Role overview
The ANZSCO 363115 occupation, Senior Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker, represents experienced agricultural professionals who perform skilled supervisory and technical work in mixed farming operations across Australia. These workers typically manage both crop production (such as wheat, barley, or canola) and livestock (including cattle, sheep, or goats) on large-scale broadacre properties. They operate with considerable autonomy and may coordinate the work of other farm staff while applying advanced practical knowledge of agricultural techniques, machinery operation, and animal husbandry.
This classification sits within the broader ANZSCO structure for skilled agricultural workers and is primarily used for statistical purposes, migration assessments, and workforce planning. While still referenced in some official contexts, users should note that ANZSCO classifications represent standardized occupational descriptions that may not fully capture contemporary farming practices or specialized regional variations.
Key tasks in practice
While no official task list is provided for this specific occupation, based on its classification within the Primary Production Supervisors and Specialists group, typical responsibilities may include:
- Planning and coordinating daily farming operations across both crop and livestock enterprises
- Operating and maintaining sophisticated farm machinery including tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems
- Supervising and training junior farm staff in proper techniques and safety procedures
- Monitoring crop growth and implementing appropriate cultivation, fertilisation, and pest control measures
- Managing livestock health, breeding programs, feeding regimes, and pasture management
- Maintaining farm infrastructure including fences, water systems, and storage facilities
- Implementing quality control and biosecurity protocols across farming operations
Skill level explanation
ANZSCO Skill Level 3 indicates that this occupation typically requires an AQF Certificate III or IV qualification or at least three years of relevant experience. In practice, Senior Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Workers combine formal training with extensive practical experience to perform their duties.
The skill level reflects the technical knowledge required to operate complex machinery, understand agricultural science principles, manage livestock health, and supervise other workers. These positions typically involve problem-solving, coordination of multiple tasks, and responsibility for valuable assets and production outcomes. The classification acknowledges that while some workers may have formal qualifications, many acquire their skills through years of on-the-job experience in the agricultural sector.
Industry context
Senior Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Workers are primarily employed in the Australian agricultural sector, particularly in mixed farming operations that combine crop growing with livestock production. According to ANZSIC cross-references, this occupation is associated with industries including:
- ANZSIC 0529: Other Livestock Farming (including sheep, beef cattle, and mixed livestock)
- ANZSIC 0199: Other Crop Growing (covering various broadacre crops)
- ANZSIC 3319: Other Agriculture and Fishing Support Services
These workers are typically found on large-scale farming properties across Australia's wheat-sheep zones, particularly in regions like the Murray-Darling Basin, Western Australia's wheatbelt, and mixed farming areas of Victoria and South Australia. Employment may be with family farming enterprises, corporate agricultural operations, or through contract farming arrangements.