Aquaculture Farmers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Aquaculture Farmers plan, organise, control, coordinate and perform farming operations to breed and raise fish and other aquatic stock.
Also known as: Marine Farmer.
Specialisations: Seafood Farmer, Fish Farmer, Hatchery Manager (Fish), Mussel Farmer, Oyster Farmer.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Aquaculture Farmer. Although some workers have a formal qualification in aquaculture or marine science.
Tasks
-
planning and coordinating the operation of hatcheries to produce fish fry, seed oysters, crayfish, marron and prawns taking into account environmental and market factors
-
monitoring the environment to maintain optimal growing conditions
-
identifying and controlling environmental toxins and diseases
-
monitoring stock growth rates to determine when to harvest
-
transporting fish, crayfish, marron, prawns and sticks of seed oysters to new tanks, ponds, cages and floating net pens
-
directing and overseeing the harvesting, grading and packaging of fish, oysters and other aquatic stock
-
organising the sale, purchase and transportation of fish stock
-
maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity and planning production accordingly
-
managing business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management
-
may select, train and supervise staff and contractors
Characteristics
-
University
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Informal or on-the-job
-
Practical
-
Administrative
-
Enterprising
-
Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
-
Very Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow moderately
- is likely to reach 3,800 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 1,600 |
2012 | 1,700 |
2013 | 2,000 |
2014 | 1,900 |
2015 | 2,300 |
2016 | 4,000 |
2017 | 3,900 |
2018 | 1,100 |
2019 | 3,200 |
2020 | 1,100 |
2021 | 3,700 |
2026 | 3,800 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 79% of people employed as Aquaculture Farmers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 13 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 49 hours per week in their main job. This is 5 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
-
Most Aquaculture Farmers work in the Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. They are also employed in Public administration and safety.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Aquaculture Farmers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.5 | 31.6 |
VIC | 8.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 13.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 16.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 7.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 24.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
-
Around 81% of Aquaculture Farmers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Tasmania and South Australia have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Aquaculture Farmers is 45 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 15% of the workforce. This is 33 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Aquaculture Farmers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 7.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 17.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.3 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 8.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 10.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 45 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Aquaculture Farmer. Although some workers have a formal qualification in aquaculture or marine science.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Seafood Industry VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Aquaculture Farmers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 3.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 15.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 9.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 24.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 16.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 25.5 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Aquaculture Farmers who work well in a team, communicate clearly and who are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
57%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
57%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
55%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
55%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
55%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
55%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
54%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
52%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
52%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
-
50%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
50%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
50%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
50%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
50%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
-
48%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
-
46%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
46%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
-
45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
43%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
67%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
-
64%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
-
63%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
62%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
62%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
60%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
59%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
59%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
57%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
57%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
56%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
55%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
55%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
54%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
51%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
45%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
45%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
44%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
44%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
37%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
57%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
57%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
57%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
-
55%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
55%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
50%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
50%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
46%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
-
46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
46%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
45%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
43%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
43%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
76%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
76%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
71%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
69%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
68%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
67%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
-
66%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
65%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
65%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
64%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
64%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
-
61%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
60%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
59%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
59%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
58%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
57%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
52%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
-
51%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
48%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
86%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
52%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
24%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
71%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
69%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
67%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
62%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
-
62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
57%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
-
99%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
94%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
92%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
91%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
86%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
85%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
81%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
81%
Outdoors, under coverWork outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).
-
79%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
79%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
77%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
76%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
74%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
73%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
72%
In an open vehicle or equipmentWork in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).
-
72%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
71%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
71%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
70%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 11-9013.03 - Aquacultural Managers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.