Grain, oilseed, legume, and pasture farm worker Grain, Oilseed, Pulse and Pasture Farm Worker (Aus) / Field Farm Worker (NZ)
A global AI analysis is below; pick a country for local salary, licensing and migration data.
AI/automation has mixed impacts on this occupation: some physical and optimization tasks (e.g., seeding, fertilizing, pesticide spraying) can be replaced by autonomous machinery and drones, but on-site judgment, machinery maintenance, and emergency handling still require humans; entry-level positions may narrow, but skilled workers capable of operating smart systems will increase in value.
More exposed than about 6% of occupations (percentile; higher = more exposed to AI)
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Replaced grain farm workers' manual weed identification and pesticide spraying, enabling precise application and reducing labour needs.
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Replaces some manual tasks such as sowing, irrigation, and weeding, but mainly suitable for small-scale and experimental farms.
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Replaces manual weeding and spraying in grain fields, reducing labor demands and improving efficiency.
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Replaces grain farm workers in driving tractors for tillage and seeding tasks, but is still in the experimental stage and not yet commercially used on a large scale.
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Replaces traditional soil testing and experience-based fertilization by grain workers, providing data-driven decision support.
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Replaces some seeding, fertilizing, and inspection tasks in grain and oilseed farms, reducing labor input but still requiring human supervision.
- Using traditional tractors for repetitive field operations such as sowing and tillage
- Apply fertilizers and pesticides manually or on a fixed schedule
- Visually inspecting crop health and pests
- Manually record data such as yield and soil moisture
- Simple sorting and basic processing such as bagging grain
- Using satellite or drone imagery to analyze crop growth conditions, optimizing fertilization and irrigation timing
- Develop precise irrigation and pesticide plans using AI prediction models
- Use autonomous farming equipment to improve operational accuracy and efficiency, reducing resource waste
- Use IoT sensors to monitor soil and weather data in real time to aid decision-making
- Dealing with complex mechanical breakdowns and on-site emergencies in the field
- In-depth experiential knowledge of local climate, soil, and crop varieties
- Coordinate team operations, train new workers
- Communicate with farm owners and agronomists to develop flexible production plans
- Quickly respond to bad weather or equipment anomalies
- Skills in operating and maintaining autonomous agricultural vehicles.
- Use drones and remote sensing equipment for field monitoring
- Use data analysis and IoT platforms (e.g., AgriWebb)
- Application of precision agriculture software (e.g., Climate FieldView)
- Basic programming or debugging skills for calibrating automation equipment
- Knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices such as crop rotation and organic management
Entry-level positions may narrow: demand for basic manual operations (e.g., manual weeding, simple harvesting) is declining, entry often relies on manual labor or low skills, which is easily eroded by automation; but newcomers with skills in smart farming equipment operation and data monitoring still have a market.
Recommend upgrading to 'Smart Agriculture Operations Specialist': learn to drive and maintain automated farm machinery, operate drones for inspections, interpret IoT data commands; master precision agriculture software to detect anomalies from machine reports; long-term can transition to farm technician or production supervisor overseeing multiple equipment coordination.
Local data by country
Ratings · Overall 6/10
Salary
| Experience | Annual (AUD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 薪资中位数 | $64,000 ~ $64,000 | 薪资中位数（估算：基于各经验档区间中值） |
| Entry level (0–3 years) | $48,000 ~ $58,000 | According to industry awards, hourly wage is about AUD 25-30 |
| Mid-level (3–5 years) | $58,000 ~ $70,000 | Capable of operating multiple types of machinery; can serve as a team leader |
| Senior (5+ years) | $70,000 ~ $85,000 | Includes production supervisor or farm manager positions, may include accommodation allowance |
| 平均薪资 | $55,536 ~ $55,536 | 全体雇员周均总现金×52 年化（来源：ABS EEH May 2025，ANZSCO 大类） |
Education Path
| Stage | Duration | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term training | 2 weeks | $500~$1,500 |
| Certificate II/III in Agriculture | 6 months. | $3,000~$8,000 |
Qualifications
| Qualification | Issuer | |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural chemical use certificate | Training institutions accredited by state agricultural departments | Required |
| Heavy vehicle driving license | State transport authorities | Optional |
| First aid certificate | Australian Red Cross or St John Ambulance | Optional |
Migration (to Australia)
⚠ This occupation is not on the independent skilled migration lists (189/190/491), so standard points-tested migration is not available; however migration is possible via employer sponsorship (482/494), Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) or labour agreements — pathways and places are limited. Refer to the latest Department of Home Affairs rules and the CSOL.
