Agriculture, Horticulture and Primary Industries

Agriculture, horticulture and primary industries support major workforces across Australia and New Zealand.

Your pathway may involve a skilled visa, employer sponsorship, a labour agreement, regional nomination or a New Zealand work-to-residence route.

Start with your actual role.

Skillage Nimbus is a registered migration agent in Adelaide. Founder Ashish Thapa is an Australian Registered Migration Agent, MARN 2217972. Call our 24/7 direct line on +61 8 9131 6011.

Explore our Migrate by Occupation hub or Migration Services hub to review related pathways.

Start with your occupation, not the country

The same job title can be treated differently in Australia and New Zealand.

A farm manager in one country may be assessed against a different occupation code in the other. A role may be eligible under an Australian agreement but not appear on a New Zealand residence pathway. The reverse can also happen.

Small detail. Big consequence.

Your occupation may affect:

• The assessing authority.
• The skills assessment standard.
• The visa or work visa pathway.
• Whether employer sponsorship is available.
• Whether regional conditions apply.
• Whether a labour agreement is relevant.
• Whether a residence pathway exists.
• Whether licensing or registration is required.

Job titles are not enough.

Authorities examine duties, qualifications, experience, business responsibility and the workplace setting. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and is assessed case by case.

Start with:

1. Your daily duties.
2. Your seniority and management responsibility.
3. Your qualification and training.
4. Your employment evidence.
5. The location of the proposed role.
6. The current occupation and visa settings.

Do not select a country first and force your experience into a convenient occupation later.

Australia: skills assessment for agriculture, horticulture and primary industries

Australia uses occupation codes and assessing authorities to determine whether your background matches a nominated occupation.

VETASSESS is the assessing authority for many farm manager and horticultural occupations. It may also be relevant to occupations connected with the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement, or HILA.

TRA, or Trades Recognition Australia, may be relevant for some trade-based agricultural occupations. This can include certain machinery, mechanical or technical roles.

Confirm the authority against the exact nominated occupation before preparing an application.

Possible ANZSCO examples include:

• Farm Manager, including classifications such as 121312 where the current occupation description applies.
• Horticultural Crop Grower.
• Horticultural Nursery Grower.
• Dairy Cattle Farmer.
• Livestock Farmer.
• Agriculture Technician.
• Related agricultural, horticultural and primary industries roles.

The exact ANZSCO code drives everything.

It can affect the assessing authority, qualification standard, employment evidence, visa eligibility and state or regional pathway. The occupation title and code must be checked together.

Do not rely on an old list or an online occupation search without reviewing the current official description.

VETASSESS and management-scope evidence

Farm manager applications often involve more than practical farm work.

VETASSESS may examine:

• The size and type of the operation.
• Management of employees or contractors.
• Production planning.
• Budgeting and financial accountability.
• Procurement and supplier management.
• Compliance and workplace safety.
• Livestock, crop or horticultural planning.
• Reporting and business decision-making.
• Responsibility for equipment, facilities and resources.

This is a common trap.

A person may have strong hands-on experience but limited evidence of management responsibility. A reference that only says “farm worker” or “farm supervisor” may not establish the required scope.

Your evidence should explain what you actually managed. It should identify the level of responsibility. It should be consistent across employment references, contracts, payslips, tax records, business documents and other supporting material.

A skills assessment is separate from licensing or registration to work.

Some agricultural roles may require licences or tickets. Chemical use, machinery operation, heavy vehicles and workplace safety requirements can vary between Australian states and territories.

A positive migration skills assessment does not automatically authorise you to perform regulated work.

Read our Skills assessment guide before choosing an occupation or assessing authority.

Australia: visa pathways

The most suitable Australian pathway depends on your occupation, qualifications, experience, employer, location and current government settings.

Possible routes include the following.

Subclass 190

The subclass 190 visa is a permanent, points-tested pathway supported by state or territory nomination.

An eligible agriculture or horticulture occupation may be relevant where it appears on the current state or territory list and the applicant satisfies the applicable requirements.

An SA 190 nomination may be relevant if your occupation, location, work history and circumstances match current South Australian requirements.

For South Australia, review the current SA Skilled Migration settings. Check the official South Australian authority before relying on an occupation list, stream, region or nomination condition.

Subclass 491

The subclass 491 visa is a provisional regional pathway.

It may be relevant to agriculture, horticulture and primary industries roles because many positions are located outside major metropolitan areas.

The skilled work regional visa 491 has regional living, work and study requirements. A later permanent residence pathway may be available if the relevant requirements are met.

A nomination or invitation is not guaranteed.

Subclass 494

The subclass 494 visa is an employer-sponsored regional pathway.

The employer, position, region, occupation and worker must satisfy the current requirements. A skills assessment may be required unless an applicable exemption exists.

This pathway may suit a regional agricultural employer that has a genuine position and needs to sponsor a suitably skilled worker.

