Farm worker jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship attract applicants from the Pacific, Asia, Africa and Europe every year. Australian agriculture depends on overseas labour for harvesting, livestock, dairy, cropping and packing, especially in regional Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia.
There are three legal doors into farm work: the government-run Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme for nationals of ten Pacific countries and Timor-Leste, the Working Holiday Maker program for eligible young travellers, and employer-sponsored skilled visas (482 and the regional 494) for experienced farm managers, livestock workers and agricultural technicians whose occupations qualify.
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This guide covers each route, current award pay, real employers, recruitment channels and the steps from first application to permanent residence. See also Packing Jobs in Australia With Visa Sponsorship for Foreign Workers and Project Manager Jobs in Australia With Visa Sponsorship – A$150k+ Construction, Mining and Engineering Manager Roles 2026.
In this guide
Farm Worker Jobs in Australia at a Glance
| Role | Country | Typical pay | Visa / permit route | Key requirement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm hand / harvest worker | Australia | A$26.44+/hr (award-based) | PALM (403) or Working Holiday 417/462 | Eligible nationality or age | Pacific workers, backpackers |
| Livestock / dairy worker | Australia | A$27–A$33/hr | PALM long-term, 482 or 494 where occupation qualifies | Relevant experience | Experienced stock workers |
| Farm manager / agricultural technician | Australia | A$79,423+ (sponsored) | 482 Core Skills / 494 regional | Skills assessment, experience | Qualified farm professionals |
1. Types of Farm Worker Jobs in Australia
These are the main farm worker roles employers advertise in Australia, from entry level to roles that may qualify for sponsorship.
Harvest and horticulture worker
Picking, pruning, thinning and packing fruit, vegetables and nuts. Often piece-rate or hourly, with work following the season around the country.
Livestock and station hand
Cattle and sheep handling, fencing, mustering and water runs on stations in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Experience with machinery and horses or bikes is valued.
Dairy farm worker
Milking, calf rearing and herd health on dairy farms in Victoria, Tasmania and south-west WA. Early starts, but year-round work.
Grain and broadacre machinery operator
Tractor, header and spray-rig operators for seeding and harvest seasons. Heavy-vehicle licences add value.
Farm supervisor and manager
Running teams, budgets and compliance. Managerial and technical farm occupations are the ones most likely to qualify for employer sponsorship.
2. Farm Worker Salary in Australia for 2026
Most farm workers are covered by the Horticulture Award or the Pastoral Award. From 1 July 2026, award minimums rose 4.75% and no adult employee can be paid below the A$26.44 National Minimum Wage. Piece-rate workers must also be guaranteed at least the minimum hourly rate.
| Level | Hourly | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual farm hand (with 25% casual loading) | A$33.00+ | Seasonal | Casual loading replaces leave entitlements |
| Permanent farm hand | A$26.44–A$29 | A$52,000–A$58,000 | Award level dependent |
| Experienced livestock / dairy worker | A$28–A$34 | A$58,000–A$70,000 | Housing sometimes provided on stations |
| Sponsored farm manager / technician | — | A$79,423+ | Core Skills Income Threshold from 1 July 2026 |
Sources: Fair Work Ombudsman minimum wages (1 July 2026), Horticulture and Pastoral Award pay guides, and Home Affairs salary requirements. Ranges are indicative only.
3. Work Visas for Foreign Farm Workers in Australia – Visa Types
Which visa fits depends on your nationality, age and experience. Only the PALM, 482 and 494 routes involve an approved employer.
| Visa / route | Who it’s for | Employer needed? | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| PALM scheme (subclass 403, PALM stream) | Citizens of Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu | Yes – approved PALM employer | Official page |
| Working Holiday (417) | Ages 18–30 (35 for some countries) | No | Official page |
| Work and Holiday (462) | Ages 18–30 from partner countries; education and English criteria | No | Official page |
| Skills in Demand (482) | Occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List | Yes – sponsor + nomination | Official page |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) | Skilled workers in regional areas | Yes – regional sponsor | Official page |
4. Companies Offering Visa Sponsored Farm Worker Jobs – Where to Check Vacancies
Large agribusinesses advertise directly. Check their official careers pages and remember that a listing here does not mean they are sponsoring right now.