| Visa | Details |
|---|---|
| 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) Act | Common visa under the Pacific Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, suitable for seasonal farm work |
| 417 Working Holiday Visa | Working holiday visa, common for short-term farm work, renewable. |
| 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa | If employer-sponsored and the occupation is on the CSOL, but this occupation is usually not on the core skills list |
| 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa | Regional employer-sponsored visa, with opportunities if the occupation is on the DAMA list |
Who it fits
- Adaptable to outdoor physical labor, willing to live in remote areas
- Strong interest in operating agricultural machinery
- Those seeking seasonal work or working holiday experiences
- Preference for stable white-collar jobs or urban living
- Unable to withstand high-intensity physical labor or extreme weather
Career outlook
General farm workers can advance to senior farm operators, farm foremen, or production supervisors. With experience, they may become agricultural contractors or farm owners, requiring precision agriculture skills.
Australian agriculture is highly dependent on seasonal labor, with increasing mechanization, but remote areas still face labor shortages. Climate change and market demand fluctuations affect job stability; long-term demand remains moderate.
Growth areas：
Seasonal labourBroadacre croppingPrecision agricultureFarm mechanisation
FAQ
Data sources
Salary ranges are estimates aggregated from public listings on Seek, Indeed, Glassdoor and ERI SalaryExpert; employment and demand forecasts cite Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS); visa and migration details follow the latest occupation lists from the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant assessing authorities. Figures are indicative only — always refer to the latest official sources.
Ratings · Overall 6.5/10
Salary
| Experience | Annual (NZD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 薪资中位数 | $54,080 ~ $54,080 | 周中位收入×52 年化（来源：Stats NZ 2025，ANZSCO 1位大类） |
| Entry level (0–3 years) | $42,000 ~ $50,000 | Minimum wage or slightly higher, hourly rate around $22-$25 |
| Mid-level (3–5 years) | $50,000 ~ $60,000 | $25-$30 per hour, practical experience required |
| Senior (5+ years) | $60,000 ~ $70,000 | Supervisory or technical roles, hourly rate $30-$35 |
| 平均薪资 | $52,000 ~ $52,000 | 周均值×52 年化（来源：Stats NZ 2025，ANZSCO 1位大类） |
Education Path
| Stage | Duration | Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma | 0 years | $0~$0 |
| 1-year certificate or diploma | 1 year | $5,000~$20,000 |
Qualifications
| Qualification | Issuer | |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural operations qualification (NZQA Level 3). | NZQA-accredited training providers | Optional |
| New Zealand driver's license (at least Class 1) | New Zealand Transport Agency. | Optional |
| Pest control certificate (optional) | New Zealand Department of Conservation or accredited organizations | Optional |
Migration (to New Zealand)
⚠ This occupation is not on the Green List straight-to-residence track, so direct skilled migration is unavailable; however migration is possible via an accredited-employer work visa (AEWV) then residence — pathways and places are limited. Refer to the latest Immigration New Zealand rules.
| Visa | Details |
|---|---|
| AEWV Accredited Employer Work Visa | For workers with a certified employer offer, meeting salary and skill requirements, eligible for residency after 3 years. |
| SMC Skilled Migrant Category | Meets ANZSCO skill level 1-3 or high salary (hourly $31.61+) to apply, but this occupation usually does not qualify |
| Regional Workforce Regional Seasonal Employer (RSE) | Seasonal farm work, mainly for Pacific island workers, not a permanent migration pathway |
Who it fits
- People with good physical fitness and willingness to work outdoors
- People who can adapt to rural life in New Zealand.
- People with experience in agricultural machinery operation
- People who dislike physical labor.
- Immigrants seeking to obtain permanent residency quickly
Career outlook
Career progression includes farm supervisor, farm manager, or transitioning to agricultural consulting, but requires experience or further study. Short-term skill upgrades can increase salary, but management positions are competitive.
Agriculture is a pillar of New Zealand's economy, with stable demand for this occupation, especially in regions like Canterbury and Waikato. However, due to seasonality, full-time positions are limited, migration pathways are narrow, and it is not directly covered by the Green List.
Growth areas：
Seasonal DemandAEWV EligibleRegional WorkforceLimited Immigration
FAQ
Data sources
Salary estimates on this page are compiled from publicly available ranges on Seek NZ, Trade Me Jobs, Glassdoor, PayScale, etc. Employment and demand forecasts reference Stats NZ and MBIE. Immigration information is based on Immigration New Zealand's Green List and latest skilled migration (SMC / AEWV) rules. Data is for reference only. Always refer to official sources for the most current information.
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