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A Farmer runs a primary production business producing goods for sale to market. You might be employed in a range of farming industries including livestock, fruit and vegetables, crops or dairy products. Farmers are involved with all aspects of operations from planting and cultivating to harvesting and getting products ready for sale. Your daily work will vary but might involve operating farm machinery, maintaining equipment, irrigating and fertilising, monitoring the health of livestock or liaising with customers.
Being a Farmer is a physically demanding role and you’ll need to be capable of all kinds of manual labour. You’ll spend most of your time outdoors and have to work in a range of weather conditions. Farmers need to be flexible and should be able to handle a range of different tasks during their day. It’s important that you can plan ahead and work with changing weather conditions and market demands.
There are 5 courses available for people who want to become a Farmer.
Possible job outcomes:
Do you work with agricultural chemicals and need the skills to handle, transport, and store them safely? How about the AHCSS00074 Agricultural Chemical Skill Set? It’s a group of nationally recognised short courses that cover the essential aspects of agricultural chemical usage and safety. Competencies include: identifying pests and weeds then determining chemical requirements, identifying different chemicals and assessing their hazards, preparing chemical mixes in accordance with label instructions, safely applying chemicals using a range of application equipment, transporting and storing chemicals according to their Safety Data Sheets SDSs. Enquire now for the list of agricultural career competencies and upcoming enrolment dates. PLEASE NOTE: this skillset is completed as a standalone course and articulates to a full qualification in either horticulture or agriculture..
Average duration: 2 days.
The Bachelor of Science (Animal Science) provides an in-depth understanding of animal behaviour, health, welfare, nutrition, production, reproduction, and human-animal interactions. Students gain hands-on experience with diverse animal facilities, from reptiles and native mammals to sheep and cattle, and collaboration with wildlife parks, zoos, and farms. As human-animal interactions grow, especially in companionship and food production, graduates are poised for diverse careers including animal welfare officer, life scientist, quarantine officer, and roles in research, teaching, and government sectors..
Average duration: 3 years.
A Diploma of Agriculture AHC50116 is for students seeking a career in farm and agribusiness management. This is a flexible diploma and students choose their own study units from the following speciality areas: agribusiness, livestock, cropping, business administration, safety. The Diploma of Agriculture AHC50116 is a nationally recognised training qualification and part of the official Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package..
Average duration: 24 months.
Learn how to prepare your farm for organic certification with the Diploma of Organic Farming (AHC51816). This nationally recognised diploma covers all aspects of organic farming including organic livestock production, soil management, crop production planning, climate risk, weeds, diseases and pest control. Graduate with a fully developed production plan for your agribusiness. Enquire now for the list of enrolment requirements and training dates..
Average duration: 12 months.
Become a supervisor at a horticulture farm or production nursery with the AHC40320 Certificate IV in Production Horticulture. This nationally recognised qualification will teach you the latest techniques in plant propagation and growing as well as a range of leadership and administration skills. The course covers: implementing a biosecurity program, operating within a budget, managing work teams, ensuring site work health and safety, chemical management and safety, scheduling irrigation, developing soil and plant nutrition programs, and much more. Enquire now for the full list of study units, horticulture and leadership competencies, plus the latest enrolment dates..
In Australia, a full time Farmer generally earns $1,350 per week ($70,200 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
The number of people working as a Farmer is expected to drop slightly over the next five years. There are currently 178,500 people working as a farmer in Australia. Most farming opportunities can be found in rural or remote areas of Australia.
Source: The Labour Market Information Portal – 2019 Occupation Projections
If you’re planning a career as a Farmer, consider enrolling in a Diploma of Agriculture. This qualification allows you to specialise in an area of interest such as agribusiness, livestock, cropping or business administration. You could also enrol in a course such as a Certificate IV in Production Horticulture or a Diploma of Organic Farming.
We’ll find nearby campuses and check if you’re eligible for funding in your state.
Here are some potential career pathways within production horticulture. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Production Horticulture
Farmhand
$960 weekly pay
Nursery Hand
Nurseryperson
Vineyard Hand
Agronomist
$1,150 weekly pay
Farmer
$1,350 weekly pay
Horticulturalist
Nursery Manager
Organic Farmer
$1,440 weekly pay
Seed Technician
Winemaker
Agricultural Consultant
$1,950 weekly pay
Agricultural Manager
$1,600 weekly pay
Learn more about Farmer courses in your area.