The Ultimate Guide To Farm Work In Tasmania
If you’re looking for a job where you can have fun while you earn good money, then farm work in Tasmania may be the perfect job for you.
Tasmania is home to some of the best agricultural lands in the world, so plenty of jobs are available for those who want to experience farm work in Tasmania. You’ll enjoy the freshest air in the world as you gaze at the breathtaking scenery. From lush forests and towering waterfalls to vibrant arts and delicious local culinary experiences, you’re sure to fall in love with the land and its people.
Types of Farm Work in Tasmania
When we say ‘farm’ in Tasmania, we don’t just mean “Old McDonald” farms with chickens and cows (although there are those too!) Instead, the term “farm” in Tasmania is a catch-all word that includes horticulture, aquaculture, livestock, poultry, dairy, wool, forestry, and pharmaceuticals.
Below, you’ll find each type of farm in Tasmania, the time of year farm jobs are available, and the typical pay for each job.
1. Horticulture Farm Work In Tasmania
Tasmania growers are responsible for producing a wide range of vegetables, fruit, nuts, flowers, and grains.
Horticulture Produce
Tasmania’s main horticultural produce farm work is harvesting and packing the following types of produce:
- Cherries
- Apples
- Pears
- Grapes
- Berries
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Beans
- Cauliflower
- Barley
- Wheat
Seasons
Horticulture farm jobs in Tasmania are in high demand between November and May when most harvests occur. Still, some crops run all year, and people looking to work in horticulture can usually find work year-round.
Indoor Horticulture Farm Work
Indoor horticulture farm jobs typically include processing and packing products in a factory or harvesting and planting produce in a greenhouse. The advantage of indoor farm work is that you are safe from the elements. The disadvantage is that it can be repetitive, and you are generally stationary.
Indoor horticulture farm work best suits people who enjoy more repetitive work and don’t enjoy working outside.
Outdoor Horticulture Farm Work
Outdoor farm jobs include harvesting and planting the produce. The advantage is that it can be more stimulating to work in the fresh air, and the landscapes can be amazing. The disadvantages are that sometimes the weather may not be ideal.
Outdoor horticulture farm work best suits people who like being outdoors, moving around, and don’t mind the elements.
Horticulture Machinery Farm Work
People with machinery operating experience and licenses can also enjoy farm jobs by operating tractors and forklifts. Forklift jobs can be in high demand, particularly in the on-season.
Machinery work best suits thoughtful, skilful people with the experience and licenses necessary to operate the required machinery.
Horticulture Farm Work Pay
The pay for horticulture farm work in Tasmania is excellent and paid under the Horticulture Award.
Entry-level casual horticulture farm workers can expect to earn .73 per hour, and more depending on experience and the job, with extra for working outside of ordinary hours.
Check out the Horticulture Award for more detailed information.
2. Aquaculture Farm Work In Tasmania
Aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic animals and plants, usually in artificial tanks or ponds. It is a relatively new industry in Tasmania that started in the 1970s. The ideal climate and the pristine waters around Tasmania encourage some of the world’s finest and cleanest produce. All marine farms in Tasmania are now licensed to ensure farming is sustainable.
Aquaculture Produce
Tasmania’s leading aquaculture produce farm work includes harvesting and packing fish, including:
- Salmon
- Trout
- Abalone
- Scallops
- Oysters
- Mussels
Indoor Farm Work
Tasmania’s seafood industry comprises people working in both marine and freshwater environments. Indoor work on a fish farm involves hatching the eggs, looking after the young fish (called fry), and then caring for the fish as they grow to maturity.
Outdoor Farm Work
Outdoor work on a fish farm involves feeding the fish, monitoring their health, and cleaning the tanks. You may also be involved in grading and packing the fish for sale.
Machinery Farm Work
If you’re working on a fish farm that uses nets, you will be responsible for maintaining the traps and repairing them when they become damaged. You may also operate machinery to harvest the fish or technology such as infrared lighting to stimulate the healthy growth of the fish.
Aquaculture Farm Work Pay
The pay for aquaculture farm work in Tasmania is excellent and paid under the Aquaculture Award.
Entry-level casual aquaculture farm workers can expect to earn .73 per hour, and more depending on experience and the job, with extra for working outside of ordinary hours.
Check out the Aquaculture Award for more detailed information.
3. Livestock Farm Work In Tasmania
The Tasmanian livestock industry is worth an estimated $2.3 billion annually, with sheep meat being the most prominent export. Most of Tasmania’s farmland is used for grazing livestock such as sheep and cattle. Farm jobs in this sector are typically available all year round, although more work may be available during the spring and summer months.
Livestock in Tasmania
There are many different types of livestock that you can work with on a farm in Tasmania. The most common are sheep, cattle, and pigs. However, you may also find farms that raise chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and other animals.
Indoor Livestock Farm Work
While most of Tasmania’s farm work is outdoors, some indoor farm jobs are available, particularly in the meat and sheering industries.
Outdoor Livestock Farm Work
Outdoor farm jobs are the most common type of farm job in Tasmania. Jobs can include feeding and watering animals, herding livestock, repairing fences, and maintenance work around the farm.
Livestock Machinery Farm Work
Some livestock farm jobs in Tasmania will require you to operate machinery such as tractors, trucks, and other large equipment. If you have experience operating machinery, be sure to mention this on your resume or when applying for jobs.
Livestock Farm Work Pay
The pay for livestock farm work in Tasmania is excellent and paid under the Pastoral Award.
Entry-level casual livestock farm workers can expect to earn .73 per hour, and more depending on experience and the farm job, with extra for working outside of ordinary hours.
Livestock farm jobs typically involve working long hours, so workers can expect to work up to 60 hours per week during busy periods.
Check out the Pastoral Award for more detailed information.
4. Poultry Farm Work In Tasmania
Poultry farming in Tasmania is big business. The island is home to over 500,000 chickens and produces 22 million eggs each year.
Poultry Produce
Most farms are located in the north and northwest of the state. Poultry produce is one of Tasmania’s most common types of farm work, with many jobs available year-round.
Indoor Poultry Farm Work
Indoor farm work on a poultry farm typically involves working with the chicks and hens. In addition, your duties may include feeding, watering, cleaning the pens, and collecting eggs.
Outdoor Poultry Farm Work
If you get hired for outdoor farm work on a poultry farm, your duties will generally involve caring for the larger birds. This may include tasks such as herding, vaccinating, castrating, and branding.
Poultry Farm Machinery Work
Operating machinery is another type of farm work in Tasmania that may be available on a poultry farm. This could involve using a tractor to move feed, operating an egg-washing machine, or working with other machinery used in the poultry industry.
Poultry Farm Work Pay
The pay for poultry farm work in Tasmania is excellent and paid under the Pastoral Award.
Entry-level casual poultry farm workers can expect to earn .73 per hour, and more depending on experience and the farm job, with extra for working outside of ordinary hours.
Check out the Pastoral Award for more detailed information.
5. Dairy Farm Work In Tasmania
There are many dairy farms located throughout Tasmania. As a result, dairy farm jobs are available all year round.
Dairy Produce
Dairy produce typically includes tending to animals to produce milk, butter, cheese, and ice cream.
Indoor Dairy Farm Work
Indoor farm work includes caring for and milking cows, cleaning, and maintaining the farm.
Outdoor Dairy Farm Work
Outdoor farm work on a dairy farm includes feeding and moving cows and cleaning out paddocks.
Dairy Farm Machinery Work
Machinery farm work on a dairy farm includes using and maintaining milking machines and other agricultural machinery.
Dairy Farm Work Pay
The pay for dairy farm work in Tasmania is excellent and paid under the Pastoral Award.
Entry-level casual dairy farm workers can expect to earn .73 per hour, and more depending on experience and the farm job, with extra for working outside of ordinary hours.
Check out the Pastoral Award for more detailed information.
6. Wool Farm Work In Tasmania
Tasmania is one of the world’s top producers of quality wool. The island’s primary focus is producing Merino wool, which is used in high-end clothing and fabrics. Farm workers are needed from late November to early February during the shearing season.
Wool Produce
Tasmania’s wool industry is the third-largest in Australia, producing over 19 million kgs of greasy wool each year. Farm workers are needed from late November to early February during the shearing season.
There are three types of wool farms in Tasmania:
- Sheep farms: where sheep are bred and raised for their wool
- Merino wool farms: where the focus is on producing high-quality wool
- Crossbred wool farms: which produce a mix of wool
Indoor Wool Farm Work
If you prefer working indoors, you might perform duties such as:
Your responsibilities might include:
- Preparing the sheep for shearing (brushing them, checking for injuries, etc.)
