Agricultural Technician Career and Immigration options for Australia

Profile Title: Agricultural Technician Career and Immigration options for Australia

Alternative Title:Agricultural Technical Officer

ANZSCO Code: 311111 | Unit Code: 3111

Skill Level: Level 2 | Work Experience: 1 Years

Assessing Bodies: Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS)

Skill Occupation List (SOL): ROL

Specialization: Agriculture Laboratory Technician, Artificial Insemination ,Technical Officer, Dairy Technician, Field Crop Technical Officer, Herd Tester, Horticultural, Technical Officer, Poultry Technical Officer

Profile Description: Performs tests and experiments, and provides technical support to assist Agricultural Scientists in areas such as research, production, servicing and marketing.

Job Duties:

• examining topographical, physical and soil characteristics of farmland to determine its most effective use and identify nutrient deficiencies
• assisting in developing new methods of planting, fertilising, harvesting and processing crops to achieve optimum land usage
• identifying pathogenic micro-organisms and insects, parasites, fungi and weeds harmful to crops and livestock, and assisting in devising methods of control
• analysing produce to set and maintain standards of quality
• inspecting livestock to gauge the effectiveness of feed formulae
• assisting in controlled breeding experiments to develop improved crop and livestock strains
• arranging the supply of drugs, vaccines and other chemicals to Farmers and Farm Managers, and giving advice on their use
• collecting and collating data for research
• planning slaughtering, harvesting and other aspects of production processes
• may advise producers on farming techniques and management

Skill Level Description: Indicative Skill Level: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) In New Zealand: NZ Register Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Available Visa Options (As on February 2024):

• 407 - Training visa (subclass 407)
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - State or Territory nominated
• 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Medium Term Stream
• report caveats apply
• 187 - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream
• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated

Registration or Licensing: Not Required

Industries: Agricultural Technicians are mainly employed in: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and Public Administration and Safety

Education Profile: There are no educational attainment data available for this occupation.

Job Opening: Over the five years to November 2019, the number of job openings for Agricultural Technicians is expected to be low (equal to or less than 5,000). Job openings count both employment growth and turnover (defined as workers leaving their occupation for other employment or leaving the workforce).

Age Group: The main age group is 55-59 years (28.6 per cent) and the median age is 47 years (compared to 40 years for all occupations).

Gender: The female share of Agricultural Technicians is 63.6 per cent and 81.8 per cent of Agricultural Technicians work full time. Average weekly hours for full time workers are 34.3 (compared to 40.2 for all occupations).

Earning: In August 2014 (latest available data) weekly earnings full-time before tax (and not including employer superannuation) were $1,066 (compared to earnings for all occupations of $1,200).

Employment: Employment for this occupation rose strongly (in percentage terms) in the past five years and fell in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Agricultural Technicians to November 2020 is expected to grow moderately.