Employment prospects The Agriculture and Fishing industry employs around 36,500 South Australians, which is 4.5% of the State’s workforce. About 2,500 new jobs are expected to open up over the next five years due to industry growth and replacement of people who will retire. Future employment opportunities in some areas of the industry are heavily influenced by external factors, such as drought and commodity prices. Most people in this industry farm sheep or beef cattle, or grow grain or fruit. The Fishing and Aquaculture workforce is small when compared to the Agriculture workforce. Most of the jobs are in regional South Australia, particularly in the South East, Riverland, Port Lincoln and Murray Mallee.

1. Agriculture, forestry
and fishing including
aquaculture
Employment prospects Quick facts about this industry If you are at school
The Agriculture and Fishing industry • Most people work full-time. For vocational education in SACE,
employs around 36,500 South Australians, ask your VET coordinator at school, and visit
which is 4.5% of the State’s workforce. • ost people working in the industry do not have a qualification, but
M www.sace.sa.edu.au to check the VET
recognition register. Check the following
About 2,500 new jobs are expected to open up if you want to get ahead a qualification is highly recommended.
industries to see which qualifications can
over the next five years due to industry growth
• Around one fifth of workers are women. be recognised in the SACE. Some of the
and replacement of people who will retire. Future
Certificate III qualifications may be available
employment opportunities in some areas of
the industry are heavily influenced by external
• eople working in the industry are generally older than in
P for Training Guarantee for SACE Students.
factors, such as drought and commodity prices. other industries. • Primary Industries
• Seafood Industry
Most people in this industry farm sheep or • o work in this industry you need to be physically fit, enjoy working
T If you are thinking about VET,
beef cattle, or grow grain or fruit. The Fishing
outdoors in isolated areas and be able to analyse and solve problems. vocational qualifications include:
and Aquaculture workforce is small when
compared to the Agriculture workforce. • Certificate I, II, III and IV in Rural Operations
• arm Hands earn between $400 and $800 per week, while
F
• ertificate I, II, III and IV in Agriculture with
C
Most of the jobs are in regional South Agricultural Scientists and Inspectors can earn between specialisations in beef, dairy, goat, grain, horse
Australia, particularly in the South East,
$1,000-$1,300 per week. breeding, pig, poultry, sheep/wool and sugar
Riverland, Port Lincoln and Murray Mallee.
• ertificate I, II, III, IV and Diploma in Seafood
C
Industry with specialisations in aquaculture,
fishing operations, fisheries compliance,
environmental management, seafood
processing and seafood sales and distribution
Top job openings • ertificate I, II, III, IV and Diploma in Forest
C
Crop Farmers and Forest Products with specialisations
in forest operations, timber processing,
Livestock Farmers
timber truss and frame manufacture,
Aquaculture Farmers
timber truss and frame design
Agricultural and Forestry Scientists
• iploma and Advanced Diploma of
D
Primary Products Inspectors
Rural Business Management
• iploma and Advanced Diploma of Agriculture.
D
skills.sa.gov.au 1800 506 266 10

2. For more information about the qualifications Agricultural technical officers provide Fish farm hands assist with growing and
and where to go, check the job guide: complex technical support and advice on cultivating finfish or shellfish and maintaining fish Occupations in this
www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au aspects of agriculture such as research, farm premises and equipment. Most fish farms industry link to the:
Check www.skills.sa.gov.au to see what production, servicing and marketing. are marine-based and in sheltered waters.
• Animal Care and Training industry
courses are available under Skills for All.
Occupations in this industry include: Occupations in this industry include: • onservation and Land
C
If you are thinking about university, Agriculture and Forestry Aquaculture Farmers Management industry
degrees include: Agricultural Technical Officers Aquaculture Technicians • ood and Beverage
F
• Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences Beekeepers Deck Hands Processing industry
• Bachelor of Aquaculture Crop Farmers Divers • Horticulture industry
• Bachelor of Aquaculture and Marine Biology. Farm Hands Fish Farm Hands • Science industry
Farmer/Farm Managers Fisheries Officers • Transport and Storage industry
Check the three South Australian university • Water industry.
Horse Managers Master Fishers
websites and South Australian Tertiary
Hunters Primary Products Inspectors.
Admissions Centre (SATAC) listed at the front
Jackaroos/Jillaroos
of this guide. For more information about the Forestry and logging
Livestock Farmers
qualifications and where to go, check the job Forestry and logging includes growing timber
Piggery Technicians
guide: www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au in native or plantation forests, specifically for
Poultry Farmers
logging purposes. Others may shape products
Primary Products Inspectors
Occupations in this industry such as railway sleepers, posts and firewood
Rural Heavy Vehicle Operators
Agriculture or gather other forest products such as
Scientists.
Agriculture is the farming of plants and livestock mushrooms and kauri gum used in varnishes.
for food and fibre - it is also referred to as Aquaculture and fishing
Aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic life Occupations in this industry include:
Agrifood. Plants include nursery and flower
products, mushrooms, vegetables, fruit, nuts, under controlled conditions, and includes Forest Technical Officers
Forest Workers
Need more info?
grain and other assorted crops, including vines catching, culturing, farming and harvesting
and grapes. The primary livestock industries marine and inland aquatic life. It includes: Foresters Primary Industries Skills Council SA Inc
Saw Doctors. www.pisc.org/au/careers.html
in Australia are beef cattle, sheep and lambs, • lgal culture, which is the production
a
pigs, goats, chicken, deer and horses. Agrifood Skills Council Sector report
of kelp, seaweed and other algae
Support services www.agrifoodskills.net.au/publications/scan/2011
Farmers and farm managers manage • fish farming
Support Services are as diverse as wool Agrifood Careers
and organise farming operations to raise • shellfish farming www.agrifoodcareers.com.au/home.php?id=1
classing, aerial crop spraying, mustering, seeding,
livestock and cultivate crops, fruit, vegetables • growing of cultured pearls. planting and pruning trees, artificial insemination, www.thejoboutlook.gov.au
and other agricultural products.
fruit or vegetable picking services and operating www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au
tree nurseries for forest plantation.
Career information about specific occupations has been sourced from www.myfuture.com.au and industry skills bodies. South Australian labour market
information has been sourced from ABS Catalogue 6291.0.55.003 Labour Force, average of 4 quarters to November quarter 2011. South Australian
information on Age, Region and Income has been sourced from the Australian Census of Population and Housing 2006. Job Openings information is sourced 11
from the South Australian Training and Skills Commission, (unpublished) 2011.© Copyright 2012 Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills