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ANZSCO 121211Skill level 1Version 5Updated 2026-04-26

Cotton Grower

A Cotton Grower plans and manages the cultivation of cotton crops on Australian farms, primarily in inland Queensland and New South Wales. Australia is a significant cotton exporter, and growers must manage irrigation, pest control, and harvesting for commercial-scale production.

Indicative salary range
$60,000 - $110,000 (2025 indicative)

Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.

Labour market demand

Demand is tied to seasonal and commodity market conditions; regional labour needs fluctuate with water availability and crop cycles.

Occupation list membership

Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.

  • ROLRegional Occupation List

    Occupations eligible for regional visas such as Subclass 491 and 494.

Assessing authority

The body that assesses skills for migration purposes for this occupation.

Visa pathways

Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.

State nominations

States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.

CodeState / TerritoryDetails
NSWNew South WalesView nomination →
WAWestern AustraliaView nomination →

Key duties

  • Plan crop rotations and seasonal planting schedules
  • Manage irrigation systems and water allocation
  • Apply pest, weed, and disease control measures
  • Oversee harvesting, ginning preparation, and sale of cotton bales

Skills required

  • Knowledge of cotton agronomy and soil management
  • Irrigation and water resource management
  • Pest and disease identification and control
  • Farm business management and recordkeeping

Typical qualifications pathway

A Certificate III or IV in Agriculture or a relevant degree is common. VETASSESS assesses qualifications for migration purposes.

Visa & occupation list information

Listed only on the ROL, this occupation is eligible for subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) only, requiring migrants to live and work in a designated regional area For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.

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Occupation record last reviewed by editorial team: