Ground Person/ Farm Hand
The University of Queensland
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Onsite
Property and Facilities Division
Full-time, permanent position
Base salary will be in the range $68,939 - $75,882 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 3)
This role will be based at our Pinjarra Hills Research Facility
About This Opportunity
We are
seeking
a reliable and practical Grounds Person / Farm Hand to join a stable, permanent role supporting the day-to-day operation of the Pinjarra Hills Research Facility.
This is a hands-on, site-based role where you will work from one consistent location,
maintaining
high-quality external environments across a large operational estate. You will work closely with the Client Facilities Coordinator,
researchers
and service teams to ensure land, grounds and facilities are safe,
functional
and well presented.
This opportunity is well suited to someone who enjoys outdoor, practical work, values job
security
and predictable hours, and takes pride in delivering quality outcomes as part of a supportive team.
Key responsibilities will include:
Grounds and estate maintenance including mowing, slashing, brush cutting, weed spraying, fencing repairs, hedge trimming and tree maintenance
Operating and maintaining grounds and farm machinery safely, including tractors, mowers, sprayers, utility vehicles and tools
Supporting research and estate activities, including preparing plots, assisting fieldwork and maintaining designated study areas
Maintaining buildings, paths, equipment and operational areas in line with safety, biosecurity and environmental standards
About Pinjarra Hills Research Facility
Pinjarra Hills is a 282-hectare research facility
located
in Brisbane, supporting research activities that cannot be accommodated elsewhere at the University. The site enables agricultural, environmental and specialist research within a large-scale operational setting.
The facility includes extensive open land, rural infrastructure, sheds, workshops, services
buildings
and specialist research facilities. Its size, diversity and purpose create a unique working environment that requires a practical, coordinated approach to grounds,
estate
and operational maintenance, working closely with researchers, service
teams
and the Client Facilities Coordinator.
Why Join the UQ Property and Facilities Team?
Working in a site-based grounds and estate role at UQ offers stability,
consistency
and
strong support
within a collaborative environment.
Work-life balance you can count on:
Set work hours, allowing flexibility for family and personal commitments
One consistent work location, with no unpredictable travel between job sites
A supportive and collaborative team environment
Access to appropriate equipment, facilities and amenities to support your work
Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of
benefits and rewards
are available, such as:
Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave
17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading
Access to flexible working arrangements including purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight
Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program
Salary packaging options
About You
Experience working in grounds maintenance, farm, estate or research environments
Qualifications equivalent to a Certificate III in Horticulture, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and training
A current open Queensland Driver’s Licence (HR or MR licence desirable)
A commercial chemical operations licence, with knowledge of safe handling and application
Experience operating grounds and farm machinery such as tractors, mowers, sprayers and utility vehicles
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing daily tasks efficiently across a large site
Strong communication skills and the ability to liaise respectfully with staff, researchers, contractors and visitors
Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia,
qualifications, criminal history check
s.
You must
maintain
unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.
Questions?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact
Michael Gower, Supervisor Grounds at
For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au,
stating
the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
Want to Apply?
We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:
- Resume
Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues.
We're
dedicated to
equity, diversity, and inclusion
, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community.
We're
committed to attracting,
retaining
, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples.
If you require an alternative method to
submit
your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact
.
Other Information
UQ is committed to a fair,
equitable
and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face
additional
barriers and challenges which have
impacted
and/or continue to
impact
their career trajectory. Candidates who
don’t
meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and
demonstrate
their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance
relative
to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.
Applications close at
11.00pm Friday 13th February 2026 AEST (R
60447
).
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