Ensure you convert an overseas licence to drive in Tasmania.
- How safe is your car helps you buy the safest car possible by comparing safety ratings of cars within a budget range.
- Learn about the different roads and different hazards when driving rurally.
Agriculture
Acknowledgements
The Migrant Network acknowledges the invaluable input from industry.
“I’ve just enjoyed to be part of this project. It is always great to have the opportunity to help others.
Thank you for inviting me for it!” Skilled migrant, 19 April 2021.
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About MRC Tas
Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas) is a not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting people from migrant and humanitarian backgrounds to settle successfully in Tasmania since 1979.
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About Migrant network tasmania
Migrant Network Tasmania draws on the goodwill, stories and tips of migrants and the wider community to help fellow migrants to establish lives and careers in Tasmania.