| Employer | What they do | Official careers page |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Group | Berries, citrus, mushrooms, tomatoes | www.costagroup.com.au/careers |
| Perfection Fresh | Fresh produce grower and marketer | www.perfection.com.au |
| Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) | Cattle stations in QLD and NT | aaco.com.au |
| SunRice | Rice growing and processing, Riverina | www.sunrice.com.au/careers |
| Montague | Apples, pears and stone fruit | www.montague.com.au |
| Mackays | Bananas and avocados, North Queensland | www.mackays.com.au |
| Driscoll’s | Berries | www.driscolls.com/about/careers |
| Select Harvests | Almond orchards | www.selectharvests.com.au/careers |
Australian employers must be approved sponsors before nominating you. Ask the employer to confirm its sponsorship status in writing and check the business on ABN Lookup.
5. Employment Agencies to Find Opportunities – International Recruitment
These recruitment agencies and official job boards are real and verifiable. Contact them only through the websites below; we list websites rather than phone numbers because official sites always carry the latest office contacts.
| Agency / service | Focus | Official website |
|---|---|---|
| PALM scheme (government) | Official employer and worker information | www.palmscheme.gov.au |
| Workforce Australia | Government job board including harvest work | www.workforceaustralia.gov.au |
| Programmed | Agriculture and labour hire | www.programmed.com.au |
| Randstad Australia | Industrial and agribusiness recruitment | www.randstad.com.au |
| Hays Australia | Agribusiness professionals | www.hays.com.au |
Legitimate agencies are paid by employers. In Australia, charging a worker for sponsorship or a job offer is unlawful, and labour-hire firms in several states must be licensed.
6. Requirements and Documents for Farm Worker Visa Applications
- Valid passport.
- Nomination TRN from your approved sponsor (employer-sponsored visas).
- Employment references showing dates, hours, duties and pay, plus payslips.
- Skills assessment where required (e.g. TRA or VETASSESS).
- English test results meeting Home Affairs requirements.
- Health examinations and police certificates (character requirement).
- Health insurance for 482 and 494 visas (condition 8501).
- PALM applicants: registration through your home country’s labour-sending unit (the official PALM work-ready pool).
Visa charges rose around 25% for employer-sponsored visas on 1 July 2026 — check the official pricing estimator.
7. Steps to Get Farm Worker Visa Sponsorship and How to Apply
- Check the occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List or a labour agreement.
- Check the pay: from 1 July 2026 a 482 Core Skills nomination needs at least A$79,423 or the market rate, whichever is higher (salary requirements).
- Complete your skills assessment and English test early.
- Apply to real employers through official careers pages, Workforce Australia or named agencies.
- Employer is approved as a sponsor and lodges your nomination.
- Lodge your visa in ImmiAccount with the nomination TRN.
- Complete health checks and biometrics; do not resign or travel before the grant.
- Check your work rights in VEVO after the grant.
8. Permanent Residence Pathways for Farm Workers in Australia
The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) is the main employer-sponsored PR visa. Farm hands on PALM or Working Holiday visas have no direct PR route. Skilled farm workers on a 494 regional visa can move to the subclass 191 after three years, and 482 holders can transition to the 186.
| Pathway | Key requirement | Official page |
|---|---|---|
| 482 → 186 Temporary Residence Transition | 2 years with your sponsor in the last 3 years | Subclass 186 |
| 186 Direct Entry | Skills assessment + 3 years’ experience | Subclass 186 |
| 494 → 191 | 3 years living and working regionally | Subclass 191 |
| 189 / 190 / 491 skilled visas | Points-tested; 190/491 need state nomination | Subclass 190 |
| Labour agreement → 186 | Only if the agreement includes PR | Labour agreements |
9. Meeting the Eligibility Requirements
Use this checklist to confirm you can meet the rules for farm worker roles before you apply:
- PALM: citizenship of a participating country, selection through your government’s work-ready pool, health and character checks.
- Working Holiday: age limit, passport from an eligible country, sufficient funds and no dependent children travelling with you.
- 482/494: at least one year of relevant full-time experience (482), a skills assessment where required, and English test results.
