Victoria Farm Jobs

260 Agricultural Opportunities Available

Discover harvest, livestock, dairy and specialized agricultural positions across Victoria

Join Victoria’s $20.2 billion agricultural sector with 69,000 jobs across dairy, horticulture, grain production, and emerging organic farming opportunities.

Victoria Farm Jobs

List of 260 Farm Jobs

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What are farm jobs in Victoria, Australia?

Farm jobs in Victoria, Australia are employment opportunities in the state’s $20.2 billion agricultural sector that employs 69,000 people in primary production and an additional 85,000 in food and beverage manufacturing. These positions range from seasonal fruit picking and grain harvesting to permanent roles in dairy farming, livestock management, and machinery operation. Victoria’s agricultural sector includes 21,300 farm businesses managing 11 million hectares, representing 50% of the state’s total land area. The industry encompasses diverse roles in horticulture, viticulture, grain production, livestock farming, and emerging organic agriculture sectors, with more than 75% of agricultural employment located in regional Victoria.

How to find seasonal farm work in Victoria?

To find seasonal farm work in Victoria, there are 5 steps:

Firstly, check specialized job platforms including Backpacker Job Board (28,000+ postings), The 88th Day app, and Agriculture Victoria’s Jobs Victoria online hub which offers employer job posting and candidate screening services.

Secondly, contact working hostels that provide accommodation and job placement services, particularly in regional areas like Shepparton, Mildura, and the Yarra Valley, where thousands of seasonal positions become available annually.

Thirdly, join Facebook groups such as “Victoria Farmwork & 88 days - Backpacker, Work and” to connect with employers and other workers sharing real-time job opportunities.

Fourthly, apply directly to major agricultural employers like GrainCorp, Viterra, and CBH Group during their recruitment periods (typically July to September for grain harvest) when 102+ grain harvest positions become available.

Fifthly, verify that labour hire companies are licensed through the Labour Hire Authority website to avoid scams and ensure fair employment conditions, as Victoria has the highest farm recruitment difficulty rate at 70%.

What is the 88-day farm work requirement for backpackers in Victoria?

The 88-day farm work requirement for backpackers in Victoria is a mandatory work period that Working Holiday Visa holders must complete to qualify for a second-year visa extension. This requirement involves working 88 days in specified industries, with agriculture being the most common choice. Workers must complete 7-8 hours per day to count as a full working day, earning at least $29.33 per hour for casual work or $23.46 per hour for full-time positions. The farm postcode must be outside city limits in regional Victoria. Critical documentation includes collecting all payslips as proof for immigration authorities. Eligible agricultural work includes fruit picking, packing, general farm labor, dairy work, and grain harvesting positions throughout regional Victoria, with many employers offering accommodation as part of the employment package.

What are the types of agricultural jobs available in Victoria?

The types of agricultural jobs available in Victoria include:

  • Seasonal Fruit Work: Fruit picking (cherries, stone fruits, apples, pears), packing and sorting, pruning, and thinning operations from November to May, paying $29.33/hour casual or piecework rates
  • Grain Harvest Positions: Combine harvester operators, chaser bin drivers, weighbridge operators, grain samplers, and laboratory assistants during harvest season, with 102 positions typically available
  • Dairy Farming Roles: Milking staff, dairy cattle farm operators earning from $65,835 annually, and general dairy hands with early morning shifts starting around 3 am, averaging $25/hour
  • Livestock Management: Station hands, stockmen, stud managers, bore runners, and mixed livestock farm workers earning average weekly wages of $965
  • Machinery Operation: Tractor drivers (276 positions in Victoria), header operators, spray rig operators earning $74,000-$80,000 annually or $1,042 weekly
  • Vineyard & Winery Work: Grape pickers, cellar hands, vineyard workers (93 positions available), and harvest team members during vintage season
  • Organic Farming: Sustainable agriculture positions (92 positions on Indeed, 100 on Jora), permaculture interns, and organic farm hands in the growing sustainable sector

How much do farm workers earn in Victoria, Australia?

Farm workers in Victoria, Australia earn varying wages depending on their role and employment type. Casual agricultural workers receive a minimum of $29.33 per hour under the Horticulture Award, while full-time employees earn at least $23.46 per hour. Dairy farm workers average $25 per hour according to PayScale data, with full-time positions offering packages from $65,835 per annum plus superannuation and 25% casual loading for non-permanent staff. Machinery operators earn significantly higher wages, averaging $1,042 weekly, with annual salaries ranging from $74,000 to $80,000. Mixed livestock and crop farmers average $965 weekly. Grain harvest workers on 12-hour shifts during peak season can earn substantial overtime rates. Many positions include additional benefits such as on-site accommodation, meals, and professional development opportunities, particularly in remote regional areas where housing can be worth $200-300 per week.

What is the best time for fruit picking jobs in Victoria?

The best time for fruit picking jobs in Victoria is from November through May, following the seasonal harvest calendar that creates thousands of employment opportunities. The season begins in November with stone fruits including cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, and plums, offering $29.33/hour for casual workers. December through February represents peak harvest time for most stone fruits and berries, with employment levels reaching maximum capacity. March through May concludes the season with apple and pear harvests, particularly in Shepparton where large-scale operations require hundreds of workers. The Yarra Valley offers berry picking opportunities throughout summer, while hop harvest positions in Myrtleford begin in early March. Working conditions during summer months typically involve early starts at 6 am to avoid afternoon heat, with typical shifts running 10-12 hours during peak periods, and workers can earn through both hourly rates and piecework arrangements.

How to get grain harvest jobs in Victoria?

To get grain harvest jobs in Victoria, there are 4 steps:

Firstly, apply through major grain companies like GrainCorp, Viterra, and CBH Group between July and September when recruitment opens for the November harvest season, targeting the 102+ positions available annually.

Secondly, target key grain-growing regions including the Mallee region (Sea Lake, Beulah), Wimmera district, and other broadacre farming areas across Victoria where wheat, barley, canola, oats, and pulse crops are harvested.

Thirdly, obtain relevant qualifications such as HR Truck Licence, forklift tickets, or complete medical checks including drug and alcohol screening as required by employers, noting that positions typically offer 12-hour shifts on six days on, two days off rosters.

Fourthly, register with agricultural labour hire companies verified through the Labour Hire Authority website, as they recruit for multiple grain handling positions offering competitive pay rates and potential permanent employment for skilled workers.

What are the requirements for dairy farm work in Victoria?

The requirements for dairy farm work in Victoria include physical fitness for demanding work involving early 3 am starts for milking duties with average hourly rates of $25 or annual salaries from $65,835 plus superannuation. Workers must be comfortable with long hours, typically 38-40+ hours weekly, with some farms operating Monday to Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm and Friday 7:30am-3pm schedules. No formal qualifications are usually required, though experience with livestock handling and milking equipment is advantageous. With 41 current dairy farm vacancies in Victoria, employers increasingly prioritize workplace safety, with some like Aurora Dairies winning WorkSafe Victoria awards for their safety commitment and fatigue management programs. Workers should expect physically demanding tasks including milking cows, feeding livestock, cleaning milking bays, and general farm maintenance. Many positions offer on-site accommodation in farmhouses or workers’ lodges, professional development opportunities, and comprehensive benefit packages including the 25% casual loading for non-permanent positions.

Where are the main agricultural regions in Victoria?

The main agricultural regions in Victoria include:

  • Mallee Region: Major grain-growing area including Sea Lake and Beulah, specializing in wheat, barley, and canola production with Shannon Bros offering casual employment from mid-November
  • Shepparton Area: Known for fruit production, particularly apple orchards and stone fruit operations employing thousands during harvest season
  • Yarra Valley: Premier berry-growing region and wine production area close to Melbourne with year-round employment opportunities
  • Mildura Region: Significant horticultural area for citrus, grapes, and dried fruits with year-round employment and tractor driver positions at $74,000-$80,000 annually
  • Swan Hill: Mixed farming region with grain, horticulture, and livestock operations offering diverse employment opportunities
  • Wimmera District: Intensive sheep breeding and broadacre cropping region seeking Senior Station Hands and livestock workers
  • Hamilton Area: Leading sheep breeding and fattening businesses in southwest Victoria with 262 sheep-related jobs available
  • Warrnambool: Major dairy farming region with numerous cattle operations and 41 current dairy vacancies
  • Cobram: Large fruit-growing area on the Murray River, 250 km north of Melbourne, offering seasonal and permanent positions

What are organic farming job opportunities in Victoria?

Organic farming job opportunities in Victoria are expanding rapidly with unprecedented demand for organic produce driving sector growth and employment. Currently, 92 organic farming and sustainability positions are advertised in Victoria through Indeed, with 100 organic farm jobs listed on Jora, indicating strong employment prospects. Positions include organic farm hands earning standard agricultural wages, sustainable farming apprentices with live-on-farm arrangements, permaculture and regenerative farming interns receiving accommodation and stipends, and market hands for farmers’ markets sales. Northstar Organics (10-acre certified organic farm) and Oloron Market Garden in Langford actively recruit seasonal workers. The National Environment Centre offers educational pathways through courses in Agroecology, Organic Farming, and Permaculture for career development. Volunteer opportunities exist through WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) providing accommodation and meals in exchange for 4-6 hours daily farm help. The Food For Change Foundation in Mount Martha offers volunteer positions for harvesting, weeding, and planting. This growing sector attracts workers interested in sustainable agriculture practices and environmental stewardship, with many positions offering accommodation worth $200-300 weekly, meals, training stipends, and valuable hands-on experience in regenerative farming systems.

What is the current employment outlook for agriculture jobs in Victoria?

The current employment outlook for agriculture jobs in Victoria shows strong demand despite challenges, with 70% of farms experiencing recruitment difficulties - the highest rate in Australia. The sector employs 274,900 people nationally (up 6.7% year-on-year), with Victoria contributing 69,000 primary production jobs and 85,000 food manufacturing positions. Labor use declined 22% from 2019-20 to 2021-22 due to pandemic impacts, creating ongoing shortages and opportunities for job seekers. The Victorian Government supports employment through the $6 million Seasonal Workforce Accommodation Program and Jobs Victoria online hub. Export performance remains strong with Victoria being Australia’s largest food and fibre exporter by value (24% of national total), ensuring continued employment growth. Current job listings show 28,000+ agricultural positions across platforms, with specific opportunities including 276 tractor driver jobs, 262 sheep-related positions, 102 grain harvest jobs, 93 vineyard positions, and 41 dairy vacancies, indicating robust employment opportunities across all agricultural sectors.