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Rural and related industries contribute around 3.2 per cent of Australia's GDP and 24 per cent of export revenue (2002-03 figures). Collectively, the rural sector employs between 374,000 and 400,000 people, most of whom live and work in regional and rural areas in:

• Rural production (mainly crop and livestock enterprises)
• Amenity horticulture
• Conservation and land management
• Animal care and management (including veterinary nursing and companion animals)

The main characteristic of the rural/agricultural workforce is the predominance of family-owned and managed businesses. Corporate farming is just a small part of the total industry. It is concentrated mainly, but not exclusively, in the dry-land pastoral regions of Australia. As the necessary capital required to own and operate an agricultural business increases there is a trend towards company-based structures, particularly in the eastern states. This is providing new opportunities for career managers of large, well improved and financed farming businesses.

The specialised nature and high costs of farming machinery have created opportunities for people to specialise. Contract harvesters and sprayers are examples of highly skilled operators using modern equipment to provide a service at a cheaper rate and in a more timely fashion than the farmers themselves.

There has been a trend toward specialisation in intensive animal industries. Whereas formerly many mixed farms were diversified and grew relatively small amounts of several products, including plants and animals, it is now commonplace to concentrate on a minimal number of enterprises that complement each other. This has helped to create more visible and rewarding career paths for a higher proportion of highly-skilled staff.

Links

Industry standing committees web page
 

Training and Qualifications

The Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package (AHC10) covers the broad range of qualifications available for rural and related industries.

AHC10 Training Package

 

Rural industry sectors

• Beef cattle
• Cotton
• Crutching
• Dairy
• Goats
• Grains
• Horse breeding
• Irrigation
• Milk harvesting
• Pigs
• Poultry
• Production horticulture
• Rural business
• Rural business management
• Rural merchandising
• Shearing
• Sheep and wool
• Sugar cane
• Wool harvesting

Beef cattle

Beef cattle production is a major industry in all Australian states and the Northern Territory.

There are two distinct methods of production: in northern sub-tropical areas and in arid inland regions low densities of cattle graze on native pastures on extensive properties. Cattle are often the sole product and most are exported as manufacturing beef or as live animals to South-East Asia.

In settled areas, cattle graze on improved pastures and are slaughtered mainly for the high-quality domestic market. This production method is often combined with other enterprises within a farming enterprise. Beef production is also a sideline from the dairy industry.

Cotton

The cotton industry has developed rapidly in recent years and Australia is now the world's third-largest exporter, with more than 90 per cent of production for export. Key markets include Japan, South Korea and Indonesia and significant amounts are sold to other South-East Asian countries as well as to Germany and Italy.

The development of Australian-bred varieties of cotton and good farm management from the adoption of research findings has seen continuing improvements in yield. Australian cotton crops consistently yield more cotton per hectare than any other major cotton producer.

The crop is grown under irrigation and is also carried out on dry-land farms from Emerald in Queensland south to the Darling Downs and to north-west and central-west NSW. Cotton growing is a capital intensive industry and it usually combines with other enterprises, such as other crops, cattle or sheep. The cotton industry is well organised and highly self-regulated. It has an entrepreneurial culture and is committed to environmental research and monitoring.

Dairy

The deregulation of the dairy industry created notable efficiencies resulting in fewer dairy farms milking larger herds of cows. Better genetic selection and nutrition increased milk production per cow to about 5,000 litres a year.

Milk product is used for immediate fresh consumption or for manufacturing as butter, cheese, milk powder, yoghurt and dairy desserts. Fresh milk sales are proportional to the local population in each state and territory and excess production is used for manufacturing. Victoria is the major milk-producing state with about 90 per cent of its production going to manufacturing. This is almost double the combined production of other states and territories.

Herds in excess of 1,000 cows are relatively common with some exceeding 2,000. These dairy farms require expert management and skilled staff that in turn provide new opportunities for careers in the industry and new opportunities for investors.

Goats

The goat industry is expanding quickly and is of growing economic importance. Recent low wool prices have stimulated interest in the production of alternative fibres, like mohair, angora and cashmere.

Goat meat production - feral and farmed - is increasing quickly as a result of local and export demand.

The introduction of Boer goats from South Africa in 1995 has significantly improved the quality and yield of meat. They are very adaptable animals and their numbers are increasing. Goat meat is exported to Taiwan and parts of the West Indies and live goats are exported to the Middle East.

Goats have different feeding habits from sheep and cattle, being browsers rather than grazers. However, they often complement other livestock production and are easier to manage than sheep. Goats are not susceptible to fly strike although they do need strong fences if they are being run intensively.

Grains

The grains industry is represented in every state and territory. Production includes coarse grains, pulse crops, oil seeds, rice and wheat. Collectively, it is a huge industry employing thousands of people and generating billions of dollars in export income, to which can be added a substantial value-added industry.

The grains industry has successfully competed against continuing adverse terms of trade and subsidised production in overseas countries. It has become more efficient through increased productivity per unit of labour, by adopting new technology and the judicious use of chemicals. The rate of increase in productivity for the specialist cropping sector has averaged in the order of 3.6 per cent per year over an extended period.

The necessarily expensive equipment and machinery used in the grains industry requires skilled operators and excellent maintenance. Much of the training focuses initially on these aspects of production.

Horse breeding

Horse breeding underpins the thoroughbred and standard racing industries. However, a surge of growth in equestrian activities near population centres has greatly expanded the size and scale of the horse-breeding industry.

Pigs

Most piggeries in Australia are large-scale operations and pigs are managed intensively indoors. There is trend to broad-scale production with lower capital cost breeding facilities and deep-litter fattening sheds.

The pig industry is experiencing strong production growth to satisfy expanding export markets. Pig production, usually associated with the grain industry, requires precise management of animal nutrition, health and genetics. The specifications for pig meat must meet high standards, particularly regarding fat thickness. Most pigs are marketed directly to a meat processor and graded for carcass-fat content at slaughter.

Poultry

Poultry production is dominated by a relatively small number of large-scale enterprises specialising in meat or egg production. These sectors are serviced by hatcheries producing the chickens to be used for meat or egg product.

Specialisation and the large numbers of birds produced by each business have led to a high level of automation. However, there is still a need for skilled labour with emphasis on the care and health of birds.

Production horticulture

Production horticulture includes fruits, vegetables, beverage crops and nuts. The industry is widespread and product is grown in all high rainfall regions of Australia and in many of the low-rainfall areas under irrigation as well, particularly in the Murray Basin.

Compared with many other primary products, horticulture is relatively labour intensive, particularly when harvesting and packing. Mechanical harvesting has been developed for wine grapes, but many fresh-market fruits and some vegetables must be hand picked and treated carefully to avoid bruising and maintain a good appearance.

The horticulture industry has adopted new technology such as new irrigation techniques to allow more precise and efficient water use. Cultural practices are changing to make the industry more efficient, reducing costs, increasing yields, and improving fruit and vegetable quality. All levels of operation within this huge industry need to be highly skilled according to their role and responsibility. Quality is of prime importance, particularly for product for export.

Sheep and wool

Renewed investment in sheep and wool is creating higher incomes for graziers. With meat prices at profitable levels and the wool stockpile eliminated, there is a forecast of industry stability. The buoyant outlook has stimulated growers to introduce new technologies for improved productivity and quality. A progressive national decline in sheep numbers during the past decade is likely to be arrested and reversed.

Sheep are usually run in conjunction with other enterprises. The majority are in a sheep/wheat zone extending from the Darling Downs in southern Queensland through NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australian and southern Western Australia.

The sheep and wool industries rely heavily on exports of wool, meat and live sheep. The latter are sent primarily to the middle east with China and Europe being major purchasers of raw wool. The United States is an expanding market for lamb.

Amenity horticulture

Amenity horticulture is critical to the rural sector. Amenity horticulture is one of Australia's fastest-growing industries, closely linked to urban development and lifestyle.

Nursery and garden enterprises employ approximately 30 per cent of all workers in the agriculture industry. As an urban business, nursery and garden enterprises compete in the 'lifestyle' market. This requires specific sets of skills and management practices - base-line employability training, technical development, strategic planning, performance management, change management and retail development.

• Arboriculture
• Floriculture
• Landscape
• Parks and gardens
• Wholesale and retail nursery
• Turf

Arboriculture: Many arborists operate as private contractors; others work for local or state government agencies. Arboriculture involves:

• Maintenance and management of trees in private and public gardens, parks and streetscapes
• Removal and transplanting of large trees
• Protection and rehabilitation of trees under structural or physical threat
• Provision of advice on tree planting and maintenance
• Evaluation and assessment of tree health and monetary value

Floriculture: There is wide diversity in commodity areas and enterprises across the floriculture sectors. The work involves:

• Growing and harvesting commercial flowers, flower seed, foliage and essential oil crops
• Management and maintenance of field and controlled-growing environments
• Post-harvest treatments and production of plant products
• Wild harvesting and processing of commercial flowers, flower seed, foliage and essential oil crops

The industry is expanding with the impact of greater mechanisation, improved marketing, and advances in plant breeding.

Landscaping: There is a wide range of landscape operations. However, one key distinction is between those with a focus on hardscape construction, which is often linked to the construction industry, and softscape development, which takes a broader approach to plant use and landscape development. The work involves:

• Construction and maintenance of domestic and commercial landscapes
• Design of gardens and commercial landscapes
• Rehabilitation and maintenance of urban bushland
• Construction and installation of amenity and recreational landscape structures
• Provision of technical advice and forward estimates on landscape development proposals

Landscaping is associated with commercial construction, hotel and resort construction, engineering projects along transport corridors, new housing developments, and improvements to residential, commercial and industrial properties.

Nursery: The nursery industry has three distinct sectors: production nurseries, wholesale nurseries and retail nurseries. The work involves:

• Propagation, production and maintenance of plants for sales and/or hire
• Wholesaling and retailing of plants and associated products
• Provision of advice on plant selection and garden design
• Marketing and promotion of plant products and services

Parks and gardens: Parks and gardens activities are usually located near to population centres. The industry is undergoing growth as tourism becomes more important and there is greater interest in public health and outdoor recreation. The work involves:

• Management and maintenance of public and private parks, reserves and gardens
• Management and maintenance of natural bushland and community recreation areas
• Management and maintenance of historic, cultural and special-use areas, such as botanic
• Gardens, cemeteries, recreation parks and institutional lands,
• Design and implementation of special plant displays
• Provision of advice for plant selection and use in commercial and domestic situations
• Contract administration and management

Turf: The turf industry has two main activities: growing and selling turf, and caring and management of turf. Turf management work is associated with golf courses, bowling greens, wicket and pitch preparation, racing clubs, institutional and recreational playing fields, commercial growing of turf operations and mowing contractors:

• Establishment and maintenance of commercial and recreational turf
• Design and preparation of sports turf playing surfaces
• Domestic mowing and turf maintenance operations
• Commercial growing and supply of turf
• Management of recreational and sport turf facilities
• Provision of technical advice on turf irrigation, pest and disease control and turf management practices

Conservation and land management

Conservation and land management encompass the environmental issues of land care, salinity and water management. Environmental issues are critical for the future of rural and related industries. The degradation of inland river systems, salinity and declines in soil fertility have all contributed to the realisation that management of the environment can not be separated from questions of rural production. National priorities for weed control and other environmental threats highlight the importance now placed on land management skills and capabilities.

This training package is currently under review.

Main industry sectors:

• Conservation earthworks
• Indigenous land management
• Lands, parks and wildlife
• Natural area restoration
• Vertebrate pest management
• Weed management

Conservation earthworks: Conservation earthworks is involved in the design and construction of earthworks associated with soil conservation on rural properties, and with erosion and sediment control on rural, urban and infrastructure construction sites. Work can include the forming of farm dams, contour banks, waterways, gully restoration and clearing, access tracks, erosion control works, sediment traps and basins, and the revegetation of development sites.

Indigenous land management: Although originating from initiatives in the training of indigenous rangers for national parks, indigenous land management now covers a broad range of land management skills and knowledge, which may be integrated with skills and knowledge from a range of other areas, such as agriculture, horticulture and tourism.

Indigenous land management is distinctive in that it is undertaken within the context of indigenous culture and traditional customs. In some cases this will require approval from local communities or traditional owners for delivery and assessment of units of competency, and acknowledgment of protocols and parameters governing access to and use of indigenous knowledge and skills.

Vertebrate pest management: Animals that are classified as vertebrate pests represent complex management problems for agriculture and the environment. Their control can involve a range of techniques such as fencing, habitat modification, trapping, pasture/crop management, shooting, relocation, and poisoning. These control techniques are usually carried out under an integrated pest management approach within local, regional, state and/or national management planning frameworks and strategies.

Community coordination and facilitation: Competency standards for community coordination and facilitation focus on the knowledge and skills required to foster, promote and support community development, particularly in rural communities engaged in land management activities.

Lands, parks and wildlife: The lands, parks and wildlife sectors comprise government and non-government agencies with a primary responsibility to manage places and areas of natural and cultural significance. This management is undertaken according to relevant legislation, international, national and local agreements, policies, recognised codes of practice, charters and guidelines. Main areas of work are:

• Conservation of ecosystems
• Working in community conservation
• Managing introduced pests and diseases
• Supporting community education and interpretation
• Responding to emergencies
• Involvement in national and international conservation
• Overseeing commercial, recreational and scientific activities
• Management of properties and structures
• Supporting and overseeing tourism activities in parks
• Supporting indigenous heritage and involvement in land management

Weed management: The work is associated with the management and control of weeds on public and private lands, commercial production systems or in response to broader land management objectives. It involves rural industries, contractors, state and management agencies, bush regeneration personnel and local council staff.

Natural area restoration: Natural area restoration is a newly-defined industry sector which emerged with this training package. It represents a large number of people and organisations engaged in the restoration and management of natural areas, including bushland, forest, arid lands, coastal, wetland and aquatic sites. Work covers planning, management and restoration, and management activities associated with increasing the physical stability, biodiversity and/or ecological integrity of an area.

General land management: As the type and scope of work in conservation and land management is very broad and evolving, a general qualification has been designed to support those whose work may not sit easily within the self-defined sectors. These qualifications are broad enough so that with customisation of units, other specialisations can be defined. This in turn will provide relevant outcomes from training and assessment for particular enterprises, agencies, and natural resource management training initiatives.

Companion animals

The companion animal sector employs more than 30,000 people and generates $4.2 billion in annual turnover (2002-03 figures), including pet products retailers, groomers, boarding kennels, pet food and accessories manufacturing.

Main industry sectors:

• Animal control and regulation
• Animal technology
• Captive animals
• Companion animal services
• Veterinary nursing