- Heavy vehicle or chemical handling licences increase your chances for machinery and spraying roles.
- Physical fitness for outdoor work in heat, dust and long days.
10. Applying at the Embassy – Work Visa Verification and Embassy Contacts
Australian work visas are lodged online; there is no visa label. Your grant letter and VEVO record are your proof.
- Department of Home Affairs: 6 Chan Street, Belconnen ACT 2617; 131 881 in Australia, +61 2 6196 0196 from overseas (official page).
- Australian embassies: DFAT missions directory.
- Verify a visa in VEVO.
- Verify an employer on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au) and via its official website.
- Verify a migration agent on the OMARA register.
- Report scams to Scamwatch and underpayment to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
11. Mistakes to Avoid During the Process – Immigration Errors
- Paying anyone for a job offer, sponsorship or nomination — this is unlawful.
- Choosing an occupation code that doesn’t match your real duties.
- Lodging before your skills assessment or English test is ready.
- Working outside your visa conditions or staying unsponsored for more than 180 days.
- Paying a “PALM agent” — PALM recruitment runs through government channels and approved employers only.
12. Settlement Benefits and Relocation Planning
Sponsored workers earn at least the award or nominated salary plus 12% superannuation. The National Minimum Wage is A$26.44/hour from 1 July 2026. Partners can usually work, children can attend school, and Medicare is available on PR (or earlier under a reciprocal agreement).
| First-month cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application charge | Check Home Affairs | Employer pays nomination and levy |
| Overseas Visitor Health Cover | Compare on privatehealth.gov.au | Required on 482/494 |
| Rental bond | Often 4 weeks’ rent | Lodged with the state bond authority |
| TFN, bank, SIM | Free / low cost | TFN via ato.gov.au |
Official Websites to Apply for Sponsorship Visas
- Skills in Demand visa (482)
- Regional visa (494)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (186)
- ImmiAccount
- Workforce Australia
- PALM scheme
FAQs: Farm Worker Jobs in Australia With Visa Sponsorship
Can I get a farm job in Australia with visa sponsorship?
Yes, if you qualify. Pacific and Timor-Leste citizens can join the PALM scheme with an approved employer. Experienced farm managers and some skilled agricultural workers may be sponsored on a 482 or 494. Young travellers can work on farms on a Working Holiday visa without sponsorship.
How much do farm workers earn in Australia?
From 1 July 2026, no adult employee can earn less than A$26.44 an hour, and casuals receive a 25% loading on award rates. Piece-rate workers must still be guaranteed the minimum hourly rate under the Horticulture Award.
What is the PALM scheme?
PALM is the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. It lets approved Australian employers recruit workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short-term placements of up to nine months or long-term placements of one to four years.
Does farm work help me get a second Working Holiday visa?
Yes. Completing 88 days of specified work, such as plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia, on your first 417 visa can make you eligible for a second visa. UK passport holders are exempt from this requirement.
Do farms provide accommodation?
Some do, especially remote stations and PALM employers, who must arrange suitable accommodation. Deductions must be agreed in writing and lawful. Check the arrangement before accepting.
Can farm work lead to permanent residence?
Skilled farm workers on a 494 visa may apply for the subclass 191 after three years in regional Australia. 482 holders may move to the 186 after two years with their sponsor. PALM and Working Holiday visas are not PR routes on their own.
Do I need experience?
Harvest roles on Working Holiday visas usually need no experience. Sponsored 482 roles require at least one year of relevant full-time work, and many occupations require a formal skills assessment.
Conclusion
Farm worker jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship are real for Pacific nationals through PALM and for skilled agricultural workers through the 482 and 494, while Working Holiday makers can work on farms without a sponsor. Confirm your route on Home Affairs, check award pay with Fair Work, and use only official employer and government job boards.
Next, read Fruit Picking Jobs in Australia With Visa Sponsorship and Weekly Pay, or browse all Agriculture & Farm guides and Jobs in Australia.
Disclaimer: ConvertKind Jobs publishes independent career guides. We are not an employer, recruiter, immigration adviser or law firm, and we never charge fees. Nothing here guarantees a job, sponsorship or visa. Rules, salary thresholds and fees change often, so always confirm on the official government website before you apply.