Crop Farm Workers

Crop farm workers perform manual labour on agricultural properties to establish, maintain, and harvest a range of crops including grains, vegetables, fruit, and specialised crops. They work seasonally or year-round on Australian farms, operating hand tools and machinery under the direction of farm supervisors or managers, and following biosecurity and workplace safety protocols specific to primary production.

Prepare soil for planting by clearing land, removing weeds, rocks, and debris using hand tools such as hoes, rakes, and shovels. Plant seeds or seedlings by hand or with mechanical planters, spacing them according to crop specifications and farm plans. Apply fertilisers, soil amendments, and organic matter to fields using spreaders, sprayers, or by hand according to farm instructions. Operate or assist with operation of tractors, cultivators, and harvesters to till, ridge, or harvest crops. Monitor crop health and growth, identifying and reporting signs of disease, pest damage, or nutrient deficiency to farm management. Hand-harvest crops such as fruit, vegetables, and specialty crops using secateurs, knives, or picking implements, placing produce into designated containers. Apply pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides using knapsack sprayers or tractor-mounted sprayers, following product labels and farm chemical safety protocols. Irrigate crops by setting up and adjusting sprinkler systems, flood irrigation channels, or drip lines to maintain soil moisture levels.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate I or compulsory secondary education (ABS skill level 5). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

Seasonal work means income is unpredictable and can dry up completely between harvests. Physical wear on your back, knees, and shoulders from repetitive bending, lifting, and kneeling is real and cumulative. Pay is low and won't climb much without moving into supervisory roles. Automation of harvesting could threaten job security in some crops.

• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Carry picking work aidscore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Inventory Trackingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Active Listening
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Record Management
• Regulatory and Legislative Awareness
• Stock Counting and Stocktake
• Supplier Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026