Dairy Cattle Farmer
A Dairy Cattle Farmer manages milking herds to produce milk for fresh consumption, cheese, butter, and export dairy products. Australian dairy farming is concentrated in Victoria, SA, and coastal NSW.
Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.
Labour shortages in dairy farming are persistent; the industry actively seeks skilled workers, particularly in regional Victoria and SA.
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.
- CSOLCombined Skilled Occupation List
The merged skilled list that consolidates previous MLTSSL and STSOL eligibility under the Skills in Demand program.
Assessing authority
The body that assesses skills for migration purposes for this occupation.
- VETVETASSESSVisit official site →
Visa pathways
Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.
- 186Learn more →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 482Learn more →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Learn more →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Learn more →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations
States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.
| Code | State / Territory | Details |
|---|---|---|
| WA | Western Australia | View nomination → |
| SA | South Australia | View nomination → |
Key duties
- Manage twice-daily milking routines and dairy shed hygiene
- Oversee herd nutrition, breeding, and reproduction programs
- Monitor milk quality, somatic cell counts, and mastitis management
- Manage pasture systems and supplementary feeding programs
Skills required
- Dairy herd management and milking technology
- Reproductive management and herd genetics
- Milk quality and food safety compliance
- Pasture and fodder crop management
Typical qualifications pathway
Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production) is typical. VETASSESS assesses qualifications for migration.
Visa & occupation list information
Listed on both ROL and CSOL, supporting subclasses 186, 482, 491, and 494. This makes employer sponsorship via subclass 482 or regional visa 491 both viable options For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.
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