Agriculture is one of the most important industries, because, at its core, it’s about how we grow and raise the things that keep us alive.
In Australia, the industry offers a huge variety of job opportunities. Ranging from farm work to engineering roles and even marketing positions, there really is an agricultural job for everyone.
Insider Guides spoke to Dr Derek Long, Lecturer and Research Fellow at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) about emerging job opportunities in this diverse field.
Are agriculture jobs in demand in Australia?
Agricultural production in Australia has grown massively over the last few years thanks to high prices for Australian products, new technologies to boost production and growing demand for Australian livestock.
This means there’s a greater need for skilled workers who can meet the industry’s requirements. In fact, in Queensland alone, employment is expected to grow by 11.3 per cent in 2024-25 – but there currently aren’t enough people to fill the jobs.
New kinds of farming technology are also emerging, which will require new kinds of experts.
“The shift towards precision agriculture is influencing changes in the skill profile of the workforce, trending slightly towards more skilled labour in roles compared to unskilled labour,” Dr Long explains.
“New types of training are emerging as a result. The recently created Bachelor of Agricultural Technology and Management that I teach at UniSQ is one example.”
What is the best job in agriculture?
There’s no one best job. It’s a personal preference that’s completely up to you, your passions and what motivates you. Consider factors such as your interests, salary, location of employment and growth opportunities when deciding on the ‘best’ job.
Moving forward, Dr Long says there will be a greater focus on roles that use data to drive decision-making – such as agricultural consultants and research scientists.
“This includes jobs in both gathering and interpreting the large volumes of data that come in from the farm,” he explains.
What are the top agriculture jobs in Australia?
There are several popular jobs in Australia’s agriculture sector. These include:
- Agricultural consultant
- Agricultural scientist
- Farm manager
- Horticulturist
- Livestock manager
- Environmental scientist
For students considering a career in the industry, agriculture courses and degrees can give you the upper hand in a competitive field.
The degrees at UniSQ, for example, offer strong connections with the local agriculture industry, providing students with an edge.
“At UniSQ, we are located very close to a large cross-section of the sector (such as broadacre cropping, livestock and horticulture) and out of that we can involve the local industry in our teaching. We also have strong research relationships with larger multinationals such as tractor manufacturers,” says Dr Long.
“What this means for the students is that they get exposure to potential future employers in their degree. Additionally, some of the degrees and courses have been shaped with industry input, so we know that we are teaching the skills that employers need in graduates.”
What agricultural innovations is Australia exploring?
Dr Long says producers, researchers and industry are joining forces to make Australian agriculture more sustainable.
Climate change, a shortage of water and the pressing need for more sustainable farming to minimise environmental damage have driven innovation across the industry.
For instance, Australia is using new technologies such as driverless tractors to farm land, spot-spraying tools that target weeds to reduce chemical use, and certain insects instead of pesticides for pest management.
“Our farming systems are also evolving to be productive while being more harmonious with the surrounding ecosystem and preserving our nearby natural assets such as the Great Barrier Reef,” Dr Long adds.
