How to become an Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator

Operates agricultural and horticultural plant to clear and cultivate land, and sow, fertilise, spray and harvest crops.

Main tasks

• Prepares and positions agricultural and horticultural plant for operation
• Operates tractor-drawn and self-propelled plant to plough land and sow, fertilise, cultivate and harvest crops, and avoids damaging crops
• Calibrates and monitors agricultural and horticultural plant performance, including adjusting speed, height and depth of implements, as well as distribution or collection rates as needed

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Production (AHC33924); Certificate III in Production Horticulture (AHC30624); Certificate II in Production Horticulture (AHC20324); Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30122); Certificate III in Rural Operations (AHC32822)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $72,956 a year
• About 16,100 people work in this job group now, and about 16,800 are projected by 2035. (+4%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Logging Plant Operator
• Backhoe Operator
• Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
• Bulldozer Operator
• Excavator Operator
• Grader Operator

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Production; Certificate III in Production Horticulture.

How much does an Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $72,956 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 16,100 to about 16,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator?

Usually not. Only 5% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Production; Certificate III in Production Horticulture.

Will AI change the work of an Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04