Agriculture

Plant Farming

• Grain growing
• Fodder growing
• Sugar cane growing
• Cotton growing
• Seed production

Livestock Farming

• Sheep farming
• Beef cattle farming
• Dairy cattle farming
• Poultry farming
• Other livestock farming

Agricultural Support Services

• Shearing and classing
• Grain storage services
• Wholesaling
• Irrigation

In 2016, the industry included more than 164,429 agricultural businesses, 69% of which were non-employing farms (not employing staff), and 29% of which were employing fewer than 20 people.

 Around 75% of these businesses were beef cattle farmers, mixed-crop livestock farmers, fruit growers, cereal grain growers, sheep farmers, sheep or beef farmers and dairy cattle farmers.

_{Source: Skills Impact Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Industry Sector Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work 2017–2020}

There are 288,600 people working in the agricultural sector and a further 17,000 working in agricultural wholesaling.

• The agriculture and conservation and land management industry sector is a significant employer of people in regional and remote areas. The industry workforce is ageing, with agriculture businesses employ a significant number of people aged between 60 and 80+. Just over half of the agriculture sector workforce was aged 50 years and over in 2011.

_{Source: Skills Impact Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Industry Sector Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work 2017–2020}

• There are 58,400 farm workers in employment across all sectors, and this number is expected to fall slightly by 2020. Women make up below 40% of the workforce, and about 65% of work is full time. The most common level of education attainment is Year 11.
• There are 142,000 farmers in employment, and this number is expected to fall slightly by 2020. Women make up less than around 33% of the workforce.  More than 75% of work is full time. The most common level of education attainment is Year 11.

^{Source: Australian Government Job Outlook website}

Opportunities in the sector are provided by the importance of food security globally and by higher demand for food in expanding markets, such as the Asia Pacific region.

Climate change and soil degradation are factors that agricultural producers will increasingly have to deal with. There are opportunities for adapting to the impacts of changed weather patterns through improved farming technologies and practices.

Agriculture is an important part of the Australian economy and is a net exporter sector. Opportunities to increase market access can extend beyond free trade agreements, through the building of brand awareness of Australia as a globally recognised producer of safe, clean food and fibre products.

_{Source: Skills Impact Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Industry Sector Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work 2017–2020}

Agricultural Consultant/Scientists have been identified as being a recruitment difficulty on the Skill Shortage List Australia, Department of Jobs and Small Business. There are large numbers of qualified applicants overall but significant proportions of vacancies are unfilled due to factors like location and specialist skill needs.

Work Health and Safety (WHS) is important in all workplaces. Safe Work Australia provides links to all state and territory information.