Becoming an Agricultural Technician or Senior Horticulturalist can be a migration pathway to Australia 

Recently immigration has made a huge push to try and encourage skilled agricultural workers to assist the farming industry in Australia. The industry is really lobbying the government to get these workers. If you are looking to migrate to Australia, it is really important to be skilled in high-demand occupations such as an agricultural technician or a horticulturist.

This comes in many different forms such as the proposed introduction of a new agricultural visa, but also extends to making pathways for applicants with this skill set in the current visa options.

One example of this is the recently introduced Horticulture Labour Agreement, which allows farmers and companies to sponsor applicants in a lot of different farming and horticulture industry.

Which state has Agricultural Technician on their State Occupation List?

However, certain states, such as South Australia have gone a step further and included the occupations of Agricultural Technician on their State Occupation List. This means applicants that meet these requirements may be eligible to submit their interest for the Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 491).

In order to meet the requirements for this visa, you must meet the Skill Assessment Requirements and meet the State Migration Requirements.

For example, the occupation of Agricultural Technician is currently listed on the South Australia List.

If you look at the website, you can see the requirements for the nomination. But essentially, South Australia offers pathways through the Currently Working In and SA Graduate Streams. This requires you to hold a relevant qualification and have either 3 months or 6 months worth experience in the industry in Aus.

When we look at the skill assessment requirements for the occupation with VETASSESS, we can see it is:

• This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or higher and in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

In addition to the above, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:

• at least one year of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level,
• undertaken in the last five years,
• working 20 hours or more per week, and
• highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

How does this work? 

As mentioned above, you need to work for at least 1-year post qualification. This is why it could be important to have a relevant study option after the Diploma of Horticulture.

For example, you study the Diploma of Horticulture in your first year, have a short break, and then study a Diploma of Leadership and Management or another course afterward.

When you finish the Diploma of Horticulture course you would look work in the industry for at least 1 year in a highly related occupation – agricultural technician. You can work for 20 hours per week on a student visa.

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Once you have worked for a year, you will then look to lodge a skill assessment. Once you have obtained the skill assessment, you will then look to lodge an expression of interest and ensure you meet the state requirements. You will then wait to be invited by the state to apply for the Skilled Regional Visa.

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I hope you find the above information helpful. Please note, we would always recommend you check with a registered migration agent who can review your specific situation.

If you have any questions. or want to explore your options never hesitate to contact the team at Pathway to Aus on the phone, website Facebook, or Instagram Thanks