How to become a Sugar Mill Worker

Operates machines and performs routine tasks to extract juice from sugar cane to make granular sugar and molasses.

Main tasks

• Cleans and prepares sugar cane for processing
• Operates and maintains machines used in the extraction of juice from sugar cane
• Monitors and controls the production of granular sugar and molasses
• Monitors and adjusts the temperature and pressure of the extraction process
• Collects and tests samples of juice for quality control purposes

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Food Processing (FBP30121); Certificate II in Food Processing (FBP20122); Certificate III in Rice Processing (FBP30721); Certificate I in Food Processing (FBP10121)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $85,644 a year
• About 28,100 people work in this job group now, and about 28,900 are projected by 2035. (+2.8%)
• 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

• Baking Factory Worker
• Brewery Worker
• Coffee Roaster
• Confectionery Maker
• Dairy Products Factory Worker
• Fruit and Vegetable Factory Worker

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Sugar Mill Worker?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Food Processing; Certificate II in Food Processing.

How much does a Sugar Mill Worker earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $85,644 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Sugar Mill Worker a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 3% by 2035, from about 28,100 to about 28,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Sugar Mill Worker?

Usually not. Only 4% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Food Processing; Certificate II in Food Processing.

Will AI change the work of a Sugar Mill Worker?

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