Agricultural, Forestry and Horticultural Plant Operators play a crucial role in the agricultural, forestry, and horticultural industries in Australia. These professionals are responsible for operating various types of machinery and equipment to clear and cultivate land, sow and harvest crops, fell trees, and move logs.

Indicative Skill Level

The skill level required for Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operators is commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below:

In Australia:

• AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

• NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In some instances, additional on-the-job training and experience may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may also be necessary for certain roles.

Tasks Include:

• Preparing and positioning plant for operation
• Operating tractor-drawn and self-propelled plant to plough land, sow, fertilize, cultivate, and harvest crops while avoiding damage to the crops
• Calibrating and monitoring plant performance, including adjusting speed, height, and depth of implements, as well as distribution or collection rates as needed
• Operating plant to hold, lift, and cut trees
• Operating attachments to lift, swing, release, and sort trees and logs, as well as auxiliary plant such as chipping machines and log splitting machines
• Feeding felled trees into processors to strip limbs and cut into logs, and loading logs onto stockpiles and trucks
• Keeping production and work records, as well as writing work reports
• Servicing plant and performing minor repairs

Occupations:

• 721111 Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator
• 721112 Logging Plant Operator

721111 Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator

Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operators are responsible for operating machinery and equipment to clear and cultivate land, as well as sow, fertilize, spray, and harvest crops. Registration or licensing may be required for this occupation.

Skill Level: 4

Specializations:

• Cotton Picking Machine Operator
• Harvester Operator
• Tractor Operator

721112 Logging Plant Operator

Logging Plant Operators are tasked with operating machinery to fell trees, drag, transport, and load logs onto trucks for forestry conservation and production purposes. Registration or licensing may be required for this occupation.

Skill Level:

• 4 Australia
• 3 New Zealand

Specializations:

• Forwarder Operator
• Skidder Operator
• Tree Feller Operator