Mixed Production and Aquaculture Farmers

Manages diversified farming operations combining crop production, livestock raising, and aquaculture (fish or shellfish farming) in a single enterprise. Plans and oversees breeding, feeding, harvesting, and processing schedules across multiple production systems whilst maintaining regulatory compliance with biosecurity, environmental, and animal welfare standards. Operates within Australian agricultural markets and manages financial viability across heterogeneous production cycles.

Monitor water quality parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature) in aquaculture ponds or tanks and adjust aeration or treatment systems accordingly. Plan breeding cycles and stocking densities for aquaculture species (finfish, crustaceans, molluscs) to optimise growth rates and minimise mortality. Coordinate feed procurement, storage, and distribution schedules for both livestock and aquaculture stock, managing supplier relationships and feed quality. Oversee crop rotation and soil management practices across cultivated land whilst integrating effluent from aquaculture systems for nutrient cycling. Maintain compliance with Department of Agriculture livestock identification and traceability requirements (NLIS) and aquaculture licensing conditions. Implement biosecurity protocols including disease surveillance, quarantine procedures, and vaccination schedules across mixed production systems. Harvest and process aquaculture products (netting, grading, packing, freezing) and coordinate transport to markets or processing facilities. Prepare production records and financial statements for tax and grant reporting, including lodgement with relevant state agricultural departments.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). 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.

You're juggling three production systems at once with completely different rhythms and failure modes. A crop disease, fish kill, and livestock illness can all hit simultaneously and you're the only person making those calls. Income is lumpy and seasonal across all three, making budgeting brutal. Aquaculture licensing is state-based and constantly tightening on water use and effluent, so regulatory costs keep climbing. Most career changers find the physical workload and weather risk harder than they expected.

Some integrated farms exist inland near major rivers. Most are small, family-run businesses rather than large employers, so you'll need to network directly with farmers or check state agriculture department licensing records to find real opportunities.

• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Agroforestrycore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Crop production principlescore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Inventory Trackingcore
• Plant disease controlcore
• Plant harvest methodscore
• Plant speciescore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Soil structurecore
• Supplier Communicationcore
• Technical equipment for crop productioncore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Types of storage facilitiescore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Agronomical production principles
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Data Entry and Accuracy
• Digital Literacy
• Ecology
• Environmental legislation in agriculture and forestry
• Fertilisation principles
• Health and safety regulations
• Invoicing and Billing Administration
• Leadership principles
• Maintain storage facilities
• Maintain technical equipment
• Manage production enterprise
• Negotiation
• Organic farming
• Pest control in plants
• Process Improvement Identification
• Project management principles
• Research and Analysis
• Stock Counting and Stocktake
• Written 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