Subclass 482

The subclass 482 visa is a temporary employer-sponsored pathway. The correct stream and requirements depend on the occupation, employer and current policy settings.

A role may be sponsored under standard arrangements or through a labour agreement. The employer must also meet sponsorship and nomination obligations.

See our Employer Sponsorship Adelaide service for more information.

Subclass 186

The subclass 186 visa is a permanent employer-sponsored pathway.

The available stream may depend on the worker’s visa history, occupation, qualifications, experience and employer. Some applicants may need a skills assessment. Others may qualify under different arrangements.

The employer must meet the relevant nomination requirements. No permanent residency Australia outcome is guaranteed.

DAMA arrangements

A Designated Area Migration Agreement may support certain agricultural and horticultural occupations in specified South Australian regions.

The South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement has been used to support workforce needs in areas such as agriculture, production horticulture, agribusiness and related industries.

Occupations, locations, concessions and employer requirements can change.

A DAMA is employer-driven.

An individual cannot apply independently without an eligible employer. The occupation must be covered by the current agreement. The employer must also obtain the necessary endorsement or approval before the visa stage.

Check the current requirements directly with Migration SA.

Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement

The Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement, or HILA, can support eligible horticulture employers seeking overseas workers in approved occupations.

HILA may be relevant to roles such as:

• Horticulture Grower.
• Protected Cropping Grower.
• Horticulture Farm Manager.
• Facility Supervisor.
• Other approved horticultural roles.

Possible skills arrangements may include:

• A relevant AQF Certificate III or IV.
• Three years of relevant employment with formal training.
• Five years of relevant employment without formal training.

These are possible arrangements under the agreement. They are not universal rules for every occupation or applicant.

The current HILA terms, occupation, employer and nominated position must be checked before relying on them.

The occupation must be listed or covered by the relevant labour agreement.

Regional Australia is often important in this sector. Subclass 491, subclass 494, a South Australian DAMA pathway or HILA may be relevant, depending on the facts.

Book an assessment of your Australian skilled migration options.

New Zealand: registration and pathways

New Zealand has its own occupation, employer and residence settings.

Do not assume that an Australian assessment transfers automatically.

Dairy Cattle Farm Manager

Dairy Cattle Farm Manager, ANZSCO 121313, is included as a Tier 2 Green List role for the Work to Residence pathway under current Immigration New Zealand settings.

The role may include:

• Dairy Farm Manager.
• Assistant Dairy Farm Manager.
• Dairy Herd Manager.

The Green List requirement commonly includes three years of relevant commercial farm experience.

A degree is not mandatory for this role under the current role-specific setting. Relevant qualifications can still help show competence and support the application.

The worker generally needs:

• A job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.
• Work in the eligible Green List role.
• Relevant commercial farm experience.
• Compliance with the applicable pay threshold.
• Health, character and English requirements where applicable.
• At least two years of relevant work in New Zealand before applying through the Tier 2 Work to Residence pathway.

The exact requirements must be checked at the time of planning and application. Immigration New Zealand can change role descriptions, pay settings and pathway requirements.

Accredited Employer Work Visa

The AEWV employer-side sequence matters.

It generally follows this order:

1. Employer accreditation.
2. Job Check.
3. Worker’s visa application.

The worker does not normally begin with the visa application alone. The employer must first complete the relevant steps.

Other agricultural roles may be suitable for an AEWV. Some may also be affected by sector agreements or occupation-specific settings.

Do not claim Green List status for a role unless the current Immigration New Zealand settings expressly include it.

Skilled Migrant Category

The Skilled Migrant Category may also be relevant where the applicant has skilled employment, meets the applicable points or skilled residence criteria and satisfies the current pay threshold.

The role, employer, employment conditions and evidence must all be checked.

Real requirements, not job titles

Practical traps include:

• The ANZSCO code drives everything. A familiar title may not match the correct code.
• Farm manager evidence must show management scope. Hands-on experience alone may not be enough for VETASSESS.
• HILA terms vary. Qualification and experience arrangements depend on the approved occupation and current agreement.
• Regional requirements matter. Subclass 491, subclass 494 and DAMA pathways may require a specific location.
• New Zealand Green List coverage is limited. Dairy Cattle Farm Manager is not the same as every agricultural role.
• Employer accreditation comes first for the AEWV process. Then comes the Job Check and worker application.
• Old occupation lists create problems. Always confirm the current list and rules before relying on an online article.

Consultation CTA

Need help mapping your agriculture, horticulture or primary industries experience?

Book a migration consultation with Skillage Nimbus.

We can review your occupation, evidence and possible Australia or New Zealand pathways before you lodge.

Australia or New Zealand?

Australia offers several skilled, regional, employer-sponsored and agreement-based pathways.

New Zealand may be relevant for specific roles, including Dairy Cattle Farm Manager under the Tier 2 Green List Work to Residence pathway.

Australia may provide broader options for applicants with a suitable occupation, state nomination opportunity or sponsoring employer. New Zealand may be attractive where the role and accredited employer clearly meet a Green List or AEWV pathway.

Neither country is automatically better.

There is no universal route. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and is assessed case by case. No nomination, sponsorship, visa or permanent residency outcome is guaranteed.

Compare the actual occupation. Then compare the evidence requirements.

For a broader sector comparison, read our article on care sector migration in Australia and New Zealand.

How Skillage Nimbus helps

Skillage Nimbus provides end-to-end migration, education and recruitment support.

We can assist with:

• Occupation mapping against current ANZSCO descriptions.
• Australia and New Zealand pathway comparisons.
• VETASSESS and TRA assessment planning.
• Farm manager management-scope evidence.
• Qualification and employment evidence review.
• HILA and employer coordination.
• South Australian DAMA and regional pathway planning.
• Subclass 190 and subclass 491 strategies.
• Subclass 494, 482 and 186 employer-sponsored pathways.
• New Zealand Dairy Cattle Farm Manager Work to Residence planning.
• AEWV employer-side sequence coordination.
• Skilled Migrant Category planning.
• Employer recruitment and relocation support.
• Visa refusal and cancellation assistance.
• Administrative Review Tribunal representation where relevant.

We work from your documents and circumstances.

No outcome is guaranteed. Current requirements should be confirmed with the Department of Home Affairs, Immigration New Zealand, the relevant state or territory authority and the relevant assessing authority before lodging.

Speak with a migration agent Adelaide about your occupation.

Credentials

• Australian Registered Migration Agent MARN 2217972.
• New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser IAA 202503676.
• Founder Ashish Thapa (legal name Asi Thapa) admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia.
• QEAC, CCG and ITAC certifications.
• Employment Agent Licence issued by the Government of South Australia.
• Member of Business Australia and Migration Alliance.
• Core values: Honesty, Reliability and Accuracy.

Adelaide office

Suite 11, Floor 2, 12 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000

Strictly by appointment only.

Office hours:

• Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM.
• Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
• Sunday: Closed.

Emergency appointment support may be available within one hour, subject to availability.

Learn More

Ready to review your agriculture, horticulture or primary industries pathway?

Book your consultation with Skillage Nimbus.

You can also learn more about our Registered Migration Agent Adelaide service.

For urgent enquiries, call our 24/7 direct line on +61 8 9131 6011.

If you are comparing a migration agent Australia with an immigration lawyer Adelaide, check the adviser’s credentials and scope of service before sharing documents or paying fees.

General information disclaimer

This page provides general information only. It is not migration advice, legal advice or a recommendation for a particular visa pathway. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and is assessed case by case.

Visa criteria, occupation lists, ANZSCO descriptions, skills assessment standards, labour agreement terms, DAMA settings, pay thresholds, licensing rules and evidence requirements can change. No visa, nomination, sponsorship, work-to-residence or permanent residency outcome is guaranteed.

Verify current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs, Immigration New Zealand, Migration SA and the relevant assessing authority, including VETASSESS or Trades Recognition Australia, before lodging or relying on this information.

Frequently asked questions

Which Australian assessing authority is relevant to agriculture and horticulture occupations?

VETASSESS assesses many farm manager and horticultural occupations. TRA may be relevant to some trade-based agricultural occupations. The correct authority depends on the exact nominated occupation and current rules.

Does farm manager experience need to include management responsibility?

Often, yes. VETASSESS may examine management scope, financial accountability, staff responsibility and production planning. Hands-on farm work alone may not establish the required level for a management occupation.

Can HILA accept work experience instead of a formal qualification?

Possible HILA arrangements may include a relevant AQF Certificate III or IV, three years of relevant employment with formal training, or five years of relevant employment without formal training. The current agreement and occupation terms must be checked.

Can agriculture workers apply for subclass 190 or subclass 491?

Possibly. The occupation must be eligible under the relevant current list or pathway. The applicant must also meet the visa, skills assessment, English, points, health and character requirements. Nomination and invitation are not guaranteed.

Is Dairy Cattle Farm Manager a New Zealand Green List role?

Dairy Cattle Farm Manager, ANZSCO 121313, is a Tier 2 Green List Work to Residence role under current Immigration New Zealand settings. The role-specific experience, accredited employer, New Zealand work period and other requirements must be met.

What is the order for a New Zealand AEWV application?

The usual employer-side sequence is employer accreditation, Job Check and then the worker’s visa application. The employer and position must satisfy current Immigration New Zealand requirements.

Can Skillage Nimbus help with both Australia and New Zealand?

Yes. Skillage Nimbus can assist with Australia and New Zealand occupation mapping, skills assessment planning, employer sponsorship, regional pathways, New Zealand work visas, residence planning and Administrative Review Tribunal representation where relevant. No outcome is guaranteed.