About the Industry
The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry manages our natural resources. It does this by using land and water to produce food, raw materials, and livestock products. This includes:
- growing crops
- raising animals
- harvesting timber
- harvesting fish.
The 3 largest employing sectors in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry are1:
- sheep, beef cattle and grain farming
- fruit and tree nut growing
- agriculture and fishing support.
Renewable energy in agriculture, forestry and fishing
Renewable energy is increasingly being used in the agriculture industry in Australia. Renewable energy is used to reduce carbon emissions, promote sustainability, and lower operating costs. Some agriculture sectors are using solar, wind, water, geothermal or biomass energy to provide power, electricity, and gas.
Visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website to find out about emission reduction in the agriculture sector.
Visit the Powering Skills Organisation website to find out how Jobs and Skills Australia are working with government and training providers to help develop the skills for our future workforce.
Work in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry
The top 5 occupations employing the highest number of people in the industry are2:
As an employee, you could work in a range of businesses:
Farms: You work with crops or livestock. You may operate and maintain farm machinery. You might apply fertilizer or pesticides to control insects, fungi and weeds. You may work in wineries and vineyards or fruit orchards. Poultry farmers and beef cattle farm workers perform tasks relating to farming, taking care of animals, planting and harvesting of crops. Work can include raising animals to provide food, wool and other things that people need and use. Tasks may include:
- growing crops
- shearing sheep
- pest management
- farming of animals
- fruit and vegetable picking.
Commercial fishing companies: You harvest fish and other animals from farms or their natural habitat. Deck and fishing hands use nets, fishing rods, traps, or other equipment to catch and gather fish from rivers, lakes, or oceans. Tasks may include:
- casting and lowering nets, pots, lines and traps into water
- sorting, cleaning, and refrigeration of catch
- packing seafood
- breeding and farming of seafood.
Sawmills and timber harvesting: You help to grow and log timber from a forest. Tasks may include:
- planting trees
- pruning and removing unwanted plants and weeds
- transporting logs
- fire prevention and management.
Nurseries: You grow and sell plants, or work as a labourer.
Beekeeping: You assist in the honey production business.
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