BUSINESS careers

TOGETHER, four key agricultural occupations show how varied and exciting a modern farming career can be: Agriculture Worker, Precision Ag Operator, AgTech Specialist, and Agronomist.

Agriculture Workers are the backbone of the industry. Their work keeps farms running day to day, from feeding livestock and assisting with planting or harvest, to maintaining fences, infrastructure, and machinery. Many start through school programs, seasonal work, or a Certificate II in Agriculture, then build skills toward Certificate III, Certificate IV, diplomas, or degrees in agriculture, agribusiness, or farm management. With experience, farm hands can progress into senior roles supervising machinery, staff, and daily operations.

Start at School | Years 9–12:

Agriculture/Primary Industries subjects | STEM subjects (Maths, Science) | Workplace learning/ farm work experience | Part-time or seasonal farm work.

Precision Ag Operators use GPS-guided machinery and digital technology to perform critical farming tasks such as planting, spraying, and harvesting with pinpoint accuracy. By combining hands-on machinery operation with data-driven tools, they help farms improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. This role is ideal for those who enjoy technology, outdoor work, and modern agriculture.

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Start at School | Years 9–12:

Agriculture/Primary Industries subjects | STEM subjects (Maths, Science) | Workplace learning/ farm work experience | Part-time or seasonal farm work.

Agriculture Workers are the backbone of farming operations. They work hands-on with crops, livestock, machinery, and farm infrastructure to keep farms productive, safe, and sustainable. Modern farms increasingly use technology, data, and sustainable practices, including GPS-guided machinery, digital monitoring systems, drones, and automation.

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These operators use GPS-guided tractors, sprayers, and harvesters to plant, spray, and harvest with pinpoint accuracy. Their day may include following variable-rate maps, calibrating equipment, collecting production data, and troubleshooting technology in real time. They work closely with farm managers, agronomists, and AgTech teams to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

The AgTech Specialist takes farm technology even further. This role blends outdoor work, problem-solving, and digital skills, from installing GPS systems on machinery to flying drones, monitoring crop health, analysing data, and supporting software or automation systems. Entry can begin with a Certificate II or III in Agriculture or a school-based traineeship, with pathways into roles such as Precision Agriculture Technician, AgTech Consultant, or Farm Technology Integration Specialist.

Meanwhile, Agronomists bring science into every farming decision. These crop and soil specialists help farmers improve yield, profitability, and sustainability by advising on soil health, crop nutrition, weeds, pests, and diseases. A typical day may involve inspecting crops, collecting soil and plant data, supporting trials, analysing yield data, and recommending sustainable or regenerative practices. Pathways include Certificate III–IV training or university study in Agricultural Science, Agronomy, or Crop Science.

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Start at School | Years 9–12:

Agriculture/Primary Industries subjects | STEM subjects (Maths, Science) | Workplace learning/ farm work experience | Part-time or seasonal farm work.

AgTech Specialists combine technology, data, and farming expertise to help farmers produce more with fewer resources. Using GPS, drones, sensors, automation, and data analytics, they turn technology into practical solutions that increase efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.

Work locations include paddocks, workshops, offices, and digital environments, making the role ideal for people who enjoy both outdoor work and technology.

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Start at School | Years 9–12:

Agriculture/Primary Industries | Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science | Mathematics and Data | Work experience with farms, agribusinesses, or consultants.

Agronomists are crop and soil specialists who help farmers make informed decisions to maximise productivity, profitability, and sustainability. They combine science, field observations, and data to advise on crops, soils, nutrition, weeds, pests, and diseases.

Agronomists work throughout the season — from planning and planting to harvest — providing trusted, evidence-based advice and supporting growers in achieving the best outcomes.

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Whether someone wants to work with livestock, operate powerful machinery, analyse farm data, or apply science in the paddock, agriculture offers practical careers with strong progression and real community impact.

From hands-on farm work to high-tech innovation, these four profiles prove that agriculture is no longer just about working the land. It is about operating technology, solving problems, protecting resources, and helping regional WA produce food more sustainably.

Detailed information on each of these occupations— Agriculture Worker, AgTech Specialist, Agronomist, and Precision Ag Operator—is available in the Career Information Hub section of the Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council website; follow the link to learn more www.fftitc.com. au/handy-info-resources-1