Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers includes a range of occupations such as Hunter-Trappers and Pest Controllers.
Tasks
-
hunts, traps and shoots animals for food, pelts, research and for pest control registration or licensing may be required
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applies pest or weed management techniques to kill and control pests or weeds in domestic, commercial and industrial areas, roadsides, and private and public lands registration or licensing may be required
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
-
Administrative
-
Medium
-
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 8,600 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 | 13,400 |
2012 | 10,400 |
2013 | 10,300 |
2014 | 10,900 |
2015 | 10,400 |
2016 | 12,000 |
2017 | 13,200 |
2018 | 17,500 |
2019 | 13,400 |
2020 | 14,300 |
2021 | 8,100 |
2026 | 8,600 |
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 69% of people employed as Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 3 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $1,154 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,092
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,346
Median hourly earnings are $29, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,154 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers work in industries like:
- Administrative and support services
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing
- Public administration and safety
- Professional, scientific and technical services.
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 | Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 35.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 14.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 26.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 60% of Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland and New South Wales have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
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
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The median age of Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers is 44 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 11% of the workforce. This is 37 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 | Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 9.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 18.6 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 25.3 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 11.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.2 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 44 | 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 Other Farm, Forestry or Garden Worker. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in pest management, meat processing or another related field.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 10.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 10.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 36.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 15.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 18.5 | 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 Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers who are fit, reliable and can work independently when needed but also as part of a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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43%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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41%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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41%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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41%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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41%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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41%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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39%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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37%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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37%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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61%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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44%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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43%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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41%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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40%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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34%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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34%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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34%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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33%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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32%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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32%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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31%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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28%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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28%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
26%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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24%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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24%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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22%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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20%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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20%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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52%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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52%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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48%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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46%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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45%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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43%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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39%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
67%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
62%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
59%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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58%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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58%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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57%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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56%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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55%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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55%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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55%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
55%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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55%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
52%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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47%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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45%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
-
45%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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45%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
43%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
43%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
38%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
57%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
43%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
29%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
29%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
-
76%
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.
-
71%
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.
-
67%
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.
-
48%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
43%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
33%
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.
Demands
-
99%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
93%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
93%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
91%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
90%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
88%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
88%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
87%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
84%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
83%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
83%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
82%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
81%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
80%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
79%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
77%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
74%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
72%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
72%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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, 37-2021.00 - Pest Control Workers.
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
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.