- Holding the sheep while they’re being shorn
- Packing the wool into bags
- Moving the wool to the wool shed
- Sorting the wool
Outdoor Wool Farm Work
If you’re working on outdoor tasks at a wool farm, you might find yourself:
- Herding the sheep
- Moving them from one pasture to another
- Repairing fences
- Maintaining equipment
- Feeding and watering the sheep
- Cleaning out pens
Wool Farm Machinery Work
If you’re mechanically inclined, you might work on maintaining and repairing the machinery used on wool farms. This includes:
- Shearing machines
- Wool presses
- Lasers (used for sheep health)
- Trucks and other vehicles
Wool Farm Worker Pay
The pay for wool farm work in Tasmania is excellent and paid under the Pastoral Award.
Entry-level casual wool farm workers can expect to earn .73 per hour, and more depending on experience and the farm job, with extra for working outside of ordinary hours.
Check out the Pastoral Award for more detailed information.
7. Medicinal and pharmaceutical Farm Work in Tasmania
Summertime is the prime sowing season for opium poppies in Tasmania. The Tasmanian government issues licences for the legal cultivation of opium poppies to produce medicinal opiates.
An estimated 300 farmers across Tasmania sow between 2500 and 3000 hectares of opium poppies each year. The main growing areas are in the north and west of the state, with some also growing in the south.
Additionally, cannabis is becoming an increasingly popular medicinal crop in Tasmania with the recent legalization of its cultivation and sale.
While it’s not yet as widespread as poppy farming, several local companies are already producing high-quality cannabis products for the Australian and international markets.
As the industry continues to grow, there will likely be more opportunities for those interested in working in this area.
Tasmanian Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Produce
The Tasmanian medicinal and pharmaceutical industry typically produces poppies.
Indoor Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Farm Work
Many farms have on-site packing and processing facilities where products are sorted and prepared for sale. These positions typically don’t require any previous experience.
Outdoor Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Farm Work
Various outdoor farm jobs are available, including picking and pruning the poppy plants.
The opium poppies are harvested in the autumn, and the seeds are collected. This is a physically demanding job requiring bending and stooping for long periods.
Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Farm Machinery Work
Opium farms require tractors to chug up and down poppy paddocks, as well as other heavy machinery to help with the harvest.
If you have experience operating machinery, there may be an opportunity for you to put your skills to use on a farm.
Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Farm Work Pay
The pay for medicinal and pharmaceutical farm work in Tasmania is excellent and paid under the Horticulture Award.
Entry-level casual medicinal and pharmaceutical farm workers can expect to earn .73 per hour, and more depending on experience and the job, with extra for working outside of ordinary hours.
Check out the Horticulture Award for more detailed information.
8. Forestry Farm Work in Tasmania
Many people don’t realize that Tasmania is home to some of the tallest trees in the world. In fact, the Eucalyptus regnans (aka mountain ash) found in Tasmania can grow up to 330 feet tall!
The forestry industry is booming in Tasmania thanks to an increasing demand for domestic and international timber products. Tasmania Forestry Jobs are available all year round, but the peak season is from December to April.
Indoor Tasmanian Forestry Farm Work
Some typical indoor jobs include tree nursery work, sawmill work, veneer production, and woodchip preparation.
Outdoor Tasmanian Forestry Farm Work
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, there are plenty of outdoor forestry jobs available as well. These include tree felling, thinning, pruning, and transporting timber products.
Tasmanian Forestry Farm Machinery Work
Forestry farm work in Tasmania also offers the opportunity to operate some of the latest forestry machinery. This includes harvesters, forwarders, loaders, and chippers.
Tasmanian Forestry Work Pay
The pay for forestry farm work in Tasmania is excellent and paid under the Timber Industry Award or Silviculture Award.
Entry-level casual forestry farm workers can expect to earn .73 per hour (Timber Industry Award) or .89 per hour (Silviculture Award), and more depending on experience and the job, with extra for working outside of ordinary hours.
Check out the Timber Industry Award or Silviculture Award for more detailed information.
How Hard Is Farm Work?
What Farm Work is Best For Backpackers and Overseas Workers?
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a local just looking for an adventurous way to spend your summer or a backpacker wanting to make money while travelling Tasmania, Left Field has the perfect job for you.
If you’re interested in finding the best farm work available in Tasmania, we can match you with a farm that offers fair pay and treats its workers with dignity and respect.