How to become an Agricultural Mechanic

Diagnoses, repairs and maintains agricultural machinery and equipment such as tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems and seeding equipment.

Main tasks

• Diagnoses, repairs and maintains agricultural machinery and equipment such as tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems and seeding equipment
• Repairs and services engines, transmissions, electrical, hydraulic, air conditioning and other systems
• Calibrates precision agricultural system and machinery settings for specialised agricultural practices
• Tests and adjusts vehicle and machinery systems to ensure proper functioning by using diagnostic and digital equipment to identify and troubleshoot issues
• Provides advice and guidance to farmers and agricultural workers on equipment maintenance and operation

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Engineering - Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic (MEM31419); Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology (AUR30420); Certificate III in Automotive Engine Reconditioning (AUR31316); Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology (AUR31220)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $135,512 a year
• About 123,000 people work in this job group now, and about 131,800 are projected by 2035. (+7.2%)
• 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.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Agricultural Mechanic?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Engineering - Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic; Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology.

How much does an Agricultural Mechanic earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $135,512 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Agricultural Mechanic a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 123,000 to about 131,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Agricultural Mechanic?

Usually not. Only 4% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Engineering - Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic; Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology.

Will AI change the work of an Agricultural Mechanic?

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

Updated 2026